Issue - meetings

(a)      That Members note the content of this update and support the officers in their ongoing tree and woodland management work.

(b)      That Members support plans to develop the Flintshire Forest in accordance with the framework details provided.

The Chief Officer (Planning Environment & Economy) introduced the report and confirmed that the Urban Tree and Woodland Strategy was adopted in 2018 to assist with tree planting and increasing tree canopy cover.  The Service Manager (Countryside Access and Natural Environment) continued saying the Urban Tree and Woodland Strategy was established to provide an increase in canopy cover and ensure the sustainable management of trees, highlighting the benefits that trees provided to residents within Flintshire.  He outlined the targets set for increasing canopy cover from 14.5% to 18% by 2033.  Natural Resources Wales carry out the canopy cover assessment, although this had not been reviewed since 2018 so up to date information was not available at present.

            The Service Manager (Countryside Access and Natural Environment) reported that in recent years, tree planting had taken place on sites identified within the county utilising funding from Welsh Government Woodland Improvement Grant and the Local Nature for Places Grant.  He outlined how the canopy cover had been increased with well-planned tree schemes, ensuring the aftercare was in place, with local communities involved, to ensure the survival of the trees.  The Service Manger (Countryside Access and Natural Environment)  outlined the process involved to ensure these planting projects were successful.  Over 23,000 trees had been planted over the last 4 years and the Service Manager (Countryside Access and Natural Environment) commended his team for their hard work to enable this to happen.   Engagement with communities was key to this and he provided story map of tree planting projects across the county which highlighted the work undertaken.

            The Service Manager (Countryside Access and Natural Environment) then provided information on the proposed development of a Flintshire Forest.  It was suggested that a Flintshire Forest could mirror the direction of National Forest from Welsh Government (WG).  He outlined the objectives for creating areas of new woodland, spaces for leisure and nature, capturing and storing carbon as well as providing timber.  There would be a need to align the key objectives from the Urban Tree and Woodland Strategy and the Flintshire Forest.  He referred members to the framework at 1.11 in the report and provided an overview of the key elements, vision and engagement with the public.

            In response to a question from Councillor Roy Wakelam on the protection of existing older trees, the Service Manager (Countryside Access and Natural Environment) outlined the mechanisms such as Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and planning conditions.  He referred to public consultations undertaken in advance of planting projects and some resistance to tree planting which had been received, he said public engagement to highlight the benefits of trees as well as ensuring the right trees were planted was key to their ongoing protection.  The promotion of good tree planting with the correct trees planted in new developments would ensure better outcomes.   Referring to losses of tree he confirmed that approximately 1,000 trees had been lost due to Ash dieback over the winter on highways but more trees were being planting to replace these.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55