Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff crynodebau eu hysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion, sef ei gofnod swyddogol o'r hyn a benderfynodd cyfarfod. Maen nhw fel arfer yn ymddangos ychydig wythnosau ar ôl y cyfarfod.
Response by the Cabinet Member: Thank you for your questions which are repeated below for ease of reference and the answers are shown as bullet points. 1. I would like to see the evidence that was used to justify the removal of all the trees in terms of carbon emissions. The council has a target imposed by Welsh Government of reaching net Zero by 2030, and when making a decision such as this it would be important to consider how this would influence our ability to reach this target. · Such was the need to progress the works to manage the risks to the health hand safety of people and business in the area, including Welshpool’s hospital, that once clearance had been established as the most suitable and appropriate course of action, there was no value to be gained in undertaking a survey of the impact of the trees on carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The new trees will make use of carbon dioxide to grow and mature, releasing oxygen into the air. I assume that when considering what options to take on this site, that the carbon emissions were considered. Can you show me the calculations and analysis that were made showing the impact on our carbon budget in the year 2030 of the different options we could have taken, i.e. 1. Taking the actions that have just happened, i.e. removal of almost all of the trees, with the timber chipped as has been reported. 2. Removal of just the minimum to make the site safe and secure, so perhaps removal of the 20% which were Ash trees, plus size reduction in any other trees that were a potential threat to neighbouring properties. · As noted above, such was the scale of problems to be resolved, full site clearance offered the only practicable option to both resolve the challenges and establish a firm foundation for new, sustainable woodland to be created for future generations. I understand that the timber was taken from the site for chipping but that no payment has been received, can you confirm this. · The initial plan was for the trees to be chipped on site prior to removal. However, when the site was set up for the work, the highways and environmental authorities advised that to dispose of all the timber in this way would mean having to make a road and a layby to allow the chipped wood to be loaded onto lorries. Accordingly, an alternative approach has been put in place. All brash and diseased timber are chipped on site, although there is limited space to stack the brash and diseased timber to facilitate chipping due to the space constraints of the site. It was not possible, due to space constraints, to have safe access and space for a walking floor lorry on site or close by to allow for mass removal of chipped timber. Accordingly, the chips were taken away by tractor and trailer. To allow work to progress safely, a decision was made on-site to cut the timber to eight-foot log length, which could be stored safely and without compromising working arrangements prior to be hauled away by timber trucks. In addition, some of the logs were three foot six inches in girth which could not safely be put through the chipper. Three loads of timber have been removed in this way. Much of the timber is diseased (ash die back) or rotten (oak) and so has limited value. Can you confirm what has happened to the chipped timber, and whether the carbon implications of this were taken into account. · Please see above. 3. Recovery of nature. I assume that an ecology report was prepared detailing how the impact on biodiversity due the clearance could be minimised. Could I please see this report and can it be made available to the residents in Welshpool. Can you confirm that this report compared the ecological impact of the two scenarios above, i.e. complete removal vs removal of just the minimum to ensure the site was safe and secure. · The decision to undertake the tree works was driven by several key factors. Firstly, there were significant risks associated with the condition of the trees, including the potential for reputational and financial costs to the Council from any legal action by adjacent landowners or the utility company responsible for the electricity power lines running over the site. Secondly, as the landowner, the Council is legally obligated to maintain the area and ensure it does not pose a health and safety risk to the public and neighbouring property owners. There was evidence of land subsidence affecting four neighbouring gardens, caused by wind action on tall trees, which led to property damage. Additionally, the trees were interfering with high-voltage cables supplying Welshpool Hospital, posing a major risk to the local community. Incidents such as a tree falling into an adjacent property and damaging a garage roof highlighted the immediate risks. The works were planned to address the risks by removing dangerous trees and planting new ones to improve safety and biodiversity. This approach aims to mitigate health and safety risks to people living in and visiting Welshpool, property owners, utility companies, and the hospital. The clearance allowed for new tree planting, enhancing the environment and complying with the Council’s responsibilities under the