Decision details

Ash Dieback is a disease that is likely to kill 95% of the county’s ash trees over the next 10–20 years and will have a major impact on the county’s landscape, the wildlife it supports, other ecosystems that trees provide and climate change.

It will also have a high impact on the county and the County Council, posing a significant risk to people, property (including schools) and the delivery of services (including highways).  Therefore, a corporate Ash Dieback Action Plan has been prepared to manage the impact of the disease.

The aim of the Plan is to effectively address the risks presented by the impact of ash dieback (which will require a programme of reactive and proactive tree removal and replanting), conserve the ecosystems in which ash trees are found across the county, and prepare for a positive regeneration phase with a net biodiversity gain.

In September 2021, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport approved the commencement of a procurement process for a tree felling contract for Ash Dieback infected trees and delegated authority to the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning to award the contract to the successful bidder.

The Director for Highways, Transport and Planning has approved the award of contract for the provision of felling of Ash trees infected with Ash Dieback with Euroforest Ltd. Contract to commence on 01 April 2022 for an initial period of four years, with the option to extend to a maximum duration of seven years, subject to performance.

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