Issue - decisions

(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.