Decision Maker: Public Health and Communities Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: May 9, 2025

Purpose: To seek approval to, 1. Instigate a programme of work that seeks to maintain the city’s tree canopy in response to the impact of Ash Dieback on the city’s ash tree population. 2. To seek approval for £1M new capital funding to the programme and approve capital feasibility funding to kick-start work from January 25.

Content: The Committee RESOLVED (6 members voting in favour, none voting against and with 3 members abstaining):   1. To approve the Highway Landscapes Tree Planting Programme and the required £1,903,000 capital and £933,000 revenue funding allocation as set out in the report.   2. To approve a new framework contract to the value of £2.7m that provides an alternative route for tree works to be procured should the council’s existing contract not have capacity.   3. To authorise the Executive Director: Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee and the S151 Officer to procure and award contracts to deliver highway improvements and tree management works as required, in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in the report.   4. To authorise the Executive Director: Growth and Regeneration to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in the report.   5. To note the implementation of the Ash Dieback protocol as set out in Appendix A.