Agenda item

The Head of Leisure, Parks and Countryside presented a report to Members accompanied by a presentation that updated Members on the work of the Council and the Local Nature Partnership in relation to biodiversity in RCT and the future direction of the work. The report outlined the significant role of the Council in the management of biodiversity in its own Land.

The Ecologist presented the presentation highlighting the different projects being undertaken by Rhonda Cynon Taff Council to maintain Biodiversity under the Biodiversity Duty imposed by the Welsh Government. The Ecologist stated that utilising the Planning Function within the Council has aided in delivery of large-scale biodiversity improvements across the Borough. The projects consist of Upland Wind Farms, and Healthy Hill-Side project with partnerships from South Wales Fire and Rescue.

The Ecologist highlighted to Members the significance of Land Management in RCT and the vitality of the Council to identify ways to maintain RCT Land better for biodiversity.  The Wildflower Policy introduced by the Council sets out the how, and where Wildflower management will be undertaken in RCT. The aim is to increase the amount of Wildfire Management brought forward to the Committee.

As part of the Wildflower Management, funding from the Local Nature Plan has provided the Wildflower Management with 2 specialised Machinery which maintain Wildflowers across the Borough i.e., 70 hectares of wildflower management is currently being undertaken by the Machines and 50 hectares by Cattle Crazing.

The Ecologist outlined to Members that through the success of Wildflower management, as a Council, we are reaching the Pollinator Action implemented by the Welsh Government.

The Ecologist highlighted to Members the significance of Community engagement in relation to the delivery of biodiversity. As part of the Local Nature Partnership, Community engagement is focal, thus focus on open communication Channels is encouraged between the Council and the Public; Thus, the introduction of Living Landscape Project which focuses on the management of Council owned Land for biodiversity by residential areas to encourage direct engagement with residents. 

The Chair thanked the Ecologist for a very interesting presentation and opened to Members for questions.

A Member queried on the Councils plan to undertake work at Mynydd Y Glyn regarding the Wind Turbines in Tonyrefail, as the residents are really excited about the land and Habitats in that area i.e, Butterflies. The Member noted his interest in being a part of the project for Tonyrefail area.

The same member queried the Councils plan on the maintenance of the Japanese Knotweed along the A4119 and Himalaya Balsam which has seen extensive widespread.  The Ecologist advised that in relation to Mynydd Y Glyn he is aware of the proposals for the Wind Turbines development which will be delt with through planning applications. The Ecologist is aware of the Peatbogs and other Habitats in the area, same processes will be implemented as all other planning applications for Wind Farms Scheme to identify the ecological impacts and implications.

In relation to the Tonyrefail SSSI, the Ecologist recognised the incredible Landscapes within that area. One of the 29 sites, Parc Erin, West of Tonyrefail Comprehensive has been focused on the Living Landscape project due to the amount of Marshy Grass and SSSI Woodland. With the focus on Parc Erin on the Living Landscape project this will provide residents of Tonyrefail with the opportunity to visit the Habitats nearer to their homes.

In relation to Japanese Knotweed, the Ecologist recognised the difficulty of managing the spread of Japanese Knotweed; However, highlighted the Councils efforts in controlling the spread through the recruitment of a new Invasive Plant Officer to manage the Japanese Knotweed across the Borough. Compared to Japanese Knotweed Himalayan Balsam can be controlled by pulling out the whole plant or spraying it in a controlled way.

The Chair requested for an Invasive Plant Officer to be invited to the next Public Service Delivery Committee and prosperity meeting to get further insight on the planned management of Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam for County Borough. 

One member was very pleased with the work undertaken by the Local Nature Partnerships, however queried the support in place to support Community groups working on Private Land maintaining biodiversity such as in the Tynant Woodlands.

The Ecologist recognised the difficulties relating to the management of Private Land, especially in an area subject to future planning applications. He acknowledged the significance of the Tynant Woodlands site nature conservation. He referred the Community Engagement with the Local Nature Plan as a significant matter as it provided a collective overview of what residents of Rhonda Cynon Taf value as the important. The Ecologist made Members aware of small funding availability for biodiversity works which the Member can explore as support for the Community Group. He however stressed the limitations of the Council in dealing with Privately owned Land.

