Agenda item

The report recommends funding decision on submitted Full Proposal for approval of S106 Tree planting funds 

The Community Resources Manager (CRM) introduced the report and drew attention to the following:

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) available to the Area Committee totalled £50,611.64. 

The Community Resources Team had explored unspent CIL allocations which had not been spent and had confirmation that the allocation of £2,197.00 to Sustainable Bishopston in June 2016 was no longer required.  The Councillors agreed that those funds could be un-allocated and allocated elsewhere.  This meant a new total of available CIL funding of £52,808.64

The Section 106 (S106) available to the Area Committee totalled £42,226.39 of which £5,991.51 was designated specifically for tree planting and tree replacement.

The reprt outlined the ongoing project, working with ‘Trees for Climate’ fund from DEFRA and also how the team linked to funding through private or corporate sponsorship of tree plots.

Bristol City Council and their partners aimed to plant as many trees as possible in the Local Authority Area. Bristol’s One City Action Plan has the environmental objective of doubling the tree canopy in the city by 2046 and becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

In response to questions from Councillors, the CRM clarified that accessibility was taken into consideration when choosing locations for plots, along with other relevant factors. 

The requirement was summarised as follows:

The recommendations were moved, seconded and following a vote it was:

RESOLVED that the Committee

1. Noted the proposed update of progress on previously approved projects.

2. Noted the progress of 2021/22 Area Committee process and the decision-making for S106 monies specified for tree planting and replacement

3. Noted the CIL and S106 monies available at 30th June 2021

4. Agreed to ‘unallocate’ £2,197.00 Sustainable Bishopston (June 2016) of CIL which had not been drawn down from pre-2018 awards at 5b

5. Considered the funding for the S106 Tree Proposal submitted and agreed not to add any conditions.

6. Noted the legal information concerning the Public Sector Equality duty in reaching all its decisions.

8. Approved the allocation of the residue of £133.25 from various S106 which cannot be re-combined to fund additional tree plantings.