Local authority grants for oak with oak processionary moth (OPM)
Updated 18 November 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tree-health-pilot-scheme-2024/grants-for-oak-with-oak-processionary-moth-opm
This grant is for a local authority to work with local stakeholders to understand and manage the risks and hazards of oak processionary moth (OPM), and to raise public awareness through communications and engagement.
Oak trees must be in the OPM Established Area. The local authority can be either upper or lower tier.
The local authority will get financial support and advice to:
- organise a survey to identify OPM
- create an OPM management plan
- create a communications strategy
- produce communications materials, for example, print leaflets and signage for path diversions, and to raise awareness of site biosecurity protocols
- buy biosecurity items including tape and posts to cordon off infested areas and boot cleaning items
The OPM management plan and communications strategy will set out:
- site-specific and area-based actions and objectives
- the location and management of high-risk oak trees posing high health and safety risk (including in schools, care homes, parks and areas of high public footfall)
- actions to communicate and raise public awareness of OPM
- plans to engage with local land managers and stakeholders to manage OPM risks
- a management map to demonstrate the chosen management methods for each site
The OPM toolkit provides guidance on how to create management plans, it is one of the resources available on the OPM hub.
Email thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk to request templates of the OPM management plan and communications strategy, and an example management map.
The template also includes guidance for how to:
- set up local partnerships
- engage stakeholders
- work with a group to manage the risks of OPM
You should read the guidance on managing oak processionary moth in England before carrying out any management activities.
Grant payment rates: oak with OPM
The Forestry Commission will fund standard costs at the specified rate in the grant payment rate table, regardless of the cost to you.
Actual costs means the total amount it costs for you to carry out the work or buy goods and services.
| Type of grant | Payment rate |
|---|---|
| OPM management plan and communications strategy | £1,000 for the first 100 trees, plus £10 per additional tree up to and including 1,000 trees |
| Tree surveying | 100% of actual costs |
| Communications materials (signage, leaflets) | £300 |
| Biosecurity training (webinars) | £40 |
| Biosecurity items (posts, tape and boot cleaning items) | £30 standard cost |
You can apply for:
- up to £100,000, this is the maximum grant award
- up to 5 biosecurity kits
- 2 OPM tree surveys (one in the first year of your agreement when developing your management plan, and a second to be carried out the following year)
Apply for this grant
Submit an expression of interest or return to the THP scheme guidance.
If you need more advice, contact a woodland officer at thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk.