Background to Strategy development

The Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy’s preparation was evidence led and collaborative, with wide involvement from the public, private and voluntary sectors. The work was undertaken in a transparent and inclusive manner, with clear communications at every step.  To support this, a governance and delivery structure was created to ensure that the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy:

• met the requirements of the regulations and statutory guidance
• benefited from the knowledge and expertise within the county, to ensure it is technically sound
• engaged all stakeholders throughout the process, to secure the support and buy-in that is critical to the successful delivery of the Strategy’s priorities

This structure included the following groups.

Project Board – providing political and strategic oversight and governance for the development of the Strategy.

Delivery Group – providing the technical and sectoral advice required to steer the preparation of the Strategy.

Supporting Authorities Group – Supporting Authorities for the Kent & Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy are defined under the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Regulations (2023) as all of the Strategy area’s local planning authorities and Natural England. The regulations require the Responsible Authority (Kent County Council) to take reasonable steps to involve, share information with and have regard to the opinions of supporting authorities. Consequently, this group was formed to provide a forum where Supporting Authorities’ input to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy can be effectively and efficiently facilitated, in a collaborative manner.

Technical Advisory Groups – groups of the county’s experts that focus on specific elements of the Strategy development. Members were selected on the basis of their technical competency and/or experience, to ensure the soundness of the resulting Strategy. The advisory groups were appointed to advise on and support data, evidence and mapping, species recovery, landowner engagement, and broader stakeholder engagement and communications.

Neighbouring Responsible Authority Group – regularly linking with the Local Nature Recovery Strategies being developed in adjacent counties to join up shared priorities where the strategy areas meet and to develop compatible approaches for the Strategy’s development.

Participation in forums and workshops for the wider stakeholder base – across the Strategy’s development, 20 open-to-all workshops were held, with over 1,000 people contributing to the resulting Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The Strategy is indebted to the extensive contributions of all partners and stakeholders who gave so much time, expertise and support throughout the process. Appendix 1.1 acknowledges organisations and individuals who contributed.