Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to report.

Decision

Executive Decision Notice - Management of Council Owned Trees - Dorset Council

Reason for the decision

At its Annual Meeting, Council decided to continue to meet virtually for all non-executive committees. The Leader of the Council also decided that Cabinet should continue to meet virtually until social distancing requirements had been removed. Therefore, the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services has made this decision taking into account the views expressed by the wider cabinet membership.

Dorset Council owns and is responsible for approx. 250,000 trees which will be managed against this Policy. The Policy builds upon and combines existing tree policies from the predecessor district and county authorities, and has been written with input and advice from the Health and Safety Executive  reflecting the legal obligations of Dorset Council to manage its Tree stock e.g. Occupiers Liability Act 1984 and Highways Act 1980. 

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment set out the report and its recommendation to approve the policy for the Management of Council owned Tree’s. Cabinet were advised that the policy built upon and combined existing tree policies from the predecessor district and county authorities, and had been written with input and advice from the Health and Safety Executive reflecting the legal obligations of Dorset Council to manage its Tree stock.

In response to questions about consultation and replacement trees being planted on County Farms. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that town and parish councils were continually consulted. He also confirmed that he was working closely with County Farms in respect of tree replacement. However, it was important to plant the right tree in the right place.

Cabinet indicated their “minded to” view to support and the Portfolio Holder set out his executive decision to approve the policy.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel, and Environment

That the content of the Management of Council Owned Tree’s Policy be approved.

Executive Decision Notice - Management of Council Owned Trees - Dorset Council

Reason for the decision

At its Annual Meeting, Council decided to continue to meet virtually for all non-executive committees. The Leader of the Council also decided that Cabinet should continue to meet virtually until social distancing requirements had been removed. Therefore, the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services has made this decision taking into account the views expressed by the wider cabinet membership.

Dorset Council owns and is responsible for approx. 250,000 trees which will be managed against this Policy. The Policy builds upon and combines existing tree policies from the predecessor district and county authorities, and has been written with input and advice from the Health and Safety Executive  reflecting the legal obligations of Dorset Council to manage its Tree stock e.g. Occupiers Liability Act 1984 and Highways Act 1980.