Decision details

Carbon Capture via the Planting of 250,000 New Trees

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval for the funding of the project to create new woodland ecosystems by planting 250,000 new trees in the Borough, as part of the actions in the Climate Emergency Action Plane approved at Council on 23rd January 2020.

Decision:

That:

 

1)               Officers be given approval to begin phase 1 of the project, including the recruitment of a project manager, completion of a feasibility study and tree strategy, and start-up of the small woodland planting and community garden planting initiative;

 

2)               £350,000 of capital borrowing be approved to fund the first phase of the project. The £350,000 requested will ultimately be funded as part of the invest to save scheme for the overall capital project (preliminary calculations show these costs can be comfortably accommodated); 

 

3)               It be noted that the estimated pay back of the full cost of the scheme is likely to be within 4 years of project completion, with an annual surplus thereafter to be confirmed with updated business case;

 

4)               It be noted that a further report, including a full Business Case and additional funding requirements, will be presented to the Executive for approval early next year.

Wards Affected: None Specific;

Declarations: None

Dispensations: None

Reference Number: WBC1211

Contact: Andrew Fletcher Email: andrew.fletcher@wokingham.gov.uk Tel: 0118 908 6593.

Report author: Andrew Fletcher

Publication date: 29/07/2021

Date of decision: 29/07/2021

Decided at meeting: 29/07/2021 - Executive

Effective from: 07/08/2021

Accompanying Documents: