Councillor J Wallace moved a notice of motion, which incorporated the agreed amendment submitted by Councillor M Gannon:

COUNCIL RESOLVED          -

This Council notes:

1)         The motion declaring a climate emergency which was passed on 23^rd May

2019;

2)         That the biggest single contributor to climate change is the emission of

carbon from fossil fuels;

3)         That trees have the ability to soak up carbon emissions and therefore tree

planting can offset some of the carbon dioxide which is contributing to climate change.

Council recognises the work already undertaken to increase considerably the tree cover within the borough by identifying council owned land that could be used for tree planting.

The report to Cabinet at its 19 November meeting 2019, Gateshead Climate Change Emergency and Proposed Climate Change Strategy, identified in paragraph 10 “In recognition of the important role trees play in reducing the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Woodland Trust – appendix 2), whilst an ambitious target of 100,000 trees being planted by 2030 has been set, the council will look to continuously review this, in conjunction with our partners, to see whether this can either be accelerated and/or increased” and in Appendix 1 paragraph 8  “The Council has agreed to support the planting of 100,000 trees by 2030”.

The Council has a long and proven track record in restoring and creating high-quality natural greenspaces, including the establishment of extensive areas of tree planting (e.g. Derwent Walk Country Park, Watergate Forest Park and Wardley Manor Forest Park).  In addition to supporting woodland creation through initiatives including the Great North Forest; the Council has itself previously acquired and developed land specifically for the purpose of establishing new community woodlands, such as Station Wood and Banesley Lane Wood.

In 2018/19 the Woodland Trust, with financial support from the Council, planted 40,000 trees on former arable land adjoining their existing Hedley Hall Wood and Ridley Gill SSSI sites.  In 2019 the Council transferred 2.5ha of land at Path Head to the Woodland Trust to allow it to create a new community woodland.  Work is currently ongoing to engage local schools in the planting of a thousand native broadleaved trees at Windy Nook in Feb/March 2020.

The Council is actively working with its partners, including the Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust, to identify and map suitable sites, including Council owned land, that could be brought forward for woodland creation, particularly where this delivers multifunctional benefits, including carbon sequestration.  Further to this the Council is seeking to develop a more strategic partnership approach to better protect, restore, enhance and managing existing Council and privately-owned woodlands within the borough.

We also recognise the work to create community orchards to help improve the supply of fresh, local produce and boost the health of residents

Previously the Council has worked with several schools in establishing orchards within their grounds, as well as, providing fruit trees to local groups to create new or extend existing community orchards (e.g. Clara Vale - https://cvcg.org.uk/clara-vale-community-orchard/).  Whilst there are no sites currently identified for the creation of new community orchards, this is an exercise that could be undertaken by the Council’s Natural Environment Team working with colleagues in Street Scene and Neighbourhood Management.

We also recognise workswith the voluntary sector to deliver tree planting plans. In addition to the abovementioned ongoing work with the Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust; the Council also supports, both directly and indirectly, strategic tree planting and woodland creation, restoration and enhancement through its involvement in landscape partnerships such as the Tyne Catchment Partnership and Land of Oak and Iron Partnership.  These partnerships bring together a broad range of statutory agencies, local authorities, nature conservation and built heritage charities, community/volunteer groups and individuals.

We also recognise the work of the council involving schools, colleges and universities and their pupils and students in carrying out tree planting and woodland maintenance.

Children from St Mary’s Primary School recently took part in a tree planting event at the Woodland Trust’s new community woodland at Path Head.  Children from Windy Nook Primary School and Furrowfield School are currently being engaged in the planting of a thousand native broadleaved trees at Windy Nook.  Newcastle University have been involved in the development of proposals to create a Carbon Park comprising the planting of up to 20,000 trees at Whitehills; including the establishment of various research projects/studies looking at various aspects of the project including carbon sequestration and health and well-being outcomes.

We also recognise the work already undertaken by the council to identify and secure sources of funding available to the council and voluntary organisations to pay for tree planting.

Over the years the Council has been successful in securing funding to support tree planting and more specifically woodland creation from a range of sources.  The primary source of funding to support larger woodland creation schemes (i.e. new woodlands over 2ha) is the government’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme (i.e. Woodland Creation Scheme) administrated by the Forestry Commission.  Funding has also been sourced through organisations including the Woodland Trust and Trees for Cities, typically for smaller schemes.  Increasing monies secured through the planning system has/is being used to support the creation of new habitats, including woodland, tree and hedgerow planting, as well as, the creation, restoration and enhancement of other priority habitats such as species rich grasslands and wetlands which also play an important role in carbon sequestration andthe restoration of biodiversity.

Whilst recognising all of the above, the Council agrees to further enhance our work to:

1)         Increase considerably the tree cover within the borough by identifying        council owned land that could be used for tree planting.

2)         Create community orchards to help improve the supply of fresh, local produce and boost the health of residents.

3)         Work with the voluntary sector to deliver tree planting plans.

4)         Involve schools, colleges and universities and their pupils and students in carrying out tree planting and woodland maintenance.

5)         Identify sources of funding available to the council and voluntary    organisations to pay for tree planting.