Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026
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Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026 Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall 2014 to 2014 Our vision - “To increase, enhance and sustain the urban forest for Walsall borough improving social, economic and environmental benefits for future communities” Date 1 Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026 Contents Foreword .................................................................................................................. 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 4 1. Policy in context 1.1 Local policy ......................................................................................... 6 1.2 Regional policy ................................................................................... 8 1.3 National policy .................................................................................... 8 1.4 Planning policy .................................................................................... 9 1.5 Legislative drivers ............................................................................... 9 2. Introduction: 2.1 Why an Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall ...................................... 11 2.2 Vision ................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Aims & Objectives ................................................................................ 14 2.4 Review of 2007 strategy ..................................................................... 14 2.5 Management plans.............................................................................. 17 2.6 Measuring and reporting...................................................................... 18 3. Benefits of Trees: 3.1 Trees and climate change .................................................................. 19 3.2 Neighbourhoods and communities ..................................................... 20 3.3 Financial ............................................................................................. 20 3.4 Biodiversity & Landscape ................................................................... 21 3.5 Veteran & Ancient trees....................................................................... 21 3.6 Canopy cover ..................................................................................... 23 3.7 Pollarding policy ................................................................................. 28 3.8 Timber management .......................................................................... 29 3.9 C.A.V.A.T........................................................................................... 31 4. Trees on Council land 4.1 Council owned trees and their management .................................... 32 4.2 Managing risk ................................................................................... 33 4.3 Street Trees ...................................................................................... 35 4.4 Parks and green spaces .................................................................. 36 4.5 Schools and cemetery sites ............................................................. 36 4.6 Woodlands and Conservation sites ................................................. 37 4.7 Cyclical and re-active management plans ....................................... 39 4.8 Sustainability, planting (right trees, right place) ............................... 42 4.9 Bio-security.......................................................................................... 42 5. Trees on Private land and development sites ......................................... 43 5.1 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (The Act in relation to trees) .... 44 5.2 Conservation areas and protected trees ........................................... 44 5.3 Tree preservation orders (TPO’s) ..................................................... 44 6. Appendices: 6.1 Appendix 1 – Glossary of Terms......................................................... 46 6.2 Appendix 2 – Frequently asked questions ......................................... 47 2 Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026 6.3 Appendix 3 – Tree risk management strategy………………………… 53 6.4 Appendix 4 – Tree Buildings & Structures……………………………… 61 6.5 Appendix 5 -- Tree management Policy………………………………… 64 6.6 Appendix 6 – Action Plan ………………………………………………… 71 6.7 Appendix 7 -- References………………………………………………… 74 Foreword Trees, woodlands and urban forest are an essential part of the borough’s character and identity and define the neighbourhoods and areas of where we live, work and play. They breathe life into communities, and provide a welcoming backdrop to the stresses and demands to everyday life. They provide us with a reminder of the seasons, acting as natures clock in defining changes through the year with the coming of spring, leaf colour and fall, and the glistening of frost covered branches. Walsall is geologically and topographically diverse, comprising leafier suburbs across the eastern side of the borough with denser tree canopies and a more rural landscape within a patchwork of farmland, green spaces and parks to the west, defining the industrial heritage of the town. Walsall is steeped in heritage with its premier Victorian park (The Arboretum) centrally located within the town providing a rural escape and refuge bringing local communities together as well as attracting regional and national acclaim for its standards, events and attractions. All local authorities have a duty to protect our natural heritage and value the asset of their trees. Walsall is no exception to this in managing large numbers of trees both directly and indirectly to ensure their preservation for future generations and contribute to tackling wider implications of climate change and biodiversity loss. 3 Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026 Executive Summary Introduction: This Urban Forestry Strategy (UFS) for Walsall sets out the strategic framework for the management of trees in the borough over the next 10 years. It has been prepared with reference to legislative drivers along with local, regional and national policies. In May 2007 Walsall Council approved its first Urban Forestry Strategy in order to define what is an ‘Urban Forest’, the importance of trees and develop a framework and focus on the management of the borough’s tree assets. In delivering this strategy, the council intends to: 1. Ensure that the tree population is protected, developed and expanded for the future. 2. Promote a greater sense of community ownership, awareness and education on the importance and management of our trees and the benefits to people’s well being. 3. Ensure the health and safety of both people and property are protected through risk management and pro-active maintenance of our tree stock. 4. Ensure that maintenance of our trees is managed in a professional manner undertaking appropriate works giving due consideration to health and requirements of the trees. 5. Consider the wider impact of trees at a regional and national level and how Walsall’s approach has an impact on the wider global climate. 6. Review and update the strategy periodically (at least every five years). Delivering the Strategy: Walsall Council have embarked on a series of activities designed to deliver improvements in service provision and initiate the implementation of the Urban Forestry strategy. The main actions for the forthcoming year are summarised below. Under this strategy Urban Forestry Team will be responsible for all trees and woodlands and their management in accordance to meeting the Authorities statutory obligations of a responsible tree owner and ensuring proactive and appropriate legislative guidance is followed to provide a sustainable and healthy tree population for future generations. 4 Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026 Year 2014/15 – short term actions: Service actions and improvements for 2014/15 are set out in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 Ref: Action Timescale Lead 1 Program to achieve full itinerary of tree 2015/16 Officer time population for Walsall as part of cyclical program ongoing beginning with wards of: Pelsall – Streetly - Brownhills - Blakenall Brownhills - St Matthews - Birchills – Leamore, Pheasey Park - Paddock 2 Secure annual tree planting budget of 10k to 2015/16 Head of support strategic objectives. Service 3 Proactive discussions to incorporate tree 2015/16 Officer time management in schools into S.L.A. 4 G.I.S. tree datasets incorporated into Ezytreev . 2015/16 Officer time/G.I.S. 5 Publish tree management policies after 2015/16 Officer time consultation 6 Publish tree assessment and work schedules in 2015/16 Officer time advance for transparency in Councils Tree Maintenance Program 7 Instigate new management process with Risk & 2015/16 Officer Insurance in relation to subsidence claims. time/Risk & (L.T.O.A .J.M.P.) Insurance team 8 Communications team leading design of website 2015/16 Officer time to provide online service to public in all tree related matters 9 Call centre and Urban forestry to set out 2015/16 Officer time emergency operating procedures in the event of emergency tree work callouts 10 To create woodland management plans for 2015/16 Officer time Merrions wood, Longwood Gap wood, Moorcroft wood. 11 Bi-monthly meetings with Tree wardens to be 2015/16 Officer time arranged 5 Urban Forestry Strategy for Walsall Council 2016- 2026 1.Policy in context 1.1 Local policy With key drivers contained within