Agenda item

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 A request had been received the change the focus of the funding which was initially granted to replace the outdated lift and to install an accessible toilet upstairs, but this was no longer affordable.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 of tree replacement included various elements involved, e.g., arranging contractors, watering, maintenance etc. The Committee requested a breakdown of these costs.

ACITON: Tree Bristol Officer to provide the Committee with a breakdown of costs per tree replacement.

Tree Bristol Section 106 Tree Planting request:

RESOLVED: That;

The Committee approves the request to omit the accessibility improvements in the Hillfields project and to release the remaining £45,000 of CIL to deliver the amended project.

And;

To approve the funding of £44,720.79 to deliver tree planting and replacement projects along with £181.69 residue S106 funds to support  maintenance.