Agenda and minutes

To receive notification of the appointment of any Substitute Members at the meeting.

Pursuant to the Council’s Constitution the following substitution was reported:

Councillor Liam Bones for Councillor John Johnsson.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensations that have been granted to you in relation to any matters appearing on the agenda.

There were no Declarations of Interest received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2024.

RESOLVED –         that the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5 November 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To provide members of the Green Sub Committee with draft versions of the revised Tree Management Policy and Tree Planting Strategy.

The Sub-committee received a report and presentation in relation to the Draft Tree Management Policy and Draft Tree Planting Strategy in advance of both being taken to Cabinet.

The Sub-committee noted that the Authority has a statutory duty to ensure that the tree stock is managed in line with legislation and guidance.  The Authority as an employer must follow advice from competent and suitably trained individuals to ensure the decision-making process is sufficient and robust in protecting the safety of others.

The Tree Management Policy was first introduced in 2009 and was last reviewed in 2022 to take into consideration Climate Change and was approved by Cabinet in January 2022.

In July 2023 Council agreed to undertake a review of the Authority’s current tree management policy and refer the policy to this sub-committee for consideration before it is taken to Cabinet.

The revised policy provides a strategic framework for the proactive management of the local tree population.  The policy details how we actively maintain our tree stock and our operational approach to what actions are deemed suitable and appropriate in line with legislation, guidance and best practice.

The sub-committee noted that the existing Tree Planting Strategy currently covers the period 2021-2024.  On 7 September 2021, the draft Strategy was presented to Overview and Scrutiny Environment Sub Committee  for consideration and comment.  It was subsequently approved by Cabinet at its meeting on 24 January 2022.

The aims of the policy are to:

·       Protect what we have

·       Make improvements

·       Maximise the benefits from trees, and

·       Follow best practice

The Authority will have documented processes and procedures that support the policy.  The Authority will employ competent arboriculturists to exercise professional judgement on its behalf.  All decisions about management of trees will be taken by an arboriculturist following an evidence-led approach and best practice.  Decisions about other things that affect trees will be informed by arboriculturist advice.

The Council may also engage in other activities to increase, enhance, promote or understand the treescape.  These are proactive steps which may be taken as opportunities and resources permit and in accordance with other strategies and duties.

It was noted that it is really important that we fulfil our legal obligations as an authority and that we protect the public.

An IT system has been developed and there will be a test against the risk assessment threshold, each tree will be inspected every 5 years.

The sub-committee also noted that in relation to the Tree Planting Strategy, 100,000s of trees have been planted across the region.  That equates to 24 hectares of additional canopy cover.  It is planned that this target will be stretched to provide 35 hectares of cover in the future.

It was queried what the position would be in terms of planning applications.  It was noted that each application would be considered on its own merits and there would be a number of different service areas who would input into the decision.

It was suggested that perhaps the language might need to be strengthened  ...  view the full minutes text for item G5024

The report provides a brief introduction to the actions the Authority is taking to support improvements in home energy efficiency and how this links with the broader programme of how the Authority communicates with residents.  The team attended to update the Committee following its meeting in September.

The Committee were advised that there will be an action plan published of the steps to be taken to make North Tyneside carbon net-zero by 2030.

Officers will be looking for investment opportunities to secure funding to help low-income households to install low-carbon heating.

Communications to residents include:

·       Targeted messaging based on an agreed Communication and Marketing plan based on both Cabinet and officer input

·       The Comms and Marketing Plan based on Council’s Action on Climate Change (AOCC) policy priorities for 24/25 and what will have the most impact in the media and communications

·       Clear, focused and effective communications to deliver information for residents and to influence behaviour change

Communications are via a number of different platforms, both digital and printed media, including Our North Tyneside resident’s magazine and digital magazine, Facebook, Instagram and X, partners such as the North East Community Forest share information and stakeholders such as the External Climate Board.

Some of the successes from 2024 were shared with the sub-committee, including tree planting which was on BBC Look North, Radio Newcastle and the Chronicle.  The Seafront Sustainable Route also made it onto various news channels.  North Tyneside Council were declared a ‘Global Climate Leader’, the Development of the Community Orchards and the small electrical and vapes recycling scheme.

The Committee were advised that North Tyneside has an estimate 100,000 homes, the Housing Revenue Account has circa 14,000 homes, this equates to approximately 14%.  The Committee noted that the Authority has more influence over it’s own stock through investment decisions, although there is a finite amount of money that will likely restrict our ability to deliver the Authority’s ambitions.

The Committee noted that 92% of the Authority's properties are Band C or above.  Only 8% are Band D and 31 are Band E (school houses).  The Sub-Committee were advised that the Authority is in a strong starting position.  The sub-committee were presented with details of some of the historic investment which has taken place including a Solar PV Scheme in partnership with E-ON, External and Internal Wall insulation and High Efficiency Heating Replacements and Controls.  The Sub-Committee were advised that financial pressures continue to increase along with Labour costs, material costs are also increasing.

The Committee were also updated on work which has been undertaken in Communal areas, including a range of compliance activity such as fire risk assessments and emergency lighting testing.

The Committee were advised that there were 26 Sheltered Units, 10 were new build and 16 refurbished.  All of these are constructed to “BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) Excellent and Very Good”.

The Authority does contribute to the Affordable Homes Ambition, however does not have land or cash.  The Authority has been using Innovative Solutions,  ...  view the full minutes text for item G5124

To consider the priorities for inclusion in the Sub-committee’s work programme.

Members of the Committee were asked to email the clerk with any issues they wished to raise for the work programme.

25 March 2025 @18:00

Thursday 6 March 2025 at 6.00pm.