Minute 739 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 18 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 739 of Cabinet held on 14th January 2021, which had been called-in to Scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the revised tree policy together with the results of the associated public consultation.

In response to questions regarding the policy and the possibility of notifying Ward Councillors of proposed locations of tree planting, the Cabinet Member for Environment & Planning gave her assurances that this would be investigated and included in the policy.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

1. That the Tree Policy set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be adopted.

2. That the development of a planting strategy that will consider the availability of land, its usage, and tree planting opportunities, be approved.

3. That it be noted that the adoption of the Tree Policy will require ongoing funding to manage the Council's tree stock, which will need to be considered as part of future budget setting.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the revised tree policy together with the results of the associated public consultation.

Resolved:-

1. That the Tree Policy set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be adopted.

2. That the development of a planting strategy that will consider the availability of land, its usage, and tree planting opportunities, be approved.

3. That it be noted that the adoption of the Tree Policy will require ongoing funding to manage the Council's tree stock, which will need to be considered as part of future budget setting.

Reason for Decision:

To help maintain the safety of our citizens and visitors and to support the increase in the Borough's canopy cover. Also, to support the 2050 vision which includes several outcomes in which trees play a part and the management of trees contributes to the response to the climate change emergency.

Other Options:

1. Continue managing council trees as per the interim management statement and not adopt a new Tree Policy.

2. Stop managing the Council's tree stock and accept that the trees will decline and the risk to citizens and visitors will increase, resulting in a rise in claims against the Council.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the revised tree policy together with the results of the associated public consultation.

Resolved:-

1. That the Tree Policy set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be adopted.

2. That the development of a planting strategy that will consider the availability of land, its usage, and tree planting opportunities, be approved.

3. That it be noted that the adoption of the Tree Policy will require ongoing funding to manage the Council's tree stock, which will need to be considered as part of future budget setting.

Reason for Decision:

To help maintain the safety of our citizens and visitors and to support the increase in the Borough's canopy cover. Also, to support the 2050 vision which includes several outcomes in which trees play a part and the management of trees contributes to the response to the climate change emergency.

Other Options:

1. Continue managing council trees as per the interim management statement and not adopt a new Tree Policy.

2. Stop managing the Council's tree stock and accept that the trees will decline and the risk to citizens and visitors will increase, resulting in a rise in claims against the Council.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

*Called-in to Place Scrutiny Committee