Respond appropriately and proportionately to the threat of pests and disease epidemics.
| Measured by |
Lead responsibility |
Current position |
| Monitor the impact of Ash Dieback. |
T&W |
Ash dieback disease is a phenomenon that will potentially have a significant impact on the tree stock in the city. Nationally the disease has been under reported and public awareness of it is low. In addition, practitioners are unfamiliar with it and are having to learn what should be done in practice as it starts to affect their areas. So, it is still unclear how fast the disease will establish itself in the city and start to cause practical problems, but experience of other parts of the country points to this occurring much faster than first suggested. Initial outbreak identified in woodland plantations in the north of the City, however the disease is now more widespread across the City. Contingency budget in capital programme for 2021/22 to react and manage. |
| Through tree surveys identify concerns on individual tree’s health & condition and where necessary review a site for potential pathogens. |
T&W |
Western Park has a large number of Pine trees infected with Needle Blight. This fungus infects the needles and gradually defoliates the tree. Also present is Phytophthora a fungus that affects many host trees and has already required the felling of several trees within the park. Contingency budget in capital programme for 2021/22 to react and manage. |
Recycle the materials that arise from the management of trees, including the use of wood as a carbon-neutral fuel.
| Measured by |
Lead responsibility |
Current position |
| Volume of material diverted from landfill and recycled. |
T&W |
By diverting by-product waste from landfill a saving of £109k per annum on landfill costs plus transporting costs has been achieved. Woodchip is recycled for bio fuel. Recycled by tonnage/total sale value/percentage recycled
2019/20
2020/21
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