Agenda item

The Committee considered a report and presentation of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change which provided an update on the Council’s Tree Management Policy(for copy of report and presentation see file). 

Ged Lawson, Principal Landscape Officer, delivered the presentation and explained that the Tree Management Policy sets out the Council’s approach to managing trees in its ownership, under its management and trees in private ownership that pose a safety risk to the public. The current policy, which is under review, was approved by Cabinet in July 2014, following a public consultation exercise.

The Principal Landscape Officerdescribed the scope of the policy which includes setting out the Council’s approach to the inspection and maintenance of trees, tree care issues, damage caused by trees and trees on private land affecting public safety. The Policy also covers Tree Preservation Orders, trees in conservation areas, matters relating to development and replacement tree planting, biosecurity and tree pruning techniques.

The Committee noted the policy is an important corporate document which is used to provide information to the public on tree related matters and it helps to provide a consistent approach to dealing with customer enquiries.  The current review of the policy will take account of recent changes in local and national policy as well as changes in Council procedures.  It will also align with related key plans and strategies including the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Trees, Woodlands and Hedges, the Climate Emergency Response Plan and the Ecological Emergency Action Plan.

The Principal Landscape Officer referred to the Council’s approach to tree inspection and maintenance which in the past has been reactive and he informed the Committee that a more proactive programme of tree inspections is being developed by the Council. He introduced Stuart Hibbert, Senior Tree Officer, who was appointed in 2022 to assist in the development and implementation of the new tree inspection procedure, which will be reported to Cabinet for approval in due course. The Tree Management Policy will embed the inspection procedure. 

The Committee heard that existing policy whilst well-founded, has areas that will benefit from further clarification, for example, how claims are dealt with by the Council’s insurers. In addition, new areas have been identified for inclusion such as the effect of vegetation on horses.  As the current policy does not reference woodland management, that may be an area to address in the revised policy.

The Principal Landscape Officer referred to the alignment of the Tree Management Policy to the SPD on Trees, Woodlands and Hedges which is part of the County Durham Plan and confirmed that revisions made in relevant sections of the policy will need to be reflected in the SPD. 

The revised policy will include information on the Council’s approach to Ash dieback (ADB) on trees in its care and the Committee noted that ADB surveys are to be undertaken across the county in the near future which will undoubtedly add pressure to resources and other aspects of tree management.

The officer concluded that whilst the policy review period is July-September 2023, the exact timeframe as to when the revised policy will be considered by Cabinet will be informed by the progress of the tree inspection procedure and the SPD.

The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation and invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Brown commented that she would like to see the revised policy include more detailed information on disease management, to reflect the increase in pathogens due to climate change and the Principal Landscape Officer accepted that it would be useful to include more information on biosecurity in the revised policy.

Councillor Peeke referred to concerns regarding large species of tree which cause nuisance to residents through lack of light and leaf-fall and their frustration at the current policy which does not seem to address the issues.  The Principal Landscape Officerresponded that the Council is managing a legacy and, in some cases, gradually replacing older trees with a new generation of trees is the most appropriate method of management. He commented that larger trees may bring environmental benefits and they are not necessarily dangerous as their height can be a safety feature. The policy includes an element of discretion and the Council does review situations to investigate work that could be done to alleviate problems and he confirmed that this area is being considered in the review. 

Councillor Adam referred to paragraph 9.7 of the existing policy which gives flexibility to carry out tree works to improve light levels for elderly, infirm and disabled persons and he questioned why the flexibility was restricted.

The Principal Landscape officer acknowledged that the consultation highlighted that tree matters can cause conflict and therefore he would like to see the policy enabling greater discretion, however there is a balance to be maintained and factors such as costs and good arboricultural practice also need to be considered.

Councillor Adam commented on the proactive approach to tree inspections and asked if this was likely to lead to more work for the Clean and Green team.  The Principal Landscape officer informed the Committee that additional staff had been appointed and it will be necessary to adjust activities in order to focus on inspections and manage the increase in work generated by the Ash dieback survey.

The Environment and Design Manager highlighted that, as the service was considering gradually introducing natural maintenance regimes, this could allow resources to be reprioritised in some areas. 

Councillor Elmer referred to the comments made by Councillors Peeke and Adam regarding the number of issues reported by residents when trees on Council land cause nuisance or damage and their frustration when damage from trees caused by storms is not covered by insurers as it is considered an act of God.  The Principal Landscape officer replied that whilst insurance and liability issues were outside of the policy, the policy should include an explanation of the Council’s position.

Councillor Elmer continued that he was pleased to see that the SPD on Trees, Woodlands and Hedges was being developed in parallel with the Tree Policy and he hoped this would lead to more protection for trees from the negative impacts of planning decisions.  He concluded by commenting that he would like to see the Tree Policy acknowledge the need to adapt to climate change and the ecological emergency.

Resolved:

The Committee:

a)    Noted the report and presentation.

b)    Agreed that a further update on the Tree Management Policy be included in the next work programme.