This report concerns a draft Tree Strategy 2020, which is proposed for public consultation to take place in March and April 2020.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which set out a draft Tree Strategy 2020, which would be considered by Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 16 March 2020, for endorsement.  The following documents were appended to the report:

Appendix 1 - Equality Impact Assessment Scoping;

Appendix 2 - Draft Tree Strategy 2020.

The report explained that the new Tree Strategy was needed to replace the 2010 version as an important part of the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency.  The Strategy included ambitious aims and objectives for tree planting to 2030 and 2050, and included details of how the existing tree stock would be protected and maintained.  Key stakeholders and environmental groups had been given the opportunity to express their views which had been incorporated into the document, and public consultation would take place during March and April 2020.

The report stated that the Tree Strategy was built around a number of objectives, with actions against each objective.  The Strategy looked at tree management and planting on the Council’s own land, as well as measures dealing with trees on private land.  The objectives of the Strategy are set out below:

1.     RBC Tree Stock – protect, retain, manage and plant trees to ensure an increased canopy cover of healthy trees resistant to pest & diseases and climate change and to reduce air pollution.

2.     Climate adaptation – increase the diversity of the tree stock (family, genus and species) to provide resistance to climate change; plant large canopy species wherever feasible; maintain and keep trees healthy in order that they could achieve their full potential thus ensuring that Reading’s Urban Forest was resilient to the impacts of climate change and provided the maximum role in mitigating its effects.

3.     Tree planting – plant at least 3,000 ‘standard’ trees by 2030 on Council land.

4.     Canopy cover – increase overall canopy cover to 25% by 2050; ensure that all wards had at least 12% canopy cover by 2050; and target priority areas for tree planting based on canopy cover, air pollution, treed corridors, green links, areas of high landscape value and ensure RBC and planting on development sites considers these.

5.     Protection of private trees – the Local Planning Authority would continue to use its powers under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 to make Tree Preservation Orders and to retain & protect trees on development sites in line with good arboricultural practice.

6.     RBC would engage with partners, public and landowners and work with key partner volunteer groups to raise awareness of the Tree Strategy aims and good arboricultural management practices.

7.     Improve biodiversity across the Borough by: selecting trees that were either native or of wildlife value, particularly in semi-natural areas; by ensuring that tree planting did not compromise or adversely affect other habitats; and by protecting ancient woodlands and ancient/veteran trees.

8.     Identify all areas suitable for street tree and other planting on Council land – initial study to be completed by 2021, with continued updates.

9.     Funding – continue to secure funding for tree planting and maintenance through government and other funding streams and partners.

10.   Biosecurity – continually review RBC purchasing and working practices to ensure RBC were working to good arboricultural practice to minimise the chance of introducing and/or spreading pests, diseases or invasive species within the Borough.

11.   Trees & Development – tree retention, protection and planting within development sites in would be in accordance with the aims of the Tree Strategy and Local Plan policies.

12.   Monitor progress – record and report net tree gain on an annual basis and reassess canopy cover in 2030.

In terms of quantitative targets, the strategy included shorter-term targets for tree planting by 2030 and longer-term targets for canopy cover by 2050.  The proposed tree planting on Council land would represent a 50% increase over current rates.  However, as trees took some time to mature, it would be a number of years before increased tree planting in line with this strategy was reflected in increased canopy cover, and this was why no canopy cover target by 2030 was proposed.  There were four wards which fell below the ward-specific canopy cover target (Abbey, Battle, Katesgrove and Whitley), and these, along with the treed corridors, would need to see much of the tree planting.

Councillor Rowland recommended amendments to the Strategy, which were accepted by the Committee and are set out in the resolution below.

Resolved:

(1)     That the draft Strategy be endorsed for approval by Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 16 March 2020 as amended below:

(a)         Objective 4 of the Tree Strategy be amended to state:

“Canopy cover – increase overall canopy cover to 25% by 2030; ensure that all wards have at least 12% canopy cover by 2030; and target priority areas for tree planting based on canopy cover, air pollution, treed corridors, green links, areas of high landscape value and ensure RBC and planting on development sites considers these.”

(b)         the references to Objective 4 in the Executive Summary and the Action Plan in Appendix 1 be changed from 2050 to 2030.

(c)         That paragraphs 3.65-3.69 the Strategy be amended as follows:

3.65 “It is important for this Strategy to aim to increase canopy cover in light of the global climate crisis.  This aim must balance ambition with what can realistically be achieved, taking account of the borough’s geography.

3.66 Reading is a highly urban Borough, with the fourth highest population density in the South East at the 2011 Census. That translates directly to a densely built environment with almost half of Reading’s area covered by the footprint of buildings, road carriageways and railway lines.  The Council owns or has direction over approximately a quarter of all the land within the Borough and much of that land is made up of other areas where opportunities for tree planting are very limited, such as sports pitches, surface car parks, service yards, open water, or priority habitats that are not characterised by tree cover. Within that context, it remains notable that Reading’s tree cover is already higher than the average for towns and cities of 16% (Forest Research, 2018). There is thus limited additional land available for planting, and even less land over which the Council is able to exercise control.

3.67 This Strategy aims to increase canopy coverage within the Borough to 25% by 2030.  This is a genuinely ambitious target which responds to the immediate Climate Emergency we face, whilst reflecting the amount of land that is likely to be suitable and potentially achievable for extended cover.  It would represent a substantial 39% increase in canopy cover over existing levels.

3.68 To achieve this target, it is evident that the Council recognises that it cannot undertake achieving these results alone. Most essentially, it will need private landowners across the Borough to respond similarly and immediately through their own planting. The Council reiterates that the number of trees planted must significantly exceed those felled on Council land and this follows true for each and every private land owner within the borough to achieve 25% tree cover by 2030.

3.69 In addition, whilst recognising that each ward has a distinct geography, the aim is to ensure that all wards exceed 12% canopy cover by 2030, and this will require immediate improvement in four wards in particular – Abbey, Battle, Katesgrove and Whitley. Again, the Council will do its part through Council planting (subject to funding), ensuring net increases in tree numbers on development sites and the retention of trees through TPOs. However, the contribution of private landowners will again be vital.

These two paragraphs remain as is:

“3.70 Ward boundaries in Reading are under review, and are expected to change shortly. There will therefore be a need for an early review of this Strategy to take account of the new wards and amend objectives accordingly. This review may also cover other matters.

3.71 In order to contribute to the aim of increasing canopy cover, the Council will aim to plant at least three trees for every non-woodland one felled on its own land. Over the last 10 years, the Council’s target of planting two trees for every one felled has been surpassed, and it is an opportunity to increase our ambitions to meet the climate change challenge. However, achieving this will require an increase in funding for tree planting and maintenance.”

And to add:

3.72 The Council will work with key stakeholders to ensure that a robust and active engagement and encouragement programme is established and motivated as set out in sections N1, N5, N7, N17 and N21 in the Nature Theme Action Plan of the Draft Climate Change Strategy document. It is evident that without the public’s involvement, this ambitious target will fail and it is their active and willing participation alongside the Council that is paramount to achieving this aggressive target.

(2)     That the Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to make any changes necessary as a result of consultation and approve the final Tree Strategy, in consultation with the Lead Councillors for Culture, Heritage & Recreation and Strategic Environment, Planning & Transport.