Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 November 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services was submitted, presenting recommendations for the safe, effective and sustainable management of trees within the Council’s care.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 November 2009 and their support and comments were noted. Executive endorsed the proposal of Scrutiny Committee – Community to change the title of the post of Parks Tree Administration Support Officer (CE11109).

Executive resolved that:-

(1)     the revised funding proposals contained in the report be approved;

(2)     the deletion of the posts of Arboricultural Officer (CE11109) and Assistant Arboricultural Officer (CE11148) be approved;

(3)     the appointment to the post of Parks Tree Administration Support Officer (CE11109) be approved at a grade to be determined by Job Evaluation and subject to the renaming of the post;

(4)     the development of the existing contractual arrangement to a partnership approach as detailed in section 4 of the report be approved; and

(5)     the move to planned from reactive maintenance be approved.

The report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services was submitted, presenting recommendations for the safe, effective and sustainable management of trees within the Council’s care.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 10 November 2009 and their support and comments were noted. Executive endorsed the proposal of Scrutiny Committee – Community to change the title of the post of Parks Tree Administration Support Officer (CE11109).

RESOLVED that:-

(1)     the revised funding proposals contained in the report be approved;

(2)     the deletion of the posts of Arboricultural Officer (CE11109) and Assistant Arboricultural Officer (CE11148) be approved;

(3)     the appointment to the post of Parks Tree Administration Support Officer (CE11109) be approved at a grade to be determined by Job Evaluation and subject to the renaming of the post;

(4)     the development of the existing contractual arrangement to a partnership approach as detailed in section 4 of the report be approved; and

(5)     the move to planned from reactive maintenance be approved.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services – report circulated

The Head of Contracts and Direct Services presented the report setting out recommendations for the safe, effective and sustainable management of trees within the Council’s care.

In response to a Member, he agreed to change the title proposed in respect of Job No. CE11109 and explained that the precise cost of the changes were subject to the results of job evaluation.

A Member queried the need for committing the resources proposed to the management of trees and it was explained that many trees across the City, such as poplars, were coming to the end of their life span. It was important to minimise risks to the public by removing dangerous trees and it was also important when replanting to ensure that the correct species were used. He advised that the contractors used acted solely on the instruction of the Council officers as client and he explained the rationale behind the risk matrix. TPOs were an important part of the tree management process, the responsibility for these covered within the remit of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to approve the proposals for tree management in Exeter including:

·         revised funding proposals;

·         the deletion of the posts of Arboricultural Officer (CE11109) and Assistant Aboricultural Officer (CE11148);

·         the appointment to the post of Parks Tree Administration Support Officer (CE11109) at a grade to be determined by Job Evaluation and subject to the renaming of the post;

·         developing the existing contractual arrangement to a partnership approach as detailed in section four of the report; and

·         supporting the move from reactive to planned maintenance.

 (Report circulated)