Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 May 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.

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Minute 14, East Devon Trees, Hedgerow and Woodlands Strategy

Cllr Tim Dumper, Affects Non-Registerable Interest, Member of Exmouth Town Council (ETC) and working on ETC’s Tree Forum.

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No members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

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There were no matters of urgency.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including press) have been excluded. There are no items that officers recommend should be dealt with in this way.

There were no confidential/exempt items.

The District Ecologist introduced this item and welcomed Ben Coles of Treeconomics Ltd to the meeting.  Treeconomics Ltd had been appointed in July 2024 to start the process of leading the consultation and shaping of the East Devon Trees, Hedgerow & Woodland Strategy (THaWS). 

The THaWS is a ten-year strategy which aligns with the Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy, Climate Change Strategy, Local Plan review and Nature Recovery Plan.

Mr Coles and the District Ecologist delivered a presentation to members which provided an overview of the THaWS, its key themes and aims, its development and timeline and a summary of the results from public consultation.  The Strategy is expected to be finalised in December 2024.

Members were asked to consider the THaWS and make recommendations, before it is presented to Cabinet for approval in January 2025.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·        The strategy sets out a high level aspiration of 30% canopy cover for the district, partly through tree planting but mainly through maintenance and enhancement of existing trees.  Canopy cover can be easily measured using satellite imagery or other technology and progress can be tracked by replicating the exercise at 5 or 10 year intervals.

·        Some members were concerned that the strategy does not set a target for the number of trees and felt that canopy cover is less meaningful to residents than numbers.  The District Ecologist responded that it is not possible or viable to monitor numbers of trees or to track progress, without access to private land.  He added that canopy cover targets better reflect the varying methods of tree establishment and added that, as a district, natural regeneration is the favoured approach.

·        In response to a member’s question, it was confirmed that a policy is not currently in place concerning replacement of trees on Council owned land.  Consideration is being given to whether planting trees is best, or if the focus should be on natural regeneration and maintenance of nearby existing trees.

·        The THaWS is a high level strategy document intended to be holistic in its approach and as accessible as possible.  Some members expressed concern that the document is not easy for the lay person to understand and engage with.  It was felt however that it will be understood by people who activate members of the public and one member outlined the Tiny Forest project in Exmouth, as an initiative in which local residents had become actively involved.

·        6% of consultees had responded that a benefit of trees was noise reduction, and the District Ecologist would ensure this is added the Trees Benefits section of the strategy.

·        The actions set out in the strategy are currently in draft format and decisions will need to be taken on where to channel the council’s limited resources.  Community engagement has been identified as high priority due to the cumulative returns.

·        Members recognised the importance of hedgerows in the strategy and were keen to engage the farming community in the planting and protection of hedgerows.  It was acknowledged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan; would the Committee wish to receive a report on key decisions prior to Cabinet?

The Committee considered the Cabinet Forward Plan and noted the Work Programme for 2024-2025.

Cllr Del Haggerty provided an update on the progress of the Coach Tourism in East Devon Task and Finish Forum and thanked officers for their ongoing support.

The Chair reminded members that a joint meeting of the Scrutiny Committee and the Overview Committee is scheduled for December 2024 to review the Directorate Plans, followed by a Joint Budget Meeting in January 2025.