Agenda item

The Committee received a review the Carmarthenshire County Council’s Environment (Wales) Act Forward Plan 2016-2019 for consideration following its first publication in 2017. The review demonstrated how the Council was meeting its legal obligation with reference to the Act.

In order to evidence delivery of this duty, under the Environment Act, it was a statutory duty that all public bodies in Wales must prepare and publish a plan on how they intended to comply with the Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty by March 2017.

Members noted that Carmarthenshire’s approach to developing and delivering its Forward Plan had involved engagement with officers in looking at their working practices, plans and projects whilst assisting them in identifying present opportunities for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity and promoting ecosystem resilience, alongside the delivery of their other obligations and objectives.

The following queries were raised in relation to the report:-

·       In response to a query in relation to the cost of managing the Ash Dieback disease, the Rural Conservation Manager explained that it was not possible to estimate a cost as there was still a significant amount of work to be undertaken.  However, it was confirmed that the £300k assigned over the next 2 years for the management of the disease would be required.  In order to manage and control the spread of disease, surveys were currently being undertaken in order to identify high risk areas in order to prioritise appropriate course of action and target resources effectively.   The Rural Conservation Manager explained that infected trees were often marked with an orange ribbon.

In order to raise the awareness of the seriousness of this disease, it was suggested that a seminar for all members would be beneficial in order to explain significance of the Ash Dieback disease, how to identify it and the best course of action.  Following this suggestion, it was proposed that an all-member seminar on the Ash Dieback disease be arranged.  The proposal was duly seconded.

The Executive Board Member for Public Protection explained that an ash dieback working group had been set up and a communications plan was currently being developed in order to raise awareness of the disease. Additionally, a web page was being developed which would include guidance and advice for landowners.

Furthermore, the Rural Conservation Manager added in order to ensure consistent messages were being delivered a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ was being developed in association with the NFU, NRU and CLA, a toolkit designed by the Tree Council was being utilised and necessary liaison work was being undertaken with landowners adjacent to highways.

·       Reference was made to the current work undertaken with schools (reference number PIMS 1304, page 11 of the report).  A query was raised in relation to Johnstown school being the only school mentioned in the Plan.  The Rural Conservation Manager stated that the team were constrained with term time, other pressing issues and lack of available resources.  A suggestion was raised that the Council could utilise the Carmarthenshire outdoor Schools network in order to assist in getting information out to a wider network of schools.  The Rural Conservation Manager took note of the suggestion.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

7.1     the review of Carmarthenshire County Council's Environment (Wales) Act Forward Plan 2016-2019 be received.

7.2     that a member seminar on Ash Dieback disease be arranged.