Dear Mr Winters,

Thank you for your email dated 30 January 2023 to Ards and North Down Borough Council.

We confirm your request regarding squirrel conservation will be processed as a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. You will receive the information you have requested within 20 working days of the date of receipt of your request by the Council unless the Council does not hold the information or there is a reason to withhold all or part of the information requested. The Council will write to you in any event.

For further information in relation to the Freedom of Information Act we would refer you to the Information Commissioner's Office website, www.ico.org.uk

If you wish to discuss the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

FOI Team
Ards and North Down Borough Council
City Hall
The Castle
Bangor
BT20 4BT
Tel: 0300 013 3333

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Dear Mr Winters,

We refer to the above matter and write further to our acknowledgement
email of 30^th January 2023.

Your request has been processed by Ards and North Down Borough Council in
accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and please see the
Council’s response below.

 1. Does your Council record numbers of Red and Grey Squirrels on Council
owned lands and parks?

ANDBC is working with Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) and the North Down Red
Squirrel and Pine Martin Group (NDRSPMG) in relation to the monitoring and
recording of red and grey squirrel populations on council owned land. 

 2. What investment, measures or strategies has your Council adopted to
maintain populations of Red Squirrels within Council owned lands and
parks within your Borough?

ANDBC is working closely with Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) and the North
Down Red Squirrel and Pine Martin Group (NDRQPMG) to introduce specific
and targeted measures likely to have the maximum impact on grey squirrels
to the benefit of red squirrels. Measures introduced are based on reliable
data supplied and the assistance and advice from the above mentioned
groups.

Measures are currently being implemented by NDRSPMG in one urban park with
an established grey squirrel population.  It is likely measures will be
introduced across further council owned sites in the borough. This is a
targeted approach, with efforts focusing on sites / areas identified as a
result of ongoing monitoring and where populations have been located.  

 3. Has your Council signed up to the Red Squirrel Conversation Strategy
for Northern Ireland?

ANDBC is fully aware of the Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy for
Northern Ireland, the aims of the strategy and the actions listed to
achieve those aims.

Actions proposed within the strategy are a statement of intent and can be
taken on by any organisation that has the resources to carry them out. 
There is no requirement or method to sign up other than organisations
making a commitment to assist in the delivery of this strategy, depending
on availability of resources.  ANDBC’s commitment to the conservation of
the Red Squirrel is demonstrated by actions highlighted in this response.

 4. What investment has your Council committed to supporting pine martin
recovery as a key driver for Red Squirrel conversation?

The importance of the Pine Martin and its potential to be a driver in the
recovery of the Red Squirrel has been recognised by ANDBC in the Draft
Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2022 -2032 in which the Pine Martin is
listed as a Priority Species.  A number of specific actions, listed under
Theme 1 and Theme 3 of the Plan, aim to support the recovery of the Pine
Martin.   

A report was tabled at the Council’s Community and Wellbeing Committee
meeting of 21^st September 2022 regarding Control of Grey Squirrels
Response to Notice of Motion and can be viewed via the following weblink:

[1]Committee and Council Meetings July to December 2022 | Ards and North
Down Borough Council

Further details on the Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan and
current consultation can be found via the following weblink:

[2]Biodiversity | Ards and North Down Borough Council

Should you require clarification on any matter, please do not hesitate to
contact us.

We trust this is of assistance. However, should you be unhappy with the
response you may request an Internal Review by contacting
[3][Ards and North Down Borough Council request email]. Please note that requests for Internal
Reviews must be submitted within two months from the date of this
response. Further information on the Internal Review process is available
on the Council’s website.  In the event you are unhappy with the outcome
of any Internal Review conducted by Council you may apply to the
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for a review of our response.
Please note that the ICO generally expects Internal Reviews to be
completed prior to reviewing the decisions of public bodies.

Regards,

FOI Team

Ards and North Down Borough Council

City Hall

The Castle

Bangor

BT20 4BT

Tel: 0300 013 3333

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for which it was provided. If you have a data protection query, please put
your request in writing, stating clearly who you are and your query to:
Data Protection Officer, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Town Hall,
The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT, email:
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