Environment Act (Wales) 2016. A Tree Schedule, a Wildlife Checks Report and a Felling Schedule were completed. These are attached. Due to the extensive works needed to resolve the problems caused by the trees and growth at the site, including for example diseased trees and growth that was not conducive to the site being a varied and viable woodland in the future, a full clearance was the most appropriate approach to allow for the site to be replanted and so be more effectively and sustainably managed in the years to come. 4. There is considerable concern among residents that this felling was carried out before 1st September when in normal circumstances any works on trees and hedges are prohibited because of nesting birds. Please can you release all correspondence with Scottish Power relating to the timing of the felling, that will explain why it was imperative that this was undertaken prior to 1st September. · Initially, the trees were scheduled to be felled during late 2024/early 2025. However, Scottish Power advised the Council that it could not accommodate the original timetable due to the complexity of maintaining power with minimal disruption. This necessity to ensure power supply throughout the project was a significant factor in extending the schedule to the summer, which may have meant works being undertaken at the end of the nesting season for birds. The safety concerns posed by the trees and the need to ensure uninterrupted power were major considerations in this decision to progress the works this summer. All extensions of time were agreed and signed off by all registered bodies associated with this project. 5. Given that the works here have had a considerable impact on the local community, can you give a diary of the consultation that was carried out prior to the felling and show evidence that the community were told accurately what was due to happen. · A Briefing Note was sent to the media early in August 2024 to share with the community the works planned: “The council is overseeing the removal of the trees at Bull Dingle due to ash dieback, a fungal infection that can cause trees to become brittle and liable to fall. There is also a culvert running through the Bull Dingle, which has been previously blocked by a fallen tree which led to flooding. While we never want to cut tree downs, the trees are diseased and could pose a risk of falling on nearby properties and to those who walk through the Bull Dingle if they are not removed in a safe manner. Properties adjacent to the tree at Bull Dingle were informed of the works along with the local county councillor.” A further media briefing note is to be issued at the end of August 2025: Tree felling was needed at a popular Welshpool woodland to protect public safety and property, Powys County Council has said. The council is responding to concerns raised by residents following the removal of a significant number of trees at Bull Dingle, Welshpool. The works were carried out following extensive assessments which confirmed that many of the trees were affected by ash dieback – a serious fungal disease that weakens trees, making them brittle and at risk of falling. A culvert running through Bull Dingle had previously been blocked by a fallen tree, causing localised flooding. These combined risks posed a threat to public safety, nearby properties, and local infrastructure. Originally, the works were scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025. However, Scottish Power was unable to accommodate the initial timetable due to the complexity of maintaining power supply with minimal disruption. As a result, the schedule was extended to the summer, which may have meant works being undertaken at the end of the nesting season for birds. The council’s Senior Ecologist confirmed that the tree surveyed at Dingle Bull lacked features for bat roosting. The safety concerns posed by the trees and the need to ensure uninterrupted power were major considerations in the decision to progress the works this summer. All extensions of time were agreed and signed off by all registered bodies associated with this work. A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The decision to remove the trees was not taken lightly. The safety of residents and visitors is our top priority, and the presence of ash dieback and previous flooding incidents made intervention essential. “We acknowledge the strength of feeling in the community and the distress caused by the timing and scale of the works. Properties adjacent to Bull Dingle were notified in advance, and the local county councillor was informed and engaged throughout the process. “Looking ahead, we are committed to improving communication and engagement with residents. A review of engagement processes is underway to ensure communities feel better informed and involved in decisions affecting their local environment. “We are also exploring opportunities for replanting and ecological restoration in Bull Dingle and will work with local stakeholders to ensure future plans reflect the community’s environmental values. “We thank residents for their patience and understanding during this difficult but necessary intervention,” the spokesperson said. Letters were sent to more than 120 properties adjacent to the woodland site.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Dyw'r cyngor ddim wedi cofnodi presenoldeb ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.