Agenda item

To receive the report of the Parks Operation Manager, which provides the Inner South Community Committee with a service update for the Forestry service.

The report of the Parks Operation Manager provided the Inner South Community Committee with a service update from the Forestry service.

The Parks Operation Manager introduced the report, and the following points were highlighted:

• The regular storm season was from August to September; however, the number and severity of storms had increased over recent years, creating a more dynamic situation.
• 73mph winds had been recorded during the recent Storm Lilian which had caused damage to a significant number of trees across Leeds. Over 1000 calls and 570 emails had been received by the Forestry Department in the week following Storm Lilian with over 400 jobs logged onto the work list.
• A wide survey across all parks was required, including surveying trees nearby other damaged trees and an additional 1 month’s extra work had resulted from the storm.
• The amount of woodchippers across the Leeds district had increased, with an additional one in the Inner South recently in place. Chipping was done on site, where appropriate, and was used to efficiently clear fallen branches and trees which blocked roads and paths.
• The Forestry team had conducted site safety visits to manage the recent storm damage and implemented clearance and security measures. Some of the safety and clearance work was done by in house Council specialist but private contractors were also used to cover all work.
• The survey of storm damage mainly covered branch failures and fallen trees within Council owned land, with recent work conducted in Cross Flatts Park. The service used a categorised risk based approach, with imminent health and safety work prioritised. General maintenance work was to be followed up once work to secure the greatest risks were completed.
• The damaged trees posing the most serious risk to public safety were secured by internal staff and then contractors conducted lower risk work.
• The service was involved with the Highways and Housing departments as work often interlinked.
• Major delays in general clean up work were not expected once the higher risk jobs had been completed, but there was a potential delay in responses to new submissions of tree works that were reported.

In response to questions from Members, the following points were discussed:

• Given the additional work caused by the recent storm, the implications on workload in light of a further severe storm were queried. In response it was noted that the service had been as proactive as possible and a risk based approach would again be implemented to secure the highest risk damaged trees and also further contracted work could be sought.
• The perception of risk posed by a damaged tree was variable and the service’s processes always favoured safety. Trees were subjective in regard to danger against amenity and reports of blocking light, signal or leaf fall were not usually considered for tree works.
• Large trees near Council houses were monitored, but height itself was not considered a relevant danger issue. Basic level 1 tree safety training was available to Officers within Housing and Highways allowing them to conduct basic tree surveys which could then be reported and escalated with Forestry. The process was based around seeking to identify risk and then management processes. Arborologists were needed to determine the level of risk.
• Any liability for a tree on Council land that caused injury or damaged private property was to be covered by the Council’s insurance team. If a tree from a neighbouring property was causing damage to a privately owned property, the owner can cut branches back to the boundary line, but dialogue was usually needed between neighbours to limit dispute.
• If a tree was reported as nuisance on Council land and then surveyed to be healthy, no works would likely occur. In order to better identify vulnerable trees conversations with the Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Spaces were ongoing to determine whether training for Elected Members could be provided. It was noted this may assist with post storm processes across local areas.
• As the service had previously reported to be under resourced, it was confirmed that there was now only one vacancy within the team and that recruitment for Forestry was not frozen as it held statutory health and safety duties. Previous vacancies were noted due to some posts requiring specific skills and training; an apprenticeship programme was in place to provide specific in-house training and also contracted workers were utilised to fill gaps for essential works.
• Dangerous trees at Middleton Park GP Surgery had been reported to the service following the storm, which were agreed to be followed up. An inspection along the ring road had taken place in the previous week.
• The support for community, volunteer led clear up operations were queried. In response the willingness was appreciated but a sensible approach to assessing capabilities was needed to manage public safety, so specialist tree work was not encouraged. Council Parks gardening staff were taking chainsaw training to supplement specialised works for initial clean ups.
• Biodiversity benefits for leaving fallen branches and trees were noted, as well as some instances of sculptures and fences being built out of fallen tree limbs.
• During the clear up after the storm, the trunk of a fallen tree, that was damaging a fence on Harehills Road, had been left after the branches were removed. This was to be cleared once essential priority safety work was completed.
• Methods that supported tree management on private land were queried in order to encourage reasonable steps for clear up and maintenance work. In response, a link on the Forestry Department’s website outlined common law rights and contained a directory for reputable contractors and the service were able to manage contracts. Members noted that this was useful but should be better communicated, which was agreed to be reviewed so this information was clearer.
• A summary of common law related to tree maintenance was provided, noting, if a tree was within the boundary of a private property works can be conducted without permission, subject to the tree not being covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) or relevant conservation area policy. A tree of a significant height sometimes required additional permits or potentially an ecological survey. An online mapping system tool, mainly focused on TPOs, conservation areas and bat alert areas, was available, with the link to be provided to Members.
• As overgrown trees were blocking CCTV cameras in Cross Flatt Parks and crimes were being committed unmonitored, a resolution was sought. Discussions with the Safer Stronger Communities team sought a clear approach to address this. The matter was also to be referred to the Anti-Social Behaviour Board as funding was likely required and safety was again the priority. Members appreciated the work was ongoing but requested that the trees or overhanging branches were removed as the cost of the CCTV operations were significant and convictions required evidence.

• Members thanked the Parks Operation Manager and the wider Forestry team for their approach to ensuring public safety after the storm and also attending the Committee on short notice when the service was under pressure.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.