Minute 703 (Cabinet Book 3, Agenda Item No. 17 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 703 of Cabinet held on Thursday, 16th January 2020, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) responding to the Notice of Motion, presented at the last meeting of Council, concerning tree cover in the Borough.

The Committee took the opportunity to ask the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning a number of questions regarding the proposed policy.  These included:

•  the type of trees to planted i.e. deciduous or evergreen and the use of shrubs etc;

•  where the trees would be planted within the Borough; and

•  the inclusion within the policy of an “aspiration” to double of trees in the Borough.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning confirmed that the new policy would be based on best practice and a tree canopy assessment and gave her assurances that nothing would be ruled out at this stage.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

“1.  That the motion to double tree cover of the Borough, be noted.

2.  That the management of the towns tree cover as an urban forest, be approved.

3.  That it be acknowledged that tree canopy cover and an approach to planting will form part of the upcoming Tree and Woodland Policy.

4.  That the benefit that a mosaic of habitats and variety of green infrastructure can have on the environment and the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors, be acknowledged.

5.  That the future of tree planting and the canopy cover within the Borough will be based on an approach to be outlined in the upcoming Tree and Woodland Policy.

6.  That the ongoing work to help educate and inform residents about tree management in the Borough, be acknowledged.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney