Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the adoption of Tree and Woodland strategy 2023-2033.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the new Tree and Woodland Management Strategy, which provided best practice in regard to the maintenance and welfare of the Council’s tree and woodland estate. Adoption of the Strategy would formalise the standard operating procedures and set the vision for the development of Exeter’s tree estate.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         the draft strategy was subject to a public consultation, in which 330 responses were received, with strong support for the recommendations in the report;

·         two objections focussed on the objectives of maintaining a comprehensive tree inventory and increasing the city canopy cover to 30%;

·         there was a typo in the strategy, relating to the canopy cover, in which the actual baseline canopy was 20.2% citywide;

·         the Council was already delivering tree services and operations aligned with the strategy, and was now seeking to standardise the operating procedures for the development of Exeter's tree estate; and

·         no additional funding or resources were being sought at this stage.

Councillor Ketchin, having given notice under Standing Order No. 44, spoke on this item and made the following points:-

·         Devon County Council needed to be engaged as a major stakeholder for areas with low tree canopy cover and for issues such as roadside improvement, air quality, and high visibility elements related to public enjoyment;

·         there needed to be something in the document for stakeholders to encourage Devon County Council to be a part the vision;

·         when trees were felled or badly damaged, the Tree Protection Order (TPO) could follow other local Councils in using a 3:1 ratio replacement strategy;

·         the Council’s 10% biodiversity rule may not be enough for areas with an absence of tree cover and the strategy would support planning matters for areas with an absence of tree cover;

·         funding options for planting in new areas could be a source of capital and there were options for citizen funded routes for local communities. It cost around £800 to plant a tree and would encourage community engagement.

The Leader advised that questions had been received from Councillor Moore, which the Executive had considered wouldn’t change the recommendations. The Leader advised that he would circulate the responses and would also be appended to the minutes.

Opposition group leaders spoke on the item and made the following points:-

·    Cllr Moore – had submitted questions, which the questions and responses are appended to the minutes. She also enquired on whether the strategy had enough funding to be progressed.

·    Cllr Jobson – welcomed the report and thanked the officers involved.

During the discussion Members commended the report and made the following points:-

·    thanks were made to the officers for the work undertaken in writing the report and to the Portfolio Holder for Place & City Management;

·    the consultation was welcomed and reflected the importance of trees to residents, and their environmental, well-being and economic benefits;

·    the strategy addressed how the Council tackled the ecological crisis in the city;

·    Exeter had a higher canopy cover than most other authorities, with some wards having nearly double the national average of 3%;

·    engagement with Devon County Council would be welcomed particularly for ensuring CCTV cameras were not obscured by tree cover and preventing fallen leaves blocking drains;

·    was the 3:1 replacement scheme or tree sponsorship viable?

·    were any reasons or alternative options given, from those who responded against increasing the tree canopy cover? and

·    Exeter had a community lottery, which community groups could subscribe to for fundraising to purchase trees for their local community.

The Portfolio Holder for Place & City Management commended the report and highlighted that the city’s trees were a fantastic resource for improved air quality and absorbing harmful gases. Trees were beneficial to mental health and increased property values. She further highlighted the excellent work of the team in collating the consultation responses and endorsed the strategy.

The Service Manager Public and Green Spaces in responding to points made by Members, advised that:-

·         Devon County Council were developing a Devon wide tree strategy, in which Exeter City Council was a partner and contributing to;

·         the Council operated 2:1 planting ratio based on success levels of bringing specimens to maturity;

·         Exeter City Council was a statutory consultee for planning developments and contributed towards the wider planning policy development; and

·         there were five consultees who disagreed with the principle of canopy increase, but didn’t elaborate on their reasoning.

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the adoption of Tree and Woodland strategy 2023-2033.