Responsibilities
The council has responsibility for the amenity woodland it owns in the borough. There are also trees on many other council owned public areas, parks, open spaces and playgrounds.
We will:
- undertake site specific risk assessments of all tree populated areas for which it is responsible and review these sites every 15 months to 5 years depending on zone categorisation
- where possible, if requested by a resident, the council tree officers will inspect trees for which it is responsible and assess any risk to people or property
- all formal tree inspections will be carried out by suitably qualified professionals, usually council tree officers, who will remain up to date with relevant industry development via regular CPD
- ensure risks are minimised to an acceptable level by good risk management where required in line with current industry recognised practices
- keep full and accurate records of inspections using a digital software system specifically designed for this purpose. Mapping the council tree stock will feed into future management decisions such as identifying where tree planting is required to ensure trees are a landscape feature across the borough. It will also help to monitor canopy cover generally
- report defects for remedial action where required and ensure these actions are completed in a timely manner, to a high standard of work in accordance with industry guidance and documented.