Decision
Analysis
outcome: The recommendations in the report were approved unanimously.
summary: The decision at stake is the approval of the revised Ash Die Back Action Plan by the Scrutiny, Performance & Standards Committee.
topline: