Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members noted a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding tree pests and diseases providing an urgent update on Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). The following comments were made:

·         The Director of Open Spaces advised that the spread of OPM across the Corporation’s Open Spaces had been assessed for the last two years, with Hampstead Heath being the longest affected space. This was now recorded in all 33 London Boroughs and had now reached Epping Forest.

·         Members were advised that the disease was a significant problem with significant expenditure being spent by the Corporation to manage the pest due to the public health risk. It was anticipated that the resource demands for the control of OPM in future years will be in excess of £250,000 annually.

·         The Director of Open Spaces confirmed that controlling the pest did not eradicate the problem and the focus was to protect public car parks, children’s parks, paths and sports areas to prevent the risk.

·         An education programme is in development to educate the public on OPM and what to do if they encounter it.

·         Members were advised that in December 2018, it was agreed with the Forestry Commission that Hampstead Heath would be used as a pilot site to tackle OPM which would include the spraying of trees and nest removal along with significant forest research. This pilot scheme would assist with the development of a national programme of best practice to control OPM.it was noted that the DEFRA Minister was supportive of this work and had had a meeting with the Director of Open Spaces and the Chair of the Policy & Resources Committee.

·         A Member voiced the Corporation’s duty to protect the 800 veteran oak trees that were at risk.

·         Members were concerned by the potential public nuisance OPM could cause in future; however, Members congratulated Officers for their ongoing efforts to deal with OPM and approved of the Corporation’s commitment to taking the lead on tackling the pest nationally.

·         In response to a query regarding the planting of other trees (e.g. redwood) instead of oaks, Members were advised that tree planting in any of the Corporation’s open spaces were based on assessment of the area. Other planting options could potentially be considered in the future due to the effects of OPM and global warming.       

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.