NFfW Forest Management Plans

1. INTRODUCTION An award has been made by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to appoint the services of a contractor, to undertake the assessment of two woodlands in NPT with a view of delivering two forest management reports. Our changing climate is leading to more pressure being put on our natural environment. Heavier rainfall, stronger winds and increasing numbers of storms are causing more forests to become eroded and damaged. In return, this has a considerable impact on the flora and fauna relying on them as well as affecting their ability to deliver ecosystem services. Understanding where we are in terms of the status of our forests at Margam and Cwmafan will enable the council to have a clearer strategy in terms of identifying priorities for management. It will also allow us to deliver healthier, more sustainable forests not just for now but for the future. 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Neath Port Talbot is fortunate to be the host of some of the most amazing forests in the country. Margam Country Park is well known for its cultural heritage and its deer population but, this site also includes some large expanses of natural woodlands. When travelling along the active travel route in Cwmafan, there are also riparian woodlands which often go unnoticed but which, nonetheless, play a key role in the management of water, support for a range of flora and fauna as well as provide shelter from winds, pollution and noise. However, these gems are under constant pressures due to our changing climate. Wetter and windier conditions are severely impacting our forests and the species they support. Watercourses fluctuate, soils erode quicker than they are created and these conditions often allow non-native species to thrive and smother our native plants thus having a significant impact on the fauna dependent on them. Recognising where our priorities should be in terms of a healthier forest has never been more important. The National Forest for Wales Fund is a grant scheme which aims to secure the future of our forests and to encourage more connectivity. With the declared nature and climate’s emergency, it is crucial that we look after nature and help people understand its importance. With the support of the Welsh Government’s National Forest Grant, we are hoping to focus our efforts on identifying key priorities for the forests at Margam Country Park but also at Cwmafan Active Travel route guided by the findings from the forest management reports. The project will be managed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s Countryside and Wildlife Team. 2.1 LOCATION Project activity headquarters is based at the Council’s offices at The Quays, Brunel Way, Baglan Energy Park, Briton Ferry, SA11 2GG, however it is expected that the majority of meetings / engagement will be undertaken on Teams/ Zoom. 2.2 PROJECT TIMESCALE The Council are looking for a suitable contractor to complete the works, as detailed below, within an anticipated timescale of 1st March 2027. 3. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS It is the expectation of the chosen contractor to carry out forest site assessments and deliver one report per location. All works are expected to meet all relevant standards and health and safety regulations. The project aims to highlight the key priorities for managing the forests at two sites in a sustainable way: - Margam Country Park - Cwmafan Active Travel Route (location plans to be provided as part of this tendering process) Knowledge and/or experience in forest assessment and reporting, and the delivery of a similar project/s is essential with particular focus on working within sensitive sites like public parks. 4. DELIVERABLES The contractor will be expected to produce two forest management plans (one for Cwmafan and one for Margam, including the following: 1. Work closely with the Urban Nature and Biodiversity teams to discuss works and procedures 2. Undertake forest condition assessment at two sites through 4 sites visits (namely two per sites: one in the summer and again in the autumn/ early winter) 3. Produce detailed reports of the findings identifying key priorities for each site 4. Identify where possible, opportunities for community involvement 5. Provide detailed plans/ maps through GIS, clearly defining boundaries of blocks/ sections, Invasive Non-Native Species locations, and providing What3Words location for those trees which would require particular attention 6. Maintain regular communication with the council in relation to work progress, start dates and timescales. Completion of the works anticipated to take place before or on 1st March 2027.