Minutes: Forest Services board meeting 23 May 2024
Published 17 April 2026
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Forest Services board 26th meeting minutes, Thursday 24 May 2024 between 12:30pm to 3pm in person at Foss House, York and via MS Teams.
Minutes
The Chair welcomed attendees and provided updates on recent engagements, including ministerial meetings, estate visits and organisational events. Forestry England would bid for woodland creation funding under the spending review, and quarantine capacity at Alice Holt would be expanded.
The minutes of the 1 March meeting were approved with no conflicts of interest.
Edward Barker briefed the board on the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the general election and impacts of pre-election restrictions. Several strategies and appointments were affected by these timelines.
Anna Brown reported on the launch of the Woodland Creation Fast Track and challenges with the Woodland Carbon Code. Woodlands in Management showed a slight decline on the dashboards.
Derrick Osgood updated the board that financial year 2023/24 closed near budget. National Audit Office interest in grants was addressed. Funding classifications were under discussion with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
Jane Coles confirmed publication of the business plan, and ongoing spending review work.
Mark Stevenson updated the board on local nature recovery strategies, and discussed strategic development, mapping and delivery risks.
Andrea Deol provided updates on pest and disease pressures, including Ips typographus and oak processionary moth.
Steph Rhodes discussed improving England Woodland Creation Offer while managing resource impacts.
Project speed was discussed, with board members asked to propose case studies and future agenda items.
The next scheduled board meeting would be on 16–17 July 2024.