Agenda item

Slideshow presentation by the Tree and Biodiversity Coordinator on Foreness point, wildflower patches and tree planting.

Members listened to the pre-recorded presentation provided by Phoebe Cullingworth, Tree and Biodiversity Co-ordinator and the following comments were made:

• Thanet coastline was home to 22 out of 24 UK Bumble Bee species;
• The decline of wildflowers across the UK had affected bee species;
• There was a need for a management plan for the preservation of wildflower meadows that would help restore flower biodiversity;
• Management of Foreness Point: There was currently a plan for rotational cutting of meadows to help re-flower the area;
• Rotational cutting curbed the growth of plants that destroy these flowers;
• Biodiversity walks were conducted with residents;
• Mini woodlands had been established and tree planting carried out in Ramsgate through the Forgotten Places Project;
• There are now 100 standard trees and 1000 whips planted across three sites in Ramsgate;
• There was a tree care plan with weekly schedule for weeding and watering;

·  There had been good community involvement in planting these trees;

• These trees had contributed to the wildlife biodiversity in this area.

Next Steps

• This would include maintaining Foreness Point wildflower meadow;
• The Council would run an Alexander clearance day in February 2024;
• Officers would maintain tree care for one year;
• Officers would investigate whether there could be a TDC memorial tree scheme

Members asked questions and made comments as follows:

• Birchington Parish Council were considering having memorial trees as well;
• The Parish Council was encouraging residents to plant a tree;
• KCC were also receiving by monthly presentations from Southern Water;
• What happened with the bid for wildflower meadows that the Council submitted?
• There was a need for the new Open Spaces Officer to have a clear understanding of the budget allocated to their service area;
• The Council needed to expand the biodiversity projects across the district;
• Could CAG ask the Head of Coastal and Public Realm to attend a meeting to discuss the budget for biodiversity in open spaces? 
• There was a view that machinery being used by the Open Spaces team was dilapidated and needed changing;
• There was a scheme in the County for wildflower seeds to spread that could be distributed to communities to spread;
• Urban street trees: It was difficult to install or replace these trees under the current County bylaws. Was there any chance that KCC could have a re-think?

Dr Scott and Hannah Thorpe responded to Member questions and comments as follows:

• The Council was not successful with the wildflower meadows bid. The bid did not go past the first stage;
• There would be conversations held to explore the longer-term options for the Tree and Biodiversity Coordinator role, which is currently funded until June 2024;
• There had recently been an appointment to the Head of Coastal and Public Realm position. In light of the questions being raised by the CAG, an invitation could be extended for the new Head of Service to provide a more detailed update at a future meeting of the CAG. 

Councillor Yates proposed, Councillor Pressland seconded and Members agreed to invite Tony Marmo to the next Cabinet Advisory Group meeting to talk about Open Spaces and biodiversity.

Members noted the report.