Background LCC introduced a tree management software system to - PDF document

25/09/17 Background • LCC introduced a tree management software system to record all trees and history of inspections and maintenance (1995) Tree Strategy • Allow the resources available to be strategically prioritised, rather than reaction to complaints. Stewart Doughty • Reduction in complaints and claims. Head Parks & Open Spaces • 54% success rate of defending claims 19 September 2017 • Agreed in 2016 to develop a Tress Strategy Overview of Strategy Strategic aims • First Tree Strategy for Leicester 1. To ensure the current level of tree canopy cover under the Council’s control is sustained and the • Previous Tree Policy (app 1) operational doc quality is improved. • Strategic approach for management of the 2. To ensure trees under the Council’s control are Councils tree stock managed with the intention of resolving conflicts and problems in a rational., consistent – 150,000 trees and economic way. – 107 hectares of woodland 3. To encourage private land owners to manage – 15.69% authority tree canopy cover (1,200 ha) their tree’s, in part through the Council’s – 24 Conservation areas & over 500 TPO’s appropriate use of tree protection legislation. Tree management assets Industry accreditation • Budget £1.3m (turnover £1.7m) • Arboricultural Association • Operational staff 28 FTE • National standard • Technical 7 FTE • Approved ‘contractor’ – Skills base training • Only 2 public sector bodies AA • Depot approved – Specialist equipment & vehicles • Private clients – Waste storage 400 tonnes 1

25/09/17 Waste management Sustaining tree canopy • 100% materials recycled • Replacement policy • 2,000 tonnes a year • 100 trees felled in • 50% bio mass fuel 2016/17 • 250 trees planted by • 40% fire wood T&W in 2016/17 • 10% milled • Additional new capital • Small volume carved schemes, developments • £20k income, saving • Potential Capital budget £170k landfill charge • LEW budget Management Improving quality • Programme of dead Trees Surveyed by wooding Location • Crown reduction Records Stored • Crown lifting Site Maintenance Cycle Established and Maintained 3-7 year cycles • Crown thinning for next Cycle • Pollarding • Feathering & suckering Works Issued • Biodiversity City Wide Annual Programmes Set and Completed Supporting Aims Actions supporting strategic Aims • To maintain tree numbers/canopy cover • 33 actions in proposed strategy to support Aims • Promoting amenity Plant • 18 actions to support • Promoting habitat & wildlife Council tree stock • Enhancing microclimate & land use • 5 actions support private • Responding to global obligations Recycle Maintain tree stock • Fulfil formal obligations • 10 supporting actions • Manage resources appropriately • Monitoring • Manage pressure of trees in the private sector Fell 2

25/09/17 In support of actions Review & Monitoring Aims • Planting success rate • Ensure the viability of service provision • Surveying & work programme cycles • Quality control • Ensure staff have the required capabilities • Resources management • Staff training & development • Complaints & compliments • Ensure practical means/systems in place • AA assessments • Recycling rates • Management of TPO’s & Conservation Areas Adoption of Strategy Questions ? • Comment & feedback from HCL&S Scrutiny • Agree a final draft • Format for on-line publication • User friendly school version to be developed • Funding being discussed as part of STAR chamber & Capital process 3