Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

(Note: Kathy Fletcher, Tree Warden, has been invited to attend the meeting for this item.)

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a presentation by a Tree Warden, Kathy Fletcher, on the work of the Tree Wardens.

The Coventry Tree Warden Network was constituted in the Spring of 2014. Tree Wardens could get involved with a range of activities, from practical projects such as planting and caring for trees, to gathering information about local trees and developing imaginative projects to encourage others, including schoolchildren, to value their local trees and woods. The organisation was run and managed by volunteers.

The Network aimed to:

·  Raise the profile of trees and hedgerows around Coventry and its environs.

·  Provide a forum for tree and hedgerow related issues.

·  Gather and disseminate information about trees and hedgerows to aid proper

·  Management and maintenance.

·  Promote the benefits of trees and hedgerows by raising awareness and through education.

·  Liaise with statutory bodies and other organisations to influence policy and decision making.

·  Encourage, promote and support practical projects associated with trees, woods and hedgerows.

·  Raise public awareness of the Network, its objectives and activities.

Activities that the Network had been involved in included:

·  Tree Council Forum at Coombe in October 2018

·  Heritage Open Days, September 2018

·  Godiva Festival, September 2018

·  Kingsfield Gardens (aka Kingsway orchard)

·  Cut and sold mistletoe (Lord Mayor’s Charity)

·  Monthly training

·  Commented on planning applications

·  Grant applications

·  Trips and events

·  Tree evaluations

·  Answered questions

·  Planted trees

The Local Authority supported the Wardens daily with advice and information, provided tools and equipment, and consulted them where Council projects would affect trees or hedgerow. They had an excellent working relationship with the Tree Wardens.

The Board questioned the Tree Warden and officers and discussed the following issues:

·  Encouraging the inclusion of landscaping in industrial and urban developments

·  The health and wellbeing benefits of trees and hedgerows

·  Innovative examples of urban living that includes green space and landscaping, across the world

·  Tree evaluations – most expensive evaluation £500,000

·  The location and species of the oldest trees in the City

·  The diversity of tree species that the City offers that combat a range of issues i.e. pests and diseases

·  Further planting for the City Centre area

·  The Local Plan’s Tree Protection Policy

·  Mapping of the city’s trees and identification of areas for new tree and hedgerow planting

·  Working with schools

·  Creating woodland environments where appropriate/where there are no development proposals

·  The need for financial modelling in addition to tree planting

·  The established working relationship between the Local Authority and the Tree Wardens

·  Review of the Tree pollarding schedule

·  Review of grass growth around trees - limiting the growth of grass to a distance from the base of the trunk that would offer better protection for trees and their roots.

The Board thanked Kathy Fletcher for her attendance at the meeting and the interesting presentation she provided for Members and acknowledged the good working relationship that the Tree Wardens had established with the City Council.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3):

1)  Notes the presentation by Tree Warden, Kathy Fletcher.

2)  Notes the work undertaken by the Coventry Trees Wardens Network and the working relationship established between the Wardens and the City Council.

3)  Agrees that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities be requested to:

i)  Consider including vegetation when developing public realm in the City Centre

ii)  Request that officers undertake a definitive mapping exercise of tree stock across the City, where resources are available.