Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Craig Cheney, Lesley Alexander, and Amal Ali.

Resolved: That Cllr Francis be Chair for the duration of the meeting in Cllr Cheney’s absence.

Cllr Ellie King declared that she attends monthly Tree Forum meetings.

Resolved; That the minutes of the previous meeting on 15^th November 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Members of the public may make a written statement or ask a question as long as it is about a matter for which this committee has responsibility. Your statement or question will be sent to the Committee and be available at least one hour before the meeting.

Please submit to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk. The following requirements apply:

·       The statement is received no later than 12.00 noon on the working day before the meeting (Monday 25^th July 2022).

·       The question is received no later than 5pm three clear working days before the meeting (Wednesday 20^th July 2022) .

Members noted a Public Forum statement from Adrian Andrew, ACORN regarding dangerous driving in Lockleaze.

The Community Resources Manager introduced the report and highlighted the key points:

·       The committee was asked to note that the unit cost of tree replacement had increased from £765.21 to £1,041.66 per tree.

·       The unit cost of replacement tree planting had been held for the last nine years, but this costing could no longer be maintained, due to rising costs, and the relevant Retail Price Index increase to tree replacement had been applied.

·       The Committee noted that a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman by a Bristol resident regarding transparency around funding criteria and decision-making processes had been upheld in part. The Council agreed to ensure that the reasons for rejecting outline proposals at stage one meetings were clearly recorded and published on the Council’s website.

·       At the end of June 2022 there was an overall sum of £40,420,62 general expenditure available to Area Committee 3.

·       There was a total of £94,291.13 uncommitted Section 106 agreement monies available for AC3, of which £44,720.79was designated specifically for tree planting and tree replacement.

·       In 2019 the Committee approved £90,000 of CIL to the Hillfields Family & Community Trust. Since then, the Committee has released £45,000 to enable work to start. A request had been received the change the focus of the funding which was initially granted to replace the outdated lift and to install an accessible toilet upstairs, but this was no longer affordable. Therefore, the Trust wish to reprioritise for basic repairs to the building (sports hall floor, leaking roof and new doors/windows) and making the building secure through installation of security access system.

Discussion points:

·       There was a discussion around tree planning in Lockleaze and Horefield. It was noted that 94 trees had been planted in the area already as part of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund.

·       It was noted that the tree canopy in Horfield was only 9.1% which needed to be addressed.

·       Concerns were raised around tree trunk support in Lockleaze, and officers advised that they would be looking at trees in the area in the coming weeks but urged members to flag specific areas with the team.

·       Members suggested that in addition to publishing decisions around projects taken forwards that there could also be a list showing reasons why some projects are selected for funding.

·       Members noted the financial challenge that was faced by community spaces during the pandemic and that the Hillfields Family and Community Trust was crucial in supporting local residents. There was a range of activities that the centre offered to the local area.

·       Members discussed the request to change the focus for the Hillfields Family and Community Trust CIL funded project and whether they would need to re-apply and the Committee agreed that remaining funds should be released to complete the much needed work.

·       It was noted that tree planting would be within a 1 mile radius of the relevant site, but the proximity depended on the planting opportunities in the area.

·       It was noted that the unit cost  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.