Issue - meetings

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.

The Executive considered a report relating to the funding required to begin phase 1 of the project to plant 250,000 new trees in the Borough as part of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

During his introduction the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement highlighted the successful bid for grant funding, amounting to £300k, from Woodland Trust to contribute towards the cost of purchasing and planting the trees.  Councillor Smith advised that phase 1 of the project would include setting up the project team, development of a tree strategy and working with landowners to identify possible sites.  It was noted that around 250ha of land would be required and therefore the Council would need to work very closely with town and parish councils and other landowners.

RESOLVED 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.