Issue - meetings

To agree the Action Plan to inform delivery against the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Tree and Hedgerow Strategy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage Cllr Sneath presented the report and advised that trees and hedgerows played a central role in the Partnership’s strategic response to the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. The changing climate and the increased risk of extreme weather events highlighted the importance of green infrastructure in protecting communities and underpinned the ability to adapt to climate change.

Cllr Sneath advised that in 2022, the Partnership adopted a Tree and Hedgerow Strategy. The action plan presented to members provided the delivery mechanism for the strategy and outlined various work areas and projects to ensure that trees and hedgerows throughout the sub-region were appropriately managed, protected, and enhanced for the benefit of all.

Tree planting had become a high-profile activity to address climate change, but it was critical that this was done with the principle of “Right Tree in the Right Place.” Existing trees and hedgerows also needed to be managed and maintained to ensure their longevity and continued contribution to environmental and carbon benefits.

Cllr Sneath noted that South Holland, along with large areas of Boston, was traditionally a fenland landscape, and tree cover was therefore much lower. This was an important landscape characteristic that needed to be recognised.

Delivery timeframes for this work were broken down into short, medium, and long term, recognising the complexities around delivery and ensuring that quick wins were balanced with strategic, legacy-building actions.

The plan had evolved through extensive consultation with outside bodies, potential funders, and internal departments, and it needed to dovetail with the emerging Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Lincolnshire, due to be published in late 2026.

The action plan did not commit the Council to any expenditure. Instead, it sought to influence and prioritise the approach to managing trees and hedgerows so the Council could take advantage of external funding when it became available.

This was a key step towards reaching net zero targets, supporting nature recovery, and creating opportunities for community participation. The Policy Development Panel had been consulted and gave the action plan their full support without amendment.

Members noted that one reason for the limited number of trees in the area was the historical prioritisation of farming. However, many farmers are now introducing hedgerows, and a key element of the strategy involves working with them.

DECISION:

·         That Cabinet agrees to adopt the Tree and Hedgerow Action Plan.

(Other Options Considered)

·         Not to adopt the Action Plan and continue to undertake projects, policy and procedural updates in a piecemeal fashion across South and East Lincolnshire.

Reasons for decision:

·         To ensure a considered plan is in place to deliver progress against the ambition and high level commitments of the Tree and Hedgerow Strategy.

To agree the Action Plan to inform delivery against the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Tree and Hedgerow Strategy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory which asked members to consider the proposed Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan prior to its adoption at Cabinet.

The Environment and Sustainability Officer attended virtually and highlighted the following key points;

• That trees and hedgerows played a vital role in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, providing resilience against extreme weather events, and supporting community protection.
• The Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan set out short, medium, and long-term targets to deliver the ambitions of the strategy, to ensure appropriate management, protection, and enhancement of trees and hedgerows across the sub-region.
• Planting must follow the principle of “right tree in the right place” and would include the maintenance of existing trees and hedgerows.
• South Holland and parts of Boston were predominantly Fenland landscapes which had a naturally lower tree coverage.
• The plan would align with the forthcoming Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, expected in late 2026, and a light-touch review would follow to ensure complementarity.
• The recommendation was for the Panel to consider the proposed action plan, provide feedback, and recommend adoption to Cabinet.

Members considered the report and made the following comments.

• Members asked how the plan would address concerns about large numbers of trees attracting pigeons and impacting farmland.
  • The Environment and Sustainability Officer explained that in South Holland, planting would focus mainly on urban areas, community orchards, and woodlands. Hedgerow schemes for farmers would also be available. A project team would be established to identify suitable sites and consider surrounding land use.

• Members enquired how inappropriate planting near drainage ditches or pipes would be avoided.
  • The Environment and Sustainability Officer confirmed that the project team approach would be used to include a team of technical officers to ensure planting did not compromise drainage infrastructure.

• Members asked if the action plan linked in with existing planning policies, particularly those regarding large solar installations that removed trees and hedgerows.
  • The Environment and Sustainability Officer stated that planning and biodiversity net gain (BNG) were referenced in the action plan. Conditions would be applied to planning approvals to mitigate biodiversity loss. BNG mechanisms aimed to offset impacts, though off-site mitigation was possible under current rules.

• Members asked what planting was anticipated for South Holland, and when would targets be set.
  • The Environment and Sustainability Officer explained that targets would be established within two years, following site investigations and funding assessments. Likely projects would include community orchards in urban areas, with other opportunities being considered.

• Members queried if the Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan applied only to Council-owned land or did it apply to all land within the district.
  • The Environment and Sustainability Officer confirmed that the strategy applied to both Council-owned land and other sites where landowners expressed an interest.

• A question was raised if there was sufficient resources for planting and maintenance.
  • The Environment and Sustainability Officer advised that external funding would be sought. Volunteer support and engagement would also be utilised. Maintenance plans, including stakes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57