Biodiversity

Criteria met if the council has stopped using peat in soils in all landscaping and horticulture, such as parks and council properties. A statement that the council has stopped using peat compost or soil on their website or biodiversity strategy will be sufficient to meet the criteria.

Criteria met if a council has banned the use of glyphosate or all pesticides in parks and road verges where they have control. This ban must include the street cleaning/weed control team.

Criteria met if the council has stated they are mowing their green spaces, including parks and road verges less regularly, or if the council has stated they are creating wildflower habitats within green spaces the local authorities manage.

Criteria met if 66% or more of local wildlife sites in the council's area are in positive conservation management.

Only English councils will be assessed on this question, as there is no data available to mark Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Criteria met if the council has a target to increase tree cover which has been included in the Biodiversity Action Plan and/or Tree Strategy, provided the council has agreed a tree management plan that details how new trees will be irrigated and cared for.

Criteria met if any area of the local authority that has been deemed safe to do so has dimmed street lighting or part night lighting.

Two-tier criteria
First tier criteria met if there is one Green Flag park but less than 4.

Second tier criteria if there are 4 or more Green Flag parks.

Criteria met if the council employs a planning ecologist on 3 days or more per week (0.6 FTE).

Criteria met if any policy within the Local Plan states that the council is asking for biodiversity net gain above the minimum 10% required by the UK Government.

Criteria met if the local authority has introduced a Green Space Factor (or Urban Greening Factor) in their planning policies.