Agenda item

To consider proposals and a timeframe for the development of a Borough-wide Tree Strategy.

The Committee considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 83 to 90, which gave details of the emerging Tree Strategy for the Borough. The Strategy would provide improved direction for tree management and guide the Council’s approach to trees across the Borough.

Fran Hobson (Service Manager, Green and Blue Infrastructure) and Laura Buck (Green Infrastructure Special Project Manager) attended the meeting to present the report and answer Member questions.

The report stated that the Tree Strategy would set out how the Council would manage its statutory responsibilities for trees and woodlands (including Council-owned trees), replanting policy, new planting schemes (including the 250k tree Climate Emergency project) and woodland management. The strategy would also cover the issues relating to the maintenance of newly planted trees in new development locations.

An early engagement survey had been carried out in November 2021 with the aim of gathering views from residents and other stakeholders about the key areas to be addressed in the strategy. The report gave details of the priorities identified in the survey, including species diversity, community involvement, preference for planting schemes, maintenance of newly planted trees and the creation and management of woodlands.

The report set out the proposed timeline for developing and agreeing the Tree Strategy. It was anticipated that the draft Tree Strategy would be ready for review in July 2022 with the aim of publishing the agreed strategy in January 2023.

In the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points:

What was the process for residents to express an interest in planting a tree in their garden? It was confirmed that residents should contact Laura Buck at WBC – laura.buck@wokingham.gov.uk

Information was also set out on the Council’s Engage platform.

The report referred to the establishment of a cross-party working group to steer the content of the Tree Strategy, with a suggested first meeting in February 2022. What was the process for identifying Members to sit on the working group? It was suggested that all Members be offered the opportunity to join the working group after liaison with the Group Leaders.

An important issue was the effective maintenance of new trees planted by developers. This was highlighted by residents in the early engagement survey. It was confirmed that the service was looking to recruit two additional officers which would increase capacity to address this and other issues. The Tree Strategy would also focus on this issue including the maintenance programme for the 250k tree Climate Emergency project.

Whilst the emerging Tree Strategy was welcome, it was too late for many new development sites in the south of the Borough where developers had not maintained newly planted trees and common areas. It was confirmed that lessons learned from these developments would be addressed in the Tree Strategy. A key issue was closer working relationships with Town and Parish Councils and local community/voluntary groups.

Recent incidents involving the loss of trees raised the question of the enforcement powers available to the Council. It was confirmed that the Council did have enforcement powers set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, for example through the use of Tree Preservation Orders. Anyone contravening a TPO was guilty of an offence and could be fined. It was important to communicate the Council’s powers to the relevant interested parties.

The 2019 Estate Infrastructure Task and Finish Group made a recommendation relating to the maintenance of newly planted trees. This would see the Council taking on the responsibility for maintenance, to be funded by a commuted sum. It was confirmed that progress against this recommendation would be investigated.

It was requested that the draft Tree Strategy be reported back to the Committee for comment before its submission to the Executive. It was confirmed that the draft strategy would be submitted to the Committee.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Fran Hobson and Laura Buck be thanked for attending the meeting to present the report and answer Member questions;

2)     the results from the Tree Strategy early engagement survey be noted;

3)     the timeline and milestones for the emerging Tree Strategy be noted, with the request that the timeline be shortened if possible;

4)     the draft Tree Strategy be submitted to the Committee for comment before consideration and approval by the Council’s Executive.