Contacts: Caroline Bird, ext 6774 email: [email protected]

Alan Williams, ext 6827 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That, following approval by the European Community of the Interreg IIIB BRANCH (Biodiversity Requires Adaptations in Northwest Europe under a Changing Climate) bid, authorisation be given to enter into a contract with the lead partner, English Nature, for the delivery of actions to benefit Hampshire County Council.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the Environment) by gaining increased knowledge of how spatial planning can be used to assist in the management of the effects of climate change on biodiversity, and how this is directly applicable to the role of the County Council, its landholdings and achieving sustainable management of biodiversity for the county of Hampshire, in light of climate change.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not being part of the BRANCH project the County Council would carry out this work as part of its climate change work programme. By entering into the project the County Council will receive additional income from the match funding of the staff time contributing to the work programme. This income will completely offset the other costs of the work.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin