Corporate report

Minutes: Forest Services board meeting 29 October 2025

Published 17 April 2026

Forest Services (FS) board 32nd meeting minutes, Wednesday 29 October 2025, 10:00–12:25 via MS Teams.

Minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees and provided updates on organisational activities, including Commissioner recruitment, recent events and planned visits relating to sustainable forestry and timber security. The previous minutes were approved, and no conflicts of interest were declared. 

The board received the Directors’ update, which highlighted pressures around core funding, business planning uncertainties and challenges associated with fixed-term appointments. Recruitment controls were affecting morale, while staff were continuing to deliver well, including significant increases in lead generation. Concerns were raised about the retention of specialist posts and the impact of varying funding streams. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Sponsorship representative noted ongoing discussions about baselining and the constraints of ring-fenced funding. 

The risk and issues register prompted discussion on declining woodland management figures – partly attributed to calculation methods – with expectations of future improvement as schemes opened. Drought impacts, grant options and maintenance grant profiling were considered. Cybersecurity was flagged as an area requiring heightened attention. 

Defra provided an update on restocking appeals, development of the new Tree Action Plan, progress with Landscape Recovery, and preparation for future spending periods. The board also noted the National Audit Office review of the Nature for Climate Fund programme and staffing changes within Defra. 

The finance update indicated slight in‑year underspends due to recruitment delays and highlighted risks linked to increased grant outturns and core funding uncertainty. The spending review discussion reinforced the pressures created by dependency on Defra‑funded staffing. 

In the business plan update, the board heard that core activities were progressing steadily, though enabling activities were under strain due to capacity constraints. Several key work areas were rated red, largely because of major programme changes and tight timelines. Positives included a strong England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) pipeline and progress with Felling Licence Online v2. The board sought improved visibility of targets and discussed implications of increased EWCO application volumes. 

The strategy and values update outlined plans to finalise and publish the FS strategy in early 2026. The board considered how economic growth, housing, government priorities and measurable outcomes should be reflected. The values were well received. 

The carbon budget and growth delivery plan discussion focused on meeting legal commitments associated with the sixth carbon budget. Consideration was given to the Woodland Carbon Purchase Fund, its potential role in accelerating woodland creation, and uncertainties around scheme design.

The board also explored integration of woodland carbon units into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, market challenges, verification costs and the wider need for income diversification in forestry. Risks and dependencies were highlighted, and the board agreed the subject would require further discussion at the Commissioners’ board. 

The meeting concluded with confirmation of the next meeting date: 3 February 2026.