The Executive Director (Development) has submitted a report to seek approval for an updated Tree Management Policy.  This sets out the Council’s policy regarding management of its tree stock and aligns its approach in this area to current standards and good practice.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.      Adopt the Tree Management Policy 2024-2032 (at Appendix 1); and

2.      Delegate authorityto the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies to make any minor, non-substantive changes to the policy.

The Executive Director (Development) had submitted a report to seek approval for an updated Tree Management Policy.  This set out the Council’s policy regarding management of its tree stock and sought to align its approach in this area to current standards and good practice.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies, explained that the policy would cover the eight-year period 2024-32, replacing the previous eight-year policy which had been approved in 2016.  It covered the management and ownership of trees which were in the control of Oxford City Council: alternative arrangements were in place for County Council owned trees.

Councillor Chapman highlighted that trees had an important role in enhancing the quality of life for residents of the city, and the policy set out how the trees which the Council owned and managed could be nurtured and looked after.  A major change from the previous policy related to how risks around weakened and diseased trees were managed and the process for regular survey and mitigation of risk to the public.  Trees which were deemed to be ‘high risk’ would now be surveyed on a more frequent basis than previously (every 18 months as opposed to every three years) which would bring the Council’s approach into line with best practice.

The updated policy also placed an emphasis on consultation with councillors and interested parties; for example, in cases where trees were to be removed (other than in emergency situations) and the planting of new trees.  Wording had also been included to clarify that the Council could, in exceptional circumstances, exercise its statutory powers to undertake remedial work to trees which threatened the highway.

The Executive Director (Development) highlighted a proposed change to policy PL7 to clarify that the Council’s discretionary powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 also allowed it to intervene in cases where a tree on private land (that is, any land not in the ownership or control of the City Council) was creating an imminent danger for members of the public.  Such cases would be considered on an individual basis.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.      Adopt the Tree Management Policy 2024-2032 (at Appendix 1); and

2.      Delegate authorityto the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies to make any minor, non-substantive changes to the policy.