Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director – Environmental Services and Community Safety.

The Head of Environmental Services introduced a report (previously circulated) regarding the Council’s Tree and Woodland Strategy 2021-2031. It was maintained that local and central government have recognised the pivotal role trees play in achieving net zero due to their proficiency in carbon capture and carbon offset.

Therefore, it was said that the aim of the strategy is to proactively manage and enlarge the tree population of the borough of Darlington in order to protect our historical heritage of trees and provide a valued environmental amenity for future generations. With regards to how this is managed, the strategy covers how the Council manages trees that they own, protects trees on private land, and assesses needs over the next 5 years.

The Head of Environmental Services reiterated the pivotal role Trees play in achieving net zero, and therefore broke down the numbers with regards to trees planted, stating that 47,742 trees had been planted since 2021 – demonstrating an average of just under 10,000 trees being planted per annum since the adoption of the strategy, which is above the targeted number in the action plan. The Head of Environmental Services described how this looks in actuality in terms of tree canopy cover, in addition to the other Bodies that the Council has collaborated with to achieve its tree planting goals.

Furthermore, The Head of Environmental Services discussed their service areas approach to risk management, referring to the Council’s reviewing and updating of its approach to risk management for Council owned trees following consultation with Zurich.

The new approach now requires that Inspection of all trees on Council land will be undertaken by a competent arboriculturist, at defined intervals according to consistent methodology, a systematic and replicable risk assessment. Trees that do not meet the defined standard of safety will be identified, and remedial measures will be specified to mitigate unacceptable risks within the defined timeframe. These will be implemented as specified, which will be verified by a competent person. A record of all activity will be kept. The Council will maintain an inventory of trees on the Treewise system, which contains records of tree condition, location, works recommendations and works completion. The inventory will be reviewed to ensure that it remains comprehensive and reliable. The timescale for the completion of each works item following an inspection will be set in proportion to the level of risk presented by the tree. The successful completion of risk management works will be confirmed by a competent person and recorded along with the date. Where a tree remains following works, an inspection will be made to update the record for that tree.

With regards to the inspection of such trees and how often inspections take place, The Head of Environmental Services maintained that all trees in high risk areas are to be inspected every 24 months as a minimum, with others to be inspected at a minimum of 24 to 36 months. The Head of Environmental Services assured Members that  inspections will only be carried out by individuals who are qualified and competent enough to do so.

The Head of Environmental Services finalised their report by providing an update on Key Performance Indicators, namely: the Percentage of inspections undertaken in Zone 1 (High Risk) over a two-year period, the Number of Trees Planted, the Number of Trees Felled Compared to Number of Replacement Trees Planted, the Measure, review and report on Darlington’s Tree Canopy (five yearly measurement), the Number of enquiries received, and percentage responded to within target time, the Number of repeat visits to same tree arising from the same customer enquiry or complaint, and the Number of trees removed infected with more than 50% Ash Dieback. The Head of Environmental Services did however inform members that the data for repeat visits was unavailable, and tat KPI’s need to be reconsidered going forward.

Members thanked The Head of Environmental Services for their report, and commented that it was positive to see scrutiny recommendations being incorporated into the action plan. A request was made that the officer provide relevant data to reassure Members of the public with regards to community safety, which was agreed to by the officer.

A further question was posed in the context of the previously mentioned consultation with Zurich. The officer assured Members that this was successful as demonstrated by the response/action rate. The officer added that this approach will be reviewed every 2 years, and that inspection data will be available at the end of inspection periods.

Members also asked questions regarding the low level of detail provided on tree applications in the context of planning, to which the officer responded in saying that they would liaise with the Planning department, but reminded Members that the authority is ultimately with Planning.

Discussion took place between Members and Officers regarding “Land grabbing”. Officers explicated the concept of “No mans land” in this context, and outlined the evaluations of land taking place to assure that the Council can process any necessary actions.

Members then collectively asked that a condensed version of the strategy be formulated, so that this can be given to residents to inform them of what the Council can/can’t do with regards to trees in residential areas.

Recommended – That Members note the content of the report and the proposed action plan for 2025/2026.

RESOLVED – Members noted the contents of the report and the proposed action plan for 2025/2026.