Question 1

As mentioned in the minutes of the July 2024 meeting, trees in the Park are under significant pressure of disease. Is replanting with more resilient species underway or planned? If so, what is the time-frame for replanting? Which species are being used and in what quantities?

Answer 1

Thank you for your question Adapting to climate change and diseases presents a considerable financial and labour challenge for the Park, and has been particularly prominent in the past few years. As a result, the Park has undertaken significant work to replant effected areas, and begun a transition to planting climate resilient species. Over the past 3 years, around 2,000 trees have been planted across several areas of woodland in the Park, including two plantations in the Deer Park, an area in Picklecombe Valley, and the replanting of avenue trees and felled trees in the lower park. The species planted have been Beech, Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Hornbeam, Wild Cherry, Limes, Birch, Field Maple, Rowan, and Holly. We, along with the rest of the country, are suffering from Ash Die Back. The Park undertakes a yearly Ash Die Back survey in the months of June and July, before removing or pollarding infected trees where they may be at high risk of causing injury or damage to property. Those of low risk are left in the hope that they maybe resilient or become resilient to the disease. Some areas of ash will be left to naturally regenerate, while others will be re-planted with the above mentioned species. Unfortunately, it is anticipated that this will be an ongoing project as climate change and disease continually adapt, presenting new challenges.

Question 2

What is the current status of the draft Conservation Management Plan for Mount Edgcumbe Country Park?

Answer 2

Thank you for your question. Phase one surveys conducted by LandUse Consultants are underway and are nearing completion. These will form part of the PA1 application for Countryside Stewardship as well as informing the CMP. With regards to the over-arching Conservation Management Plan (Phase 2): · An Expression of Interest was submitted by Cornwall Council on behalf of the Joint Committee to the NLHF in April 2024 and we received permission to submit an application within 12 months; · A draft application has been developed by the officer working group which has been informed by the preparation of a brief for the CMP and two estimates received; · Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council will now be taking the decision to apply to the NLHF through their respective approval processes, including the requirement for both councils to provide a minimum of 10% match funding; · Our ambition is that we will have all the necessary approvals and match funding in place by January 2025, allowing us to submit the application to the NLHF; · The NLHF decision will be 3 months after the submission of the application and if we are successful, we will then go out to tender for the CMP in April/May 2025 for the work to commence in the summer; · We anticipate that the CMP may require 9-12 months to complete to allow sufficient time for public consultation

Question 3

In 2023/24 ‘rents’ produced 18 per cent of net trading income. In the interest of transparency, can the Joint Committee provide a breakdown of this figure (e.g. catering, office accommodation, shops, grazing, Cremyll ferry etc.)?

Answer 3

Thank you for your question. These figures requested are commercially sensitive information, and are restricted under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act – ‘information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person (an individual, a company, the public authority itself or any other legal entity’.

Question 4

In light of the obligations and responsibilities under the ‘Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (2023)’, how has the MEJC/MECP/PCC been- and/or is CURRENTLY making progress in securing the protected SSSI status at Rame Head, ‘in a proactive, methodical manner, and as a priority for MECP and the wider community’?

Answer 4

Thank you for your question. The conservation and appropriate management of the SSSI at Rame Head is of upmost priority to both Park management and the Joint Committee. Since the removal of the grazing ponies earlier this year, we are aware of a number of complaints raised by members of the public and ongoing concerns towards the condition of the site. Mount Edgcumbe Country Park (MECP) has acted proactively to arrange meetings with the relevant parties, and remains in contact with both Natural England and the tenant farmer. The responsibility for the management of the SSSI habitat at Rame Head rests with any occupier (tenant) of the land, and its designation and monitoring is the responsibility of Natural England. MECP has requested the restoration of appropriate grazing at the site to ensure appropriate long-term habitat management, and will continue to negotiate for this. Natural England are aware of the removal of the ponies and concerns regarding degradation to the site. As the body responsible for designating and monitoring SSSIs, they can be contacted at DevonCornwallandIslesofScilly@naturalengland.org.uk .’