Decision details

(1)  The Arboriculture Strategy and Policies outlined therein and in Report ES16015 be adopted.

(2)  Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for the Environment, to draw-down the £250k earmarked reserve as required for enhancing the environment through maintenance of trees and the replacement of those that have been lost.

(3)  A meeting with Government sources to lobby for a change to legislation so that the onus lay with the resident/developer to prove that a tree has not been taken down wilfully be supported and that rare trees are automatically protected by a TPO with representations made to Government for increased powers enabling the Council to provide greater protection for trees in the borough. 

The L B Bromley Tree Strategy for the next four years sets out responsibilities for tree owners (public and private), benefits of trees to the borough, and best arboriculture practice. Prepared in response to National, Regional and Local policy frameworks, the Strategy also considers the benefits of maintaining trees, reviews the existing Policy framework and examines the Borough context including ownership of Bromley’s trees.

The Strategy will be monitored by completing actions and achieving performance measures, the Council’s Trees and Woodland Team reporting annually on key performance indicators and any notable issues.

Of the £750k approved by Council on 22nd February 2016 for Member initiatives, £250k is delegated to the Executive Director, Environment and Community Services for additional tree maintenance, new tree planting, and enhancing woodland.

It is intended to seek a meeting with Government sources to lobby for a change in legislation so that the onus is on a resident/developer to prove that a tree has not been wilfully removed and representations are intended to be made to Government for increased powers to enable the Council to protect trees in the borough.