Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

3(b) Arboriculture Management Plan

Officers advised that the report is part of a service review that officers have undertaken, and they have identified a need to formalise a tree inspection plan. Officers have amalgamated that new document with the existing Arboriculture management plan which went through in 2021.

Members asked how secure is the budget for this plan in terms of funding?

Officers advised that as part of the establishment change there are now 6 operational staff, one tree inspector and 1 arboriculture management officer. Officers explained that when it comes to Arboriculture management, the issue is the initial inspection that's required to get the authority into a position where it is in line with the tree inspection policy.

There are some capital monies available that officers can utilise for that. Once they get to that position, the inspection programme will be a three and a five-year cyclical programme which officers will be able to run with the resources they currently have.

The issue around the resources is when it comes to any works that can identify through those inspections that are required, they will need some capital investment, this means that as long as nothing further is cut then then it's OK.

Officers also advised that the initial money is secure and officers will be bringing a further report back to members. If there is a question of public safety, officers would have to reprioritise some capital for that.

The chair noted that once that initial survey is done officers will have a better understanding of the state of all the green infrastructure. Members felt this was positive as it is an investment in understanding of all those risks and how to manage them.

The director advised that most years officers bring forward reports to corporate directors’ group with in-year pressures that the individual directorates are experiencing and explained that for multiple years, officers brought forward a pressure relating to Ash die back and they were allocated additional money to deal with that issue. Officers explained that if something occurred which hadn't been factored in, they could identify it as an in-year pressure. That doesn't necessarily mean it will get supported, but it is an avenue available to them.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.