Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered a Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) on the progress being made in the development of the City Council’s Urban Forestry Strategy. The draft Strategy was attached as an Appendix to the report.

The draft Coventry Urban Forestry Strategy outlined the current condition and state of the urban forestry and recognised the value and importance of the urban forest, particularly in mitigating pollution, heat, flooding and wind as well as its value towards biodiversity, wildlife, the community's health and wellbeing, overall quality of the urban environment and economic value.

Reductions in government spending had led to a decreased spend in greenspaces resulting in the lack of funding identified as a main constraint in  improving and maintaining tree stock. Focus would be made in maximising funding through S106 agreements, exploiting opportunities arising from Regeneration and Business Improvement Districts in establishing sustainable urban forests, along with establishing effective partnerships with developers and landowners.

The importance of strategically managing the urban forest was highlighted and the Strategy made reference to Council Policies which touched the City’s urban forest, including the Coventry City Council Area Action Plan, Development Strategy and the recently adopted Greenspace Strategy.

The draft Strategy acknowledged the significant work of Coventry’s Urban Forestry Team to explore new ways of working and provide better value for money in tree maintenance. A number of aspects were recognised as significant, including the management of all street trees, the adoption of Tree Risk Management processes to ensure the establishment of new trees.

In addition to measures in Coventry to protect urban trees, the Strategy suggested that the need to communicate the benefits of trees as well as enforcement was important and identified a number of issues for consideration, including  policies which took into consideration the life cycle of the tree and its value to the environment, strong policies on enforcement and sustainable compensation measures and the protection of ancient woodlands and veteran trees.

The need to develop a resilient and sustainable urban forest was highlighted and which should be directed by strong policies to establish wide ranging tree sizes and species distributions. Aspects seen as important in achieving this were tree mapping to identify gaps and establish population improvements, achieving a balance of numbers and genetic diversity, aiming to plant more and fell less, developing a species mix to protect against the impacts of disease and pathogens.

The draft strategy contained themes and key actions on:

•  Planning: ensuring we have robust and relevant urban forest policies and technical guidance to facilitate high quality design and development.

•  Protection: putting biodiversity and the health of trees at the heart of all our work.

•  Procedures: ensuring we have appropriate operational plans and processes that are regularly monitored and reviewed.

•  Projects: developing and creating long term projects for the   management and enhancement of the urban forest in Coventry.

•  Prosperity: making the link with the urban forest and natural capital for

  sustainable economic regeneration.

•  Promotion: having a presence and getting the message across to all our stakeholders and customers.

•  Partnerships: building on existing and facilitating new working   relationships for the benefit of the urban forest in Coventry.

•  Profile: having a presence and influencing colleagues, stakeholders and professional networks in decision making.

•  Pioneering: using technology and new ways of working to create   innovation and efficient working.

The Strategy was now a final draft and ready for the foreword to be included, prior to consultation. Consultation would include internal City Council departments, all Ward Councillors, Coventry Tree Warden Network, Coventry University, Warwick University and any other stakeholders that became apparent.

The Board questioned officers, received responses, and discussed the following issues:

·  Tree management - relationships with developers for the protection of existing trees and the planting of new trees, whilst progressing the need for housing.

·  The inclusion of the architectural benefits of urban forestry and green space, especially in the City Centre, in the Strategy.

·  Current tree planting in the City Centre – example, planting in the Upper Precinct as part of the recent improvement works.

·  Linking with individuals, communities and businesses for their input and grow the forestry in the City.

·  The inclusion of the City’s high-level aspirational thinking and vision for tree planting, in the Urban Forestry Strategy, to bring it into line with the Green Space Strategy.

·  The development of the Council’s aspiration for the planting of a tree for every member of the population in the City – involvement of schools and businesses and organisations.

·  The importance of involving Ward Councillors to gain their local knowledge of their Wards, for planting proposals.

·  The success of the Coventry Peace Orchard at Coundon Court School and Cardinal Newman School – link with officer involved in project

·  Pursuing sponsorship and support for the Urban Forestry Action Plan and Tree Planting aspiration – Woodlands Trust and Severn Trent Water expressions of interest.

·  Recognition of the value the urban forest in mitigating pollution, heat, flooding and wind and the importance of obtaining data on air pollution reductions and improvements to the environment – Warwick University expression of interest to undertake a study.

·  Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council - dedicated Urban Forestry Strategy, separating form Coventry’s Strategy.

·  The Ring Road - opportunity to include some green space.

·  Point of inspiration - Mexico City’s Via Verde scheme, which has transformed thousands of highway pillars into vertical gardens.

The Board agreed that Ward Councillor be invited to submit their views and local knowledge on forestry planting in their areas.

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

a)  Notes progress in the development of the Urban Forestry Strategy detailed within the Briefing Note.

b)  Supports the proposal to undertake further consultation.

c)  Recommends that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities considers the inclusion of the following in the Urban Forestry Strategy:

i)  the architectural benefits of urban forestry and green space, especially in the City Centre.

ii)  the Cities aspirations and vision for tree planting, to bring it into line with the Green Space Strategy.

d)  Agrees that an update and Action Plan arising from the Urban Forestry Strategy be submitted to a future meeting of the Board.