Issue - meetings
Ash Dieback Action Plan
Meeting: 15/10/2019 - Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Expired 13/07/20 (Item 29)
29 Ash Dieback Action Plan 
PDF 120 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
(a)
That the content of the plan be noted; and
(b) That the awareness of the potential impact for the Authority in terms of finance and health & safety risks be noted.
Minutes:
TheChief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) gave a brief introduction to the report stating that the purpose was to raise awareness of the problem which was moving quicker than expected and make Members aware of the action plans. He introduced the Access & Natural Environment Manager who explained in more depth the situation.
He explained that this years’ monitoring showed that it is now endemic across the county and the disease was likely to wipe out the majority of the 24,000 ash trees with significant environmental impact. Flintshire was fortunate in that they have a dedicated Tree Officer (unlike neighbouring authorities) who have outlined plans to prioritise removing infected trees from roadsides, schools and other public locations. He added that infected trees not on council land would be more problematic. Pictures of infected trees were shown to the Committee.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside reported that the issues highlighted within the report had a financial risk attached and therefore she had raised this with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).
The Chairman commented on the importance of communicating the gravity of the situation and drew attention to the quality of the report which he felt should be made available more widely.
The Countryside & Access Awareness Officer said that care needed to be taken on the right communication with the public to avoid panic and that a plan was in place to manage the problem.
The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) highlighted the budget pressure identified in the report.
RESOLVED:
(a)
That the content of the plan be noted; and
(b) That the awareness of the potential impact for the Authority in terms of finance and health & safety risks be noted.