Agenda item - Arboriculture [tree] Strategy permission to go to public consultation

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)            That the Committee agrees to the implementation of a new inspection regime for the City’s parks and open spaces trees as set out in the strategy section 4.2 and appendix 2

2)            That the Committee agrees that the attached strategy is put out for public consultation for all other aspects as set out in section 5, prior to returning the strategy to this committee for final approval and adoption.

3)            That committee requests that as part of the current review of the strategy, that officers be asked to:

•        provide more details within Tree Species Selection List (Appendix 4) on the climate change resilience and carbon capture potential of tree species identified;

•        explore the potential for BHCC to contribute to appropriate forest restoration in the local area

And that further, that this committee agrees to:

•        commission a report on the feasibility of the Council establishing a carbon reduction scheme, to enable local residents and businesses to invest in woodland planting, energy schemes and other local carbon reduction and carbon capturing projects

37.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that sought agreement to the implementation of a new inspection regime for the City’s parks and open spaces trees and requested permission for the Arboriculturally Strategy to be put out for public consultation.

37.2      On behalf of the Green Group, Councillor West moved a motion to add a recommendation 2.3 as shown in bold italics below:

2.3     That committee requests that as part of the current review of the strategy, that officers be asked to:

·         provide more details within Tree Species Selection List (Appendix 4) on the climate change resilience and carbon capture potential of tree species identified;

·         explore the potential for BHCC to contribute to appropriate forest restoration in the local area

And that further, that this committee agrees to:

·         commission a report on the feasibility of the Council establishing a carbon reduction scheme, to enable local residents and businesses to invest in woodland planting, energy schemes and other local carbon reduction and carbon capturing projects

37.3      Introducing the motion, Councillor West explained its intention was to ensure that the species of trees planted were disease resistant, that they could adapt to the changing conditions relating to climate change and made as big as possible contribution to reducing carbon. The second part of the motion related to a feasibility study of a carbon reduction scheme. Councillor West noted that tree planting on the Brighton Downland may not be appropriate due to the landscape sensitivity of this characteristically open downland. However, it was feasible new trees could be planted beyond the borough in the Weald.

37.4      Councillor Lloyd formally seconded the motion.

37.5      Councillor Wares commended the standard of the report and the detail of the widespread work ongoing and proposed in the city relating to the matter. Councillor Wares proposed that smaller trees be used on streets as they would be easier to maintain. In relation to page 2322 of the agenda, Councillor Wares queried the quote of £2,000 to plant a new tree.

37.6      The Head of Operations- Cityparks explained that this was a mean figure as the price varied dramatically from location to location with street trees specifically expensive to plant.

37.7      The Chair then put the motion to the vote that passed.

37.8      The Chair then put the recommendations, as amended to the vote that was agreed.

37.9      RESOLVED-

1)            That the Committee agrees to the implementation of a new inspection regime for the City’s parks and open spaces trees as set out in the strategy section 4.2 and appendix 2

2)            That the Committee agrees that the attached strategy is put out for public consultation for all other aspects as set out in section 5, prior to returning the strategy to this committee for final approval and adoption.

3)            That committee requests that as part of the current review of the strategy, that officers be asked to:

•        provide more details within Tree Species Selection List (Appendix 4) on the climate change resilience and carbon capture potential of tree species identified;

•        explore the potential for BHCC to contribute to appropriate forest restoration in the local area

And that further, that this committee agrees to:

•        commission a report on the feasibility of the Council establishing a carbon reduction scheme, to enable local residents and businesses to invest in woodland planting, energy schemes and other local carbon reduction and carbon capturing projects