Recommendation 15

HM Government Acknowledged

Local authorities already have a combination of powers and responsibilities across housing, planning, transport, and procurement which gives them autonomy to deliver net zero. Most have passed local Climate Emergency motions, and many have set target dates for net zero and developed climate action plans. The recent Levelling Up White Paper outlines that as part of the devolution framework there should be the opportunity to adopt innovative local proposals to deliver action on climate change and the UK’s Net Zero targets This government is developing a programme of Local Nature Recovery Strategies, working with partners to cover the whole of England with around 50 locally led environmental strategies. An appropriate local authority will be appointed by the Environment Secretary to lead its production, coalescing local partners to create a long-term practical strategy for their local environment. Each strategy will agree priorities for nature’s recovery, map the most valuable existing areas for nature, and map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals. This will create a significant new environmental leadership role for local authorities. This government has also committed in the England Trees Action Plan to produce guidance for Local Authorities to develop their local tree and woodland strategies and supports their planting activity through several Nature for Climate Fund grant schemes. Alongside the Local Nature Recovery Strategies, these efforts will enable local authorities to take additional oversight and responsibility over local forestry policies. NHS Trusts should have an estate strategy which identifies potentially surplus assets. Provided these assets are not required for optimisation of the estate value or reconfiguration of the estate. Local authorities can engage with the NHS Trust and seek to secure said surplus NHS property in the 40 working day period after the asset has been declared surplus.