Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               adoption of the Tree Management and Protection Policy 2023-2028 be approved; and

b)               the use of the amended Conservation Area Tree Notification and Tree Preservation Order evaluation sheet be approved.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth, which outlined proposals to adopt the revised Tree Management and Protection Policy 2023 – 2028.

Councillor Upton referred to the immense importance of and benefits from trees, including the key contribution they made to the character of the Borough, whilst confirming that Rushcliffe had the lowest tree cover of any district or borough in the county, hence the need to be proactive.  Councillor Upton advised that the Policy provided guidance on how the Council would manage its own trees, respond to requests for work from the public, and how it dealt with its statutory duties.  The Policy also contained a revision to the Council’s points-based assessment, for the making of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).  Councillor Upton advised that legislation covering TPOs allowed for significant discretion, and officers used the points-based assessment, detailed in Paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 of the report during that process.  Cabinet noted that the Policy had been considered by the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group, when it had recommended that greater consideration be given to the wildlife value of trees, and that had been incorporated into the revised Policy.  Paragraphs 4.5 and 4.6 referred to native and non-native trees, and Councillor Upton suggested that this issue might need to be considered during the next revision in 2028.  Cabinet was advised that the Policy was split into two sections, with the first covering the management of Council owned trees, as detailed in Paragraph 4.1, and the second covering the Council’s statutory duties as detailed on Paragraph 4.2. 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis reiterated the comments made by Councillor Upton regarding the importance of trees and the need to ensure that the Borough’s deficit was addressed, as could be seen with the fantastic take up of the Free Tree Scheme in recent years.  Councillor Inglis thanked the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group and officers for their hard work in drafting the document, which he felt would enhance protection to existing trees and wildlife.  Councillor Inglis referred to the recent national outcry over the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, and stated that such passion was required, as trees needed protection now and for future generations.  

Councillor Brennan referred to the popularity of the Free Tree Scheme, and that despite the Borough being very rural and green, it had a surprisingly low level of tree cover.  She thanked everyone involved in drafting the very readable document and felt that everyone would agree that trees were very important.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               adoption of the Tree Management and Protection Policy 2023-2028 be approved; and

b)               the use of the amended Conservation Area Tree Notification and Tree Preservation Order evaluation sheet be approved.