Issue - meetings

Consideration of the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of Roadside Nature Reserves.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a review of the Borough Council’s Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) following ecological monitoring undertaken by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership between April and September 2025.

The full report of Medway Valley Countryside Partnership was attached at Annex 1 and the current RNRs were listed on pages 2 and 3 of the report.  The report brought forward proposed future, prioritised, management and survey recommendations.  These recommendations were summarised on pages 58 and 59 of Annex 1.  Following consideration of these recommendations, officers had brought forward proposals to expand existing RNRs (attached at Annex 2) and for new sites (attached at Annex 3). 

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, and the financial and value for money considerations.  On the grounds that RNRs can provide significant ecological and community value by acting as vital corridors that connect fragmented landscapes, helping species move and survive, supporting diverse wildlife and protecting rare and threatened habitats, Cllr Mehmet proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:That

(1)      priority 1 and 2 recommendations within the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership report, attached at Annex 1, be progressed;

(2)      existing Roadside Nature Reserves, shown in Annex 2, be expanded, subject to the exclusion of River Lawn in Tonbridge from the Roadside Nature Reserves programme; and

(3)      new Roadside Nature Reserves, as shown in Annex 3, be created.

(Decision Notice D260040CAB)

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a review of the Borough Council’s Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) following ecological monitoring undertaken by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership between April and September 2025.

The full report of the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership was attached at Annex 1 and the current RNRs were listed on pages 2 and 3 of the report.  The report brought forward proposed future, prioritised, management and survey recommendations.  These recommendations were summarised on pages 58 and 59 of Annex 1.  Following consideration of these recommendations, officers had brought forward proposals to expand existing RNRs (attached at Annex 2) and for new sites (attached at Annex 3). 

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, and the financial and value for money considerations.  On the grounds that RNRs could provide significant ecological and community value by acting as vital corridors that connect fragmented landscapes, helping species move and survive, supporting diverse wildlife and protecting rare and threatened habitats, Cllr Mehmet proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:That

(1)        priority 1 and 2 recommendations within the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership report, attached at Annex 1, be progressed;

(2)        existing Roadside Nature Reserves, shown in Annex 2, be expanded, subject to the exclusion of River Lawn in Tonbridge from the Roadside Nature Reserves programme; and

(3)        new Roadside Nature Reserves, as shown in Annex 3, be created.

This report presents a review of Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) following the monitoring of existing sites by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership.  The report brings forward proposals on future management, the expansion of existing sites and the creation of new RNRs for Members consideration.

Following monitoring of existing Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership, proposals on future management, the expansion of existing sites and the creation of new RNRs were presented for consideration.

The report of the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership (attached at Annex 1) provided a detailed position statement on each site and the success of these RNRs were highlighted by the positive range of specifies identified;  brought forward proposed future, prioritised, management and survey recommendations. 

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Following consideration by the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Community Services

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             Priority 1 and 2 recommendations with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership report, shown in Annex 1 at pages 58-59,  be progressed;

(2)             Existing Roadside Nature Reserves, shown in Annex 2, be expanded; and

(3)             New Roadside Nature Reserves be created as shown in Annex 3

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided a review of the Borough Council’s Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) following ecological monitoring undertaken by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership between April and September 2025.

Members were advised that Roadside Nature Reserves were introduced in 2022 and that the monitoring work had identified a wide range of plant species and invertebrates across the sites.  It was reported that the RNRs were functioning as wildlife corridors, contributing positively to biodiversity and climate resilience.

A number of management recommendations were proposed with the aim of further enhancing biodiversity, including changes to mowing regimes, the sowing of seed mixes at selected locations, the provision of signage, the expansion of certain existing RNRs and the creation of new sites.  It was noted that, subject to approval, the proposals would be implemented through a variation to the Grounds Maintenance contract.

During discussion, Members supported the principle of Roadside Nature Reserves and the wider objectives of enhancing biodiversity across the Borough.  However, specific concerns were raised in relation to River Lawn in Tonbridge, with Members highlighting its established use as an amenity space by local residents and its status as the subject of an ongoing Village Green application.  An amendment was therefore proposed by Cllr S Pilgrim and seconded by Cllr F Hoskins that River Lawn be removed from the Roadside Nature Reserves programme and returned to a normal mowing regime.  The motion was supported by the Committee.

The Committee then considered the remaining recommendations within the report and agreed to support them as set out.  Cllr S Hudson (Chair) proposed, Cllr M Rhodes seconded and it was

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)          Priority 1 and 2 recommendations within the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership report, attached in Annex 1, be progressed;

(2)          Existing Roadside Nature Reserves, shown in Annex 2, be expanded, subject to the exclusion of River Lawn in Tonbridge from the Roadside Nature Reserves programme; and

(3)          New Roadside Nature Reserves, as shown in Annex 3, be created.

*Recommended to Cabinet