Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding Tree Pests and Diseases: Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) and the following points were made.

·         The Director of Open Spaces noted that the progress of OPM had been monitored for the past three years. It has first appeared on Hampstead Heath on the City’s Open Spaces and was now present across all 33 of London’s local authorities. There had been exponential growth of OPM during 2018, which the City was addressing via a risk-based zonal model which cost £100,000. In future years the costs would increase dramatically as the reported incidents of OPM continued to increase, particularly in Epping Forest. The Open Spaces Directorate would be making a bid under the City’s Medium-Term Financial Plan for further funding to address the issue. The City would continue to work with partners such as the Forestry Commission and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).   

·         A Member noted that when OPM first arose as an issue on City Open Spaces, the then Policy Chairman had, in response to a Court Question, committed to ensuring the financial implications of OPM would be a central City responsibility rather than being met from the Open Spaces’ Directorate’s local risk. This should be factored into the Directorate’s Medium-Term Financial Plan bid.

·         In response to a question from a Member regarding the risks posed by other pests, the Director of Open Spaces noted that OPM posed a significantly greater risk compared to its peers and that other pests were more manageable by comparison.

·         In response to a question from a Member regarding the extent of joint working with partners, the Director of Open Spaces noted that he chaired the national-level Oak Processionary Moth Working Party which included representatives from DEFRA, health services and the Forestry Commission. Health services were included as OPM posed a public health issue given the caterpillars could cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues.

·         In response to a question from a Member regarding what action was necessary, and what stage at which a change in strategy would be appropriate, the Director of Open Spaces noted that the current growth of OPM was exponential at the present time, but it would plateau. Therefore resources to address the issue were being targeted at areas of higher public risk such as car parks, public paths and catering facilities. It would be necessary to continue to educate the public on OPM and its nature and spread.

RESOLVED, that Members,

·         Note the challenging position regarding the spread of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) and the partnership work being undertaken with the Forestry Commission.

·         Note that the cost of risk based OPM control undertaken in 2018/19 is likely to lead to a small departmental overspend at the year-end.

·         Approve the submission of a bid for additional resources to Resource Allocation Sub Committee for future financial years from 2019/20, highlighting OPM as a new and significant resource demand in the medium-term financial planning process.