Archived decisions

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1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the allocation of £15,000 from the Environmental Improvement budget to reappoint the Hampshire Coppice Woodlands consultant to implement the hazel coppice management programme for a further year.

2. Reason

2.1 The Coppice Woodlands consultant plays a vital role in stimulating the ongoing promotion of the coppice industry in Hampshire and ensures that the County Council's programme of grant-aid support is effectively implemented.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason for the Matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 Coppicing is a traditional form of woodland management whereby a regular crop of poles is harvested, from the same trees, within the woodland understorey. The cut material is used in the manufacture of a variety of products and in the past has supported a strong rural industry but one which declined dramatically during the last century.

7.2 The reasons for conserving coppice woodlands and supporting the coppice industry are as follows:

Historic The composition and structure of 75 percent of Hampshire's ancient semi-natural woodland developed under the coppice management system.

Biodiversity Most coppice woods are very ancient and most of the country's woodland species have adapted and evolved under the coppice system over thousands of years. It provides, in a relatively small area, a great variety of habitats. Restoring the woods to an economic coppice rotation will ensure the survival of their rich flora and fauna.

Game Management Research by the Game Conservancy Trust has shown that in-cycle hazel coppice, in years three to five, is the best pheasant cover available in woodland.

Rural Employment Coppice work is labour intensive. A wood managed as coppice will provide a livelihood for at least 10 times as many people as a similar sized wood managed by modern forestry.

Economic Very short rotations, particularly for hazel, make favourable income comparisons with any combination of broadleaved plantation crops.

8. Background

8.1 In 1947 the Forestry Commission estimated that around 3,800 acres of in-cycle coppice existed in Hampshire. By 1980 this had declined to around 670 acres with a further 3,000 acres remaining in a derelict state. It was against this background that in 1981 the County Council attempted to revive hazel coppicing as a rural industry on historic, ecological and economic grounds.

8.2 Within 10 years, through its coppice grant-aid programme, the County Council has provided 50 percent of the cost of restoring 500 hectares of derelict coppice. Since 1994 it has supported, in partnership with the Forestry Commission, Countryside Agency and neighbouring local authorities, the formation and operation of the Wessex Coppice Group which supports the marketing of coppice products and the training of coppice workers.

9. The Role of Hampshire County Council's Consultant

9.1 Over the past few years the County Council has engaged a consultant to undertake the following activities in promoting the management of hazel coppice woodlands in Hampshire:

Promote the County Council's grant-aid programme with Hampshire's woodland owners, land agents and coppice workers.

Administer the grant-aid programme, including the receipt, evaluation and assessment of applications, check completed works and arrange payments in cooperation with the County Council's Habitats Manager (see Agenda item 25 - Coppice Restoration Grants).

Undertake a programme of coppice monitoring to identify woods that should be targeted under the scheme - particularly those woods which may be about to move out of cycle.

Assist landowners and agents to find suitable craftsmen to work coppice areas available on their property.

Assess the quality of all those coppice coups offered in the Wessex Coppice Group's annual auction.

Transfer information gathered to the Wessex Coppice Group's database.

Attend quarterly meetings of both the Wessex Coppice Group and Hampshire Woodland Forum as an observer in cooperation with the Habitats Manager. Reports to both groups on the progress of the County Council's grant-aid programme and liaises with members on woodland issues.

Advise on the County Council's own woodlands as and when required.

10. Background and Objectives of Proposed Contract

10.1 The proposal is to engage the consultant for a further year to help deliver the County Council's coppice management programme. This year has seen Hampshire's coppice workers faced with considerable difficulties relating to the Foot and Mouth epidemic which has had implications for them gaining access to the woodlands.

10.2 Individual work programmes have inevitably been disrupted and events, such as the Hampshire's Wood Fair and Wessex Coppice Group Auction, cancelled because of woodland owners' understandable reluctance to allow access to their properties by outsiders.

10.3 Fortunately, the abatement of the problem has allowed woodland work to recommence and the industry is now entering its busiest period with workers attempting to make up for time lost earlier in the coppice season.

10.4 This year will see the County Council emphasising the activities of the coppice workers based in Hampshire with endeavours to strengthen and consolidate their links with woodland owners throughout the county.

11. The Coppice Woodlands Consultant

11.1 The County Council's existing consultant is Mr Jonathan Howe, MA (Oxon) who was originally responsible for guiding the County Council in its promotion of this important rural industry. He has established himself as an authority on the management of coppice woodlands through his work in Hampshire and has, for example, devised a system of grading commercial coppice which is now used on a national basis.

6774/MW