CIEEM 2021, the British Standard on Biodiversity Net Gain (8683: 2021) and Natural England / Defra Guidance. The Statutory Metric User Guide defines a competent person someone who ‘has the knowledge and skills to perform specified tasks to complete and review biodiversity metric calculations. You obtain this through training, qualifications, experience, or a combination of them’. River Condition Assessment assessors must be trained and accredited in the River Condition Assessment methodology.

Stage 2

12 Sufficient cash flow / funding for 30 years Who is going to be responsible for the habitat management if different from the owner? What are the contingency plans should this / your firm fold or go into liquidation within the 30 years to ensure the habitat proposed will continue to be enhanced and maintained as proposed? Provision of proof of funds including third party bond, guarantee, ring fenced fund etc. These must be sufficient to cover ‘up-front capital’ creation / enhancement works and the subsequent 30 years of management. Funds must be held for duration of the agreement and held independently for large schemes. An appropriate payment schedule should be in place. All required prior to S106 sign-off. Options to consider on case-by-case basis for proof of funds include: • Submission of 30 year cash flow model for running and management of site for council assurance only to sense check creation / management costs but also from finance perspective in terms of underlying assumptions. • Assurance that separate code had been set up in your accounts i.e. ring fencing of funding in relation to habitat bank. Discuss on a site by site basis Check proof of funds which could include 30 year cash flow model, assurance of finance codes, and commitment to financial reporting Agree a payment schedule throughout the 30 year period