Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Environment and Finance & Governance and the Director of Environment and Community Services submitted a report for the Executive’s consideration. The purpose of the report was to seek approval for Middlesbrough Council’s Tree Policy (amended February 2021).

The previous Tree Policy had been adopted by the Council in 2016. The tree policy covered the management of trees within Middlesbrough and provided advice to residents on dealing with all arboricultural issues.

The existing Tree policy had been in use for 5 years and it was important that a review was conducted to ensure it remained effective/compliant with industry best practice.

The policy review looked at changes in legislation to ensure they were all current and still relevant to the policy. It also looked at any ambiguities from the previous policy and clarified the Council’s position. The policy now also took into consideration any advancements in technology not included in the previous version, i.e. solar panels and modern telecommunications. There was also a new section on planning taking into consideration any new housing developments. All amendments were detailed in paragraph 5 within the submitted report.

OPTIONS

Doing nothing was not an option, not having a Tree Policy in place would have placed Middlesbrough at serious risk and target setting opportunities could have been missed.

ORDERED

That the Tree Policy (amended February 2021) be adopted.

REASON

The Tree Policy had been reviewed and subsequently amended to ensure it remained in line with legislation, best practice and offered clear concise guidance to all users.