Minutes: Forest Services board meeting 7 November 2024
Published 17 April 2026
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Forest Services board 28th meeting minutes, Thursday 7 November 2024, 10:00–12:00 via MS Teams.
Minutes
The Chair welcomed participants. Clarifications were made regarding previous discussions on the Woodland Carbon Code, focusing on verification rather than registration costs. Further discussion covered additionality challenges, communications planning for the Charter for Trees and questions around forestry policy responsibilities under the Forestry Act 1967. Updates were shared on government appointments and external sector engagement.
Updates highlighted improvements in England Woodland Creation Offer delivery, felling licence processing, and the Development Woodland Officer programme. Concerns were raised about Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) submitting exotic species proposals without Forestry Commission oversight. The board discussed impacts of outreach events, squirrel and deer policy, Christmas tree classification and judicial review issues. Risk appetite and risk deep‑dives were considered. Defra updated on spending pressures, tax changes and uncertainties around Environmental Land Management and Nature for Climate Fund funding. The board expressed strong concern over 400 posts at risk and the consequences for woodland creation and organisational resilience.
The finance update indicated possible in‑year underspend but significant risk of overspend in 2025. Business plan Q2 showed progress but delays in policy decisions and budget constraints. The board emphasised the need to protect statutory work and identify early which non‑statutory activities should cease if cuts proceed.
The board discussed the spending review, and noted possible resourcing reductions. reductions that could lead to up to 150 job losses. The integrated nature of FS resourcing makes modelling difficult without clarity on funding baselines. Severe risks to sector confidence, statutory targets and Forestry Commission capability were highlighted. The board requested greater transparency in advice to ministers and inclusion in key discussions.
The staff survey showed declining sentiment on pay but strengths in workload management and health and safety. A forestry sector skills plan is being prepared with sector partners.
The new Internal Board Experience Placement Scheme was discussed, including whether placements should be joint Forest Services and Forestry England or separate. The board effectiveness review raised points on accountability, profile and agenda focus, with suggestions including a monthly reading list.
The board noted thanks to Steph Rhodes at her final meeting.
The next scheduled board meeting would be on 28 January 2025, via MS Teams.