Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted
Assess local authority capacity for monitoring BNG commitments and ensure adequate resourcing.
Recommendation
The Government should conduct an assessment of the capacity and performance of monitoring of BNG commitments by local authorities. Local authorities must understand their responsibilities to ensure that BNG promised is delivered and buy in expertise and resource if it is not currently employed. LPAs should be held to account for adequate monitoring of BNG and resourced to deliver it. (Recommendation, Paragraph 118) 91
Government Response Summary
The government states it continues to work with stakeholders to strengthen the planning workforce and already supports local planning authorities with ecology through existing recruitment, skills development, and specialist training programs, but does not commit to conducting a specific assessment of BNG monitoring capacity or new accountability measures.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
105. We continue to work closely with Skills England, local planning authorities, planning schools, professional bodies and sector stakeholders to strengthen the planning workforce, improve recruitment, retention, skills and promote innovation. 106. As set out in our response the recommendation 34, the Government already supports local planning authorities with ecology through recruitment, skills development and specialist training.