The Chair requested for a collate of information regarding Private sites in RCT to provide the Committee with an update on all projects being undertaken by Community groups.

The Ecologist informed Members that as part of the Local Nature Plan, a collation of all projects currently being undertaken in the delivery of biodiversity on private and Council owned Land will look to be logged and monitored.

A Member referred to Japanese Knotweed, he advised that this is a matter which should involve the Scrutiny Committee as a separate matter due to the problematic issues it causes to residents, i.e reducing house prices etc. In agreements with the Chair the Members stresses the significance of the attendance of Invasion Plant Officer to identify ways to resolve this matter.

The Member also inquired about the project partnerships with Welcome to our Woods and the Skylight project of Community ownership and forestry ownership. The Ecologist confirmed partnership between Welcome to our Woods and the Skylight project as there are ties in the peat bogs restorations.

One Member inquired about the Peat Land Drainage and if there were any projects in place to reclaim old Peat Bogs.

The Ecologist advised that there are 6 large scale habitat restoration in place as part of Wind Farm developments, there aim is to block drains, increase water levels and restore the Peat Bogs. He advised that there are currently two projects in progress to restore Peat Bogs, one located in the Hirwaun industrial estate with partnership with National Grid which receives green energy from the turbines. He advised the other project is through the Climate Change Steering Working Group, who are utilising a Peatland Hydrologist to identify potential Peat Bogs area worth the Councils investment.

The Ecologist informed Members of the Cabinet that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council possesses one of the biggest areas of Peatland within Southern Wales and the significance of restoring these sites is vital. 

Due to numerous complaints being received from residents concerning Grass not being cut; the Member queried on the Council’s plan to inform residents of the grass growth as part of RCT’s biodiversity plan. 

As efforts have been made to plant trees in areas such as Parc Celyn for biodiversity, there have been numerous vandalisms that have occurred resulting in planted trees being broken and ripped out; The Member inquired on the Councils role to stop this vandalism from occurring. 

The Head of Leisure, Parks and Countryside acknowledged this; informing Members of the 700 trees planted in Parks last Winter which were also vandalised. As part of a plan to resolve the matter, the team are planting bigger trees and plan to educate residents of the significance of the trees for now and future generations to come.

To Add, The Ecologist informed Members that as part of the Living Landscape project is to provide information to residents for instance through links to the website to better inform. As part of the Let’s Talk Wildflowers scheme last year, the aim was to provide residents with open communication channels to share ideas and identify the public position towards wildflowers in their areas.

The Chair was very pleased with the well informing presentation regarding biodiversity, he wanted to receive further information on what plans are in place for Parks in RCT for planting wildflowers. As Councillors of areas, the Chair advised of the vitality of being kept up to date on areas that have not had grass cut to inform residents to eliminate misunderstandings between the Council and its residents. The Chair also inquired on the Staff levels within the team to ensure they are better equipped for projects. And Lastly, in relation to wildflowers, the Chair inquired if more plants will be bought from specialist areas.

The Ecologist informed Members of the substantial number of wildflowers which exist in numerous sites across RCT. He advised as a Council, if management plans are maintained as a Borough, numerous wildflowers will emerge.  He informed Members that biodiversity in RCT is not as broken as other parts of Britain.

The Chair informed Members of his encouragement to involve Schools in RCT to progress the project further due to the significance of the younger generation for the future.

A Cabinet Member was pleased with the report as it’s been well received in other Committees such as the Climate Change Steering Group. She has recognised a big shift in attitude in RCT concerning the cross collaboration between Street Care, Parks and Countryside and is very pleased with Officers involvement. As a Committee she advised to keep up to date with reports and sharing these with residents. The Cabinet Members thanked Officers the reports on top on their day-to-day roles.

The Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity RESOLVED to:

-       Note the progress made in RCT in recent years and the increasing importance of biodiversity conservation in the Council’s work.

-       Agree to receive a further report on local information in the new year and invite the invasive plants officer.