Terms of Reference 2026/7
Biodiversity Sub-Committee (Bio)
Introduction
St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council appoints Sub-Committees to carry out specific duties on its behalf. All Sub-Committees must comply with the Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations Scheme of Delegation, and any relevant statutory requirements
This document sets out the remit, powers, and procedures for the Biodiversity Sub-Committee (Bio).
Committee Overview
Remit:
To oversee, advise on, monitor and develop projects, policies, and partnerships that promote biodiversity, habitat protection, and environmental enhancement within the Parish, within the limits of the delegated budget and powers from the Property & Services Committee.
Composition: Three (3) Elected members (Voting)
Two (2) Substitute members (Voting)
Non-Members: All Councillors not appointed to the Biodiversity Sub-Committee may attend public sessions and at the discretion of the Chairman, may speak on an agenda item, but shall have no voting rights and shall not count towards the quorum
Quorum: Three (3) members. Substitute members shall count towards the quorum only when formally substituting for an absent appointed voting member
Chairmanship: Chairman and Vice-Chairman to be elected by the members at the first committee meeting held in each Council year.
Meetings: Twice a year. In the event of an item of urgency, an extra ordinary meeting can be called in line with legislation and Council’s adopted standing orders.
Timing: TBC
Venue: The Brannel Room, 22 Fore Street, St Stephen, PL26 7NN
Reports to: Property & Services Committee.
Administration: Parish Council Office
Term of Appointment: 1 year
Legal & Governance Framework
The Committee operates under the following legislation and policy documents (non-exhaustive):
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, section 40 – biodiversity duty
- Environment Act 2021
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
- Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
- Local Government Act 1972
- Localism Act 2011, including General Power of Competence where applicable
- Equality Act 2010
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
- Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004
- Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977, where cemetery land is affected
- Parish Councils and Burial Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, where relevant
- Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960
- Nolan Principles of Public Life
- Adopted Code of Conduct
- Adopted Standing Orders
- Adopted Financial Regulations
- Scheme of Delegation
- Biodiversity Policy
- Relevant case law
Authority & Delegation
The Biodiversity Sub-Committee is appointed by Full Council and shall operate as a sub-committee reporting to the Property & Services Committee.
The Sub-Committee shall act within the Council’s Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, Scheme of Delegation, adopted policies, approved budgets, and any specific delegation made by Full Council or the Property & Services Committee.
The Sub-Committee may consider, develop, monitor and make recommendations on biodiversity-related projects, policies, partnerships and community engagement activity within the Parish.
The Sub-Committee may authorise expenditure only where a budget has been expressly delegated to it and where such expenditure is within approved limits, Financial Regulations and procurement requirements. The Sub-Committee shall not commit the Council to future, ongoing or unapproved expenditure.
Terms of Reference including delegated duties and responsibilities:
- Governance & Oversight
- Consider matters delegated by the Property & Services Committee relating to biodiversity.
- Make recommendations to the Property & Services Committee for projects, partnerships, and funding applications.
- Review the Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference annually and submit to the Property & Services Committee for recommendation to Full Council.
- Strategic Biodiversity Planning
- Develop and maintain a Parish Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
- Identify priority habitats and species within the Parish for conservation action.
- Project Development & Delivery
- Propose and monitor biodiversity projects, including habitat creation, wildflower planting, tree planting, and pollinator support initiatives.
- Liaise with local environmental groups, schools, and community organisations to support biodiversity aims.
- Ensure that relevant permissions, risk assessments, insurance checks, landowner consents and ecological considerations are in place before any practical biodiversity works are undertaken.
- Where projects involve protected species, trees, watercourses, third-party land or cemetery land, seek appropriate professional or specialist advice before works proceed.
- Financial Management
- Authorise expenditure only within any budget expressly delegated to the Sub-Committee, subject to the Council’s Financial Regulations, procurement requirements, approved spending limits and available budget
- Seek and recommend external funding or grants to deliver biodiversity objectives.
- Community Engagement & Education
- Promote awareness of biodiversity within the Parish through events, publications, and social media.
- Encourage volunteer participation in biodiversity projects.
- Monitoring & Reporting
- Monitor progress of biodiversity initiatives and report to the Property & Services Committee.
- Evaluate biodiversity outcomes against agreed targets in the BAP.
- Link to Environmental Monitoring
- Work within the Property & Services Committee’s environmental monitoring responsibilities (air quality) to ensure biodiversity projects are informed by up-to-date environmental data.
- Where environmental monitoring identifies potential ecological risks or opportunities, consider and recommend biodiversity measures in response.
- Ensure that biodiversity reporting incorporates relevant environmental monitoring findings where appropriate.
Note: Any resolution made outside these Terms of Reference may be considered ultra vires and open to challenge in a Court of Law.