Agenda item

Councillor Jonny Cope presented a petition asking the Council to review a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for Wellington Park. The petition asked the Council to:

“Urgently review the existing TPO 11/86 and consider the benefits of replacing it with an Area TPO that allows for the proper maintenance of foliage and other plants growing beneath the canopies of trees covered by the existing TPO. Within six months to carry out a survey of trees on the entire estate, identifying those which would benefit from a Specific TPO rather than a blanket one to ensure that those trees providing substantial amenity to the estate are protected by TPOs.”

Councillor Cope highlighted that he had held a public meeting in summer 2023, that had been attended by around 80 people, Glendale and the Council’s Greenspace team.

Members summarised their own meetings and discussions with residents regarding tree concerns and TPOs across the borough. The importance of preserving trees in special character areas and biodiversity net gain was also recognised. Members also queried if a more up-to-date list of TPOs was required and the training and knowledge council officers received and relayed to residents on TPOs.

It was moved by Councillor Richard Wilson and seconded by Councillor Alan Ashbery that

“this Council:

(i)            recognises the residents’ concerns raised through the petition, in management of trees in their area and under these restrictions;

(ii)          values the diversity and vibrancy of our arboreal environment within Surrey Heath that helps make it a unique place to live;

(iii)         supports the principle of appropriate regulation to preserve that uniqueness for future generations;

(iv)         notes the complexity and potential cost exposure for the Council of the topic, as detailed in the Chief Executive’s supplementary report;

(v)          recommends support in principle for the actions the Chief Executive recommends;

(vi)         delegates to the Head of Planning, in alignment with Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport & Planning, to bring forward an updated Task & Finish Group terms of reference for approval at March’s Executive;

(vii)        ensures through alignment with Group Leaders and their councillor’s interest in this topic, the group’s membership be broadly based and ideally led by someone outside the Executive;

(viii)       requests that the Task and Finish Group report back to the Executive, with recommendations, in June 2024; and

(ix)         suggests that the resident’s area that raised this petition be the pilot area for implementation of any recommendations before wider borough cascade.”

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Jonathan Quin and seconded by Councillor Victoria Wheeler that proposed to include the following additional wording:

“(x) To review the guidance relied on by the Council’s professional officers and processes for the guidance that constitutes advice given in relation to and including special character areas.”

As the mover of the original motion, Councillor Richard Wilson, accepted the amendment it was agreed without a vote.

RESOLVED that

(i)     the residents’ concerns raised through the petition, in management of trees in their area and under these restrictions be recognised;

(ii)   the diversity and vibrancy of our arboreal environment within Surrey Heath that helps make it a unique place to live be supported;

(iii)  the principle of appropriate regulation to preserve that uniqueness for future generations be supported;

(iv)  the complexity and potential cost exposure for the Council of the topic, as detailed in the Chief Executive’s supplementary report be noted;

(v)   support be agreed in principle for the actions recommended by the Chief Executive;

(vi)  authority be delegated to the Head of Planning, in alignment with Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport & Planning, to bring forward an updated Task & Finish Group terms of reference for approval at March’s Executive;

(vii)    through alignment with Group Leaders and their councillor’s interest in this topic, the group’s membership be broadly based and ideally led by someone outside the Executive;

(viii)  the Task and Finish Group be asked report back to the Executive, with recommendations, in June 2024;

(ix)  the resident’s area that raised this petition be the pilot area for implementation of any recommendations before wider borough cascade; and

(x)   the guidance relied on by the Council’s professional officers and processes for the guidance that constitutes advice given in relation to and including special character areas be reviewed.