Agenda item

Mr Andy Tipping, Trees and Woodlands Manager, and Ms Cassie Bridger, Assistant Director, Greenspaces and Leisure, presented the report.

Ms Bridger reported that the Tree Policy had been refreshed taking into account emerging strategies and other corporate frameworks and ambitions around sustainability and climate change. Barnet’s ambition is to plant 5000 trees over five years from 1^st April 2023 to 2028.

Cllr Farrier asked whether 5000 should be a minimum target, and more could be planted. Mr Tipping responded that the government is keen to fund more tree planting and it depends on what is available, as well as constraints around planting in streets, but more could be planted potentially.

Cllr Farrier enquired on behalf of Cllr Innocenti, whether more hedges could be maintained and planted. Ms Bridger responded that this would be picked up within wider pieces of work such as sustainability and biodiversity.

Cllr Farrier asked on behalf of Cllr Innocenti how trees could be better maintained for example along the A41 and other major highways given that TfL plant them but don’t always maintain them. Mr Tipping noted that it requires a full time workforce to water 2000 trees a week and although Barnet achieved tree planting via TfL last year there is not contract for them to be maintained, due to how TfL manages its contracts.

Cllr Cohen asked whether the issue of footway damage due to trees had been addressed. Mr Tipping reported that a Tree Root Policy had been consulted on and would be formalised in the near future. This also included working with the Network Recovery Programme and with new root deflector materials which could be used on new trees, but not existing ones.

Cllr Cohen asked what engagement there would be with residents, businesses and ward members on where trees would be planted. Mr Tipping responded that  replacement trees will be planted in the same place. A ‘tree equity’ model had been created as part of the policy document, which concentrated on Cricklewood, Burnt Oak, Hendon, Colindale South and Friern Barnet for tree planting, but the team would continue to work with the community on this.

Cllr Cohen requested that ward members are provided with a list of locations where tree planting is planned to take place, so that any issues can be raised in advance. Ms Wakeling offered to discuss this with the team and respond following the meeting. 

Action: Executive Director, Adults & Health

Cllr Conway enquired how successful the council has been in being awarded government grants. Ms Bridger responded that Section 1.12 of the report provides information on how far the team has been able to obtain external grant monies during the existing period of the planting programme, to a total of just over £400,000 over the past five years.

Cllr Cohen moved a motion to amend the recommendations – that ward Members receive an annual list of new tree locations prior to installation. The motion was seconded by Cllr Longstaff.

The Chair moved to a vote on the motion:

For - 3

Against - 7

Abstain - 1

The motion was lost.

The Chair moved to a vote on the officer’s recommendations:

The recommendations were unanimously APPROVED.