This report seeks to update Cabinet on the significant progress made by the Cabinet Commission presenting a Strategic Business Case (SBCO) for progressing river restoration and to seek authorisation to further develop an Outline Business Case (OBC) for submission to DEFRA and Welsh Government for a Phosphate Trading Scheme, encompassed by a binding legal agreement, which has the potential to lead to further steps including a Water Protection Zone in the event that nutrient reduction targets are not met by means of the voluntary scheme.

That:

a)            Cabinet notes the progress made to date by the Cabinet Commission;

b)            Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment to allocate up to £250,000 of the total allocation of £480,000 to the continued work of the Commission, following consultation with the Chief Executive and the Director of Resources and Assurance;

c)            Herefordshire Council be the accountable body where submissions for external funding are successfully secured from partners;

d)            The Chief Executive is authorised to continue the council’s work with stakeholders and to prepare a draft submission considering all potential options to DEFRA and Welsh Government;

e)            The Chief Executive is authorised to work with statutory partners to take forward the Commission’s recommendations for a newly reconstituted Nutrient Management Plan Delivery Board to undertake a critical assessment of the draft submission to DEFRA and Welsh Government, and a revised Nutrient Management Plan; and

f)             Cabinet review further progress made in July 2023.

None - At its meeting on 28 July 2022 Cabinet resolved to establish a Cabinet Commission - Restoring the River Wye (the Cabinet Commission), to consider how the Council and its partners can progress the wider systemic and strategic issues needed to address water quality including Phosphate Pollution in the Wye.