Previous reference: Minute 56 (2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report, (Document “X”) in response to a request for an annual progress report on the work programme for the approved Woodland Strategy for Bradford District.

Members are requested to note the detail contained in Document “X” and the actions taken to deliver the Woodland Strategy for the Bradford District during 2016/17.

(Phil Barker – 01274 432616)

Previous reference: Minute 56 (2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report, (Document “X”) in response to a request for an annual progress report on the work programme for the approved Woodland Strategy for Bradford District.

The Trees/Woodlands Manager gave a detailed presentation in respect of the report, highlighting that the strategy covered a period of five years and that over the last year there had been significant progress and consolidation of the strategy. He stressed that the first duty under the strategy was to public safety and that a system of annual inspection had been established for that purpose. He also outlined the woodland creation which was on going which meant that the overall woodland cover across the District was increasing.

He explained the impact of a blight among larch trees which was affecting the whole of the Country and which had been discovered in the District. The remedy was to remove diseased trees and any affected rhododendrons which acted as host to the blight.

He went to explain the policy of encouraging native woodland, including the tree and woodland development fund being put in place to enable local funds to be drawn down. He also explained the difficulties of planting trees on the highway due to the increased use of the space under the highway for cabling etc.

He advised Members about the effect of weather patterns, including severe weather events known as “weather bombs” and the effect of planting from the 1970s coming to the end of its natural lifespan.

He concluded his presentation by stressing that community collaboration and community asset transfer continued to be important, following on from fifteen years of involvement with local communities.

Members then asked questions of the Trees/Woodlands Manager in respect of his report, beginning with a request to know how many trees had been planted. He advised that it was in the tens of thousands.

The Chair then queried the involvement of the woodland strategy when land was sold and was advised that the issue of ensuring a good quality urban forest as the Council divested assets or devolved management of land would need to be resolved and that this issue may need to become part of the strategy in future.

In response to a question from a Member in respect of accessibility and footpath maintenance, he explained the safety inspection regime and stressed that access was not artificially constrained. He expected that woodlands would become more and more important as the “staycation” phenomena continued and that investment would need to be made or footpaths would deteriorate through increased usage.

A Member commented that developments such as tree planting as a memorial were increasingly popular and noted that Member awareness of the woodland strategy would be useful to enable them to dispel concerns that Councils were actively seeking to remove trees. He also encouraged collaborative working with groups such as the Woodcraft Folk and considered that the District was blessed with fantastic woods and that they should be well looked after.

A non-voting co-opted member also stressed the usefulness of collaborative working with organisations such as the Environment Agency.     

Resolved –

(1)  That  a progress report be presented in twelve months time.

(2)  That the formal scheme relating to the Tree and Woodland Development Fund be presented to this Committee when ready. 

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place