Issue - meetings

To consider the interim head of policy and programmes’ report. 

Cabinet considered the interim head of policy and programmes’ report on a policy for planting trees on council land.  The joint policy outlined how South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils would protect, plant and manage trees on the land they owned, and how the community would be supported with their tree planting initiatives. 

The councils had previously sought to increase tree cover and to protect trees on their land and help to achieve their respective carbon neutral targets.  The policy set out principles to protect, plant and manage trees on council owned land; these were: planting, caring and maintenance, supporting biodiversity, planning and development, and community.  The policy also set out how community groups could apply to plant trees on council land. 

The Climate and Ecological Emergencies Advisory Committee had welcomed the new policy. 

Cabinet supported the policy and hoped that the council could provide advice to community groups on the most suitable species to plant and on after care.  Cabinet asked that a press release was issued to publicise this policy and that all councillors were informed. 

RESOLVED: to approve the policy for planting trees on council land.