Minutes: Forest Services board meeting 28 January 2025
Published 17 April 2026
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Forest Services board 29th meeting minutes, Tuesday 28 January, 10:30–13:00 via MS Teams.
Minutes
Sir William Worsley opened the meeting with updates from recent engagements, including key discussions on green finance, pests and diseases, woodland resilience and legislative matters. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
The directors’ update focused on the challenging business planning and spending review process. Issues discussed included communication challenges with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, fixed-term appointments and policy considerations on exotic species. Positive progress was reported on agreements, applications and recognition of staff achievements.
The board noted the risk register and dashboards, discussing grant closures, woodland creation data, application processing and accessibility metrics. Issues with Rural Payments Agency processes and data improvements were also covered.
Financial updates confirmed an in-year balanced position, though risks remained around capital departmental expenditure limit utilisation and grant uptake. Business planning highlighted potential overspends, reductions in full-time equivalents and pressure from spending review phase 2.
The Q3 business plan update reported stable performance but concerns around resource uncertainty. The board discussed wider natural capital markets and ecosystem services.
The board considered woodland carbon entering the UK emissions trading scheme, discussing carbon permanence, land-based carbon markets and stakeholder views. The land use framework presentation covered consultation plans, forestry representation and development of a new tree and woodland strategy.
The next scheduled board meeting would be on 25–26 March.