Issue - meetings

To consider a report in response to a Notice of Motion proposed at Council in October 2022 in relation to the planting of trees on the highway.

The Committee considered the report in response to a Notice of Motion put to Full Council in October 2022 in relation to the planting of trees on the highway. The motion, which had been proposed by Cllr Tony Dean and seconded by Cllr Quentin Abel, proposed that Cheshire East Highways worked with Town and Parish Councils to address issues raised   around existing tree planting policies.

Councillor Tony Dean, who addressed the Committee as the proposer of the Notice of Motion, encouraged Committee Members to ensure that Cheshire East Highways adopted a flexible approach when considering tree planting requests and applying the framework criteria set out in the report. It was felt that the requirement to obtain a street works permit and/or licence to plant, could be costly and potentially discourage Town and Parish Councils from planting trees.

It was confirmed that a more robust tree planting policy would be developed and brought forward for consideration at a Highways and Transport Committee meeting within the next 12-18 months. Committee Members requested that the revised draft policy focus upon encouraging and promoting suitable tree planting across the borough. 

RESOLVED (unanimous):

That the Highways and Transport Committee approves the proposed response to the Notice of Motion, noting:

a)    The clarification detailed in section 6.20 of the Highway Tree Safety Inspection Policy and Code of Practice Committee Report relating to tree planting.

b)    The proposed development of a Highway Tree Planting Policy in the next 12 -18 months.