Decision details

Purpose of Report: To set out the proposed final woodland design plan following detailed site assessment, concept design plan and community and stakeholder engagement. It also sets out funding options to deliver the woodland.

The Executive will be asked to consider and approve the final woodland design plan recommendations. Consider and approve recommendations in relation to funding the capital cost of woodland creation.

This item has been brought forward to the 26 August for consideration as the tree planting season runs September – March. If the Council were to wait for an Executive Decision on 30th September it would put the council ambition of planting 50,000 trees by 2023 at significant risk.

Resolved:  (i)      That the views of residents and stakeholders gained through community consultation be noted, and that the community woodland vision and woodland name be approved.

Reason:     To ensure that the York Community Woodland project fully reflects the views and priorities of local residents and stakeholders.

                   (ii)      That authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change to approve the final woodland design, select the source of external capital funding to support the woodland creation and approve the carrying out of a procurement process to appoint a woodland creation delivery partner.

Reason:     To ensure a timely decision regarding woodland design in order to meet the 2021/22 tree planting season (October to March).

                   (iii)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance to take such steps as are necessary to enter into the funding agreement and to procure, award and enter into the resulting contracts for the appointment of a woodland creation delivery partner should the Executive Member for Environment & Climate Change select the White Rose Forest Trees for Climate fund as the external capital funding source to support York Community Woodland delivery.

Reason:     To ensure timely entry into the lease to meet project deadlines.

                   (iv)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Environment & Climate Change to approve the publication of any necessary ‘open space’ disposal Notice under s.123 of the Local Government Act 1992 and to consider any comments received from the public in response to such Notice should the Executive Member for Environment & Climate Change select Forestry England as the external capital funding source to support York Community Woodland delivery, in return for the council granting Forestry England a long term lease of the land.

Reason:     To ensure timely entry into the lease to meet project deadlines.

                   (v)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Governance to take such steps as are necessary to enter into the resulting lease with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for the York Community Woodland site at Knapton should the Executive Member for Environment & Climate Change select Forestry England as the external capital funding source to support York Community Woodland delivery.

Reason:     To ensure timely selection and appointment of a woodland creation delivery partner to meet project deadlines.