Agenda item

The Committee considered a report and presentation of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided an update on the management of Council-owned woodland and tree planting programmes, presented by Sue Mullinger, Landscape Delivery Manager (for copy of report and presentation see file). 

The Landscape Delivery Manager introduced the presentation, highlighting that the Council owns 86 woodlands, spread across 1800ha of land which comprise approximately 10% of the county’s total woodland resource, many of which are located on reclaimed land formerly used for coal mining.  Over 6% of the county’s resource is ancient woodland.

In 2013, action was taken to positively manage woodlands, with the Council developing Forestry Commission (FC) approved management plans which included a programme of thinning.  Durham is now in the unique position of having most of its woodland estate in FC approved management plans which has an added benefit of access to the Woodland Improvement Grant Scheme to bring neglected woodlands back into management and improve the condition of ancient woodland.  The Landscape Delivery Manager explained the focus on woodlands over recent years highlighted inconsistencies in the way the Council approached woodland management, therefore the management of woodlands is now co-ordinated across services. 

Challenges for the service were identified, including maximising woodland volunteers, deer management and woodland certification.  The Landscape Delivery Manager explained the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) certification process which provides assurance of sustainable woodland management and access to timber markets. Whilst part of the Council’s woodland estate was certified in the past, registration ceased in March 2022, however, with the onset of new thinning programmes leading to a greater volume of timber, it is now considered that this should be revisited.

The Committee then welcomed Charles Forman, Programme Manager of the Durham Woodland Revival Programme who was in attendance to provide information on the programme, which is in its final year of the four year programme to restore woodlands in County Durham.  He explained that work had focused on providing landowners, contractors and members of the public with opportunities to enjoy and manage their woodlands.  Information was provided on the main themes of the work, including woodland creation, woodland restoration and active management, improving access to woodlands, working with young people to encourage them to consider a career in the forestry sector and supporting community groups to manage their local woodlands.

The Programme Manager informed the Committee that the programme engages with the community on woodland creation as soon as potential sites are identified, and he gave an example of work undertaken in Quebec, where residents had expressed concern regarding an area of Council woodland. The programme intervened to manage the area and engaged with the community to encourage them to participate in woodland creation, funded by the North East Community Forest.  The Programme Manager concluded by highlighting that the programme had engaged with over 50 landowners and supported 12 community groups.

The Landscape Delivery Manager then informed the Committee of the Council’s excellent track record of planting trees, with almost one million trees planted since 2000, through programmes such as the Durham Woodland Creation Programme and the Trees for Children initiative.  Briefly highlighting other areas of activity, the Landscape Delivery Manager explained that the Durham Hedgerow Partnership had improved the condition of approximately 320km of hedgerow.  The Urban Tree Challenge had led to the Clean and Green team planting approximately 2,300 trees in towns and villages, with more trees to be planted over the winter.

The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation and invited comments and questions from the Committee.

Referring to the additional tree planting, Councillor Reed asked whether the Clean and Green team had managed the additional workload, without it impacting upon other areas of work. Councillor Adam added that whilst it was pleasing to see the number of trees planted, he had observed under-watered trees and damage to trees in his ward and he questioned whether the additional workload had led to fewer staff and resources being available to carry out routine watering and maintenance. The Landscape Delivery Manager clarified that funding from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund had been accessed, that additional staff had been employed and the Woodland Creation Scheme work had been outsourced.  Additional resources for tree inspection work had been put in place during the summer and the Clean and Green team provide weekly reports on the tree watering programme.  The Landscape Delivery Manager added that she would look into the specific issue raised by Councillor Adam.

Councillor Reed stated she had observed trees, hedgerows and grasses located on land not in Council or private ownership which had been cut-back and she asked who is responsible for maintaining unregistered land. 

Ged Lawson, Principal Landscape Officer explained that the Council’s approach to unregistered land was being refreshed in the review of the Tree Management Policy.  Traditionally, the Council has carried out tree management and maintained unregistered land where public safety is an issue.  The Principal Landscape Officer agreed to pick up the issue with Councillor Reed after the meeting.

Councillor McLean referred to plans to create woodland on the former colliery site at Horden and that the woodland development plan had been part of the Levelling up bid which was unsuccessful.  He expressed disappointment that when he had asked the relevant service why the tree planting had not gone ahead, as the plans and finance were in place, he had received no response.  The Landscape Delivery Manager informed the Committee that she was aware that plans for the land had been impacted by Business Durham’s expression of interest in the land, as a possible strategic development site.  Cllr McLean commented that neither himself nor Councillor Roberts had been given that feedback from the service.

The Environment and Design Manager, Steve Bhowmick, pointed out that the issues raised were cross-cutting service issues and therefore he suggested that the most appropriate way forward would be to make enquiries with the relevant services, for further information to be provided to the individual members concerned.

Councillor Adam commented on the lack of detail regarding future funding within the report and commented that it would be useful to include an update on funding, in any future report to the committee. Councillor Adam then referred to woodland revival and he asked whether the work would include how to protect trees from the deer population, as opposed to culling deer. The Landscape Delivery Manager confirmed that protecting trees from deer is part of the strategy, for example the use of deer enclosures. Councillor Adam also referred to the importance of hedges as wildlife corridors and he asked what work was being undertaken in that area. The Landscape Delivery Manager explained the popularity of the Council’s Durham Hedgerow Partnership which provides financial assistance for projects to encourage the planting of hedgerows, hedge-laying and associated skills. Councillor Adam remarked on its popularity and suggested it should be considered for additional funding in the future.

Councillor Elmer echoed the previous comments regarding a lack of routine maintenance and damage to trees and asked whether spot-checks were carried out.  The Landscape Delivery Manager confirmed that the Forestry Commission had inspected all sites and had provided detailed feedback. 

Councillor Elmer referred to the review of the Council’s land holdings which was currently underway by Corporate Property and Land and he remarked that he was looking forward to the outcome which is widely anticipated, as the exercise will be useful across various services.

Referring to the reports of management of the deer population being a challenge for the future, Councillor Elmer asked if the service had considered the reintroduction of lynx as a means of managing roe deer.  The Landscape Delivery Manager agreed to pass the suggestion to the Ecology team. 

Resolved:

The Committee:

(a)           Noted the content of the report and presentation.

(b)           Agreed to receive a further update on the management of the Council’s woodland estate in the next work programme.