Issue - meetings

This report summarises the outcomes of the York Green Streets ‘opportunity mapping’ exercise undertaken earlier this year to assess the scope for new tree planting in York’s urban and peri-urban area towards the council’s agreed 2050 tree canopy target.

Resolved:

                     i.        That the contents of the report and the progress made to date to noted, including the pending WCAF grant funding application to support additional officer capacity for new urban and peri urban tree planting.

                    ii.        That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director for Policy and Strategy to identify and apply for external capital funding to support delivery of the opportunities identified, following further extensive local stakeholder engagement.

Reason:     To support new tree planting in York’s urban and peri-urban area towards the council’s agreed 2050 tree canopy target.

The Executive Member considered a report that summarised the outcomes of the York Green Streets (YGS) ‘opportunity mapping’ exercise undertaken earlier that year to assess the scope for new tree planting in York’s urban and peri-urban area towards the council’s agreed 2050 tree canopy target.

The York Community Woodland Project Manager outlined the report noting the delegated authority included in the recommendations to the Executive Member. He noted that the funding to support additional officer capacity would be subject to a successful application to the Forestry Commission Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund (WCAF). The council has submitted a funding bid and outcome will be known by mid-October. He detailed the timeline and key findings of the York Green Streets opportunity mapping. He explained that any delivery of the opportunities identified would be dependent on community consultation and he encouraged members of the public to contact him with any questions.

The Executive Member summarised the timeline and process for the WCAF. The York Community Woodland Project Manager was asked and confirmed that the next step was to await the announcement of the WCAF funding bid as this will determine whether the council has the resources needed to employ additional officer capacity to support new tree planting at scale.  Should this bid be successful, the next challenge would be to identify and secure the required funding to support tree planting and ongoing maintenance, subject to there being demonstrable local community support.

Resolved:

                     i.        That the contents of the report and the progress made to date to noted, including the pending WCAF grant funding application to support additional officer capacity for new urban and peri urban tree planting.

                    ii.        That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director for Policy and Strategy to identify and apply for external capital funding to support delivery of the opportunities identified, following further extensive local stakeholder engagement.

Reason:     To support new tree planting in York’s urban and peri-urban area towards the council’s agreed 2050 tree canopy target.