Purpose

Proposal to endorse and adopt a strategy that
sets out the Council's approach for tree planting across Crawley.
The proposed strategy will outline the principles and standards for
tree planting, young tree maintenance and woodland sustainability
for all Crawley Borough Council trees across the Borough.

Content

RESOLVED

That the
Cabinet:

a)        
approves the Crawley Borough Council Tree Planting
Strategy as set out in Appendix A of report
HCS/069.
 

b)        
delegates authority to the Head of Community
Services, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, to
review and make minor amendments to the Crawley Borough Council
Tree Planting Strategy as further changes to legislation and
statutory guidance are introduced or following any
review.
(Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact
this recommendation).

Reasons for the
Recommendations
 
The proposed Crawley Borough
Council Tree Planting Strategy (Appendix A) has been created to
guide and inform the Council’s decisions to deliver a
coherent approach for its tree planting, clearly outlining the
standards for all tree planting, young tree maintenance and
woodland sustainability.  It identifies
a clear approach for selecting tree species, location and a process for providing tree planting
on council land across the town.
 
Crawley Borough Council
declared a
climate emergency in 2019 and the associated action plan identified the need for a
sustainable tree planting strategy to help tackle the effects of
climate change.  This strategy fulfils
the response to this requirement whilst also delivering other
tangible benefits that will assist officers in taking an agreed and
consistent strategic approach for future planting of council trees
across the Borough.