Decision details

Executive considered a report by Portfolio Holder – Corporate Governance which sought approval to enter into a Funding Agreement, Lease Agreement and Service Level Agreement regarding the Bolsover Community Woodlands Project. 

The Bolsover Community Woodland project had been established as part of the Council’s efforts to address the challenge of climate change and to achieve carbon reduction as expressed through its Carbon Reduction Plan.

The Council had engaged with the Woodland Trust to explore the potential for partnership working to bring about significant tree planting across the District.  The Council’s successful expression of interest was one of only 11 pilot local authorities with the Woodland Trust’s national emergency tree fund and represented the only one in the East Midlands.

The Bolsover Community Woodland project would initially focus on a flagship site on former colliery land to the south of Creswell and a number of other sites around the District.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Liz Smyth

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted and subject to Council approving a budget of £10,000 per annum from 2024 to 2036 to be used for the scheme, the following be agreed:

a) to enter into the Funding Agreement with the Woodland Trust to secure their offered £269,160 for the Council’s Bolsover Community Woodlands project, as set out in Appendix 1.

b) to enter into the Lease Agreement with Wellbeck Estates to secure control of their land south of Creswell to deliver the flagship component of the Council’s Bolsover Community Woodlands project and comply with the Heads of Terms, as set out in Appendix 2.

c) to enter into the Service Level Agreement with Bolsover Woodlands Enterprise to secure the tree planting and woodland management services necessary to deliver the Council’s Bolsover Community Woodlands project and comply with the Woodland Trust Funding Agreement, as set out in Appendix 3.

(Assistant Director of Development and Planning)

REASON FOR DECISION:

The offer of funding from the Woodland Trust for the Bolsover Community Woodlands project offers the Council a significant opportunity to address the challenge of climate change and to achieve carbon reduction as expressed in the Carbon Reduction Plan.  The project will also create a significant environmental resource across the District.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

No alternative options were considered.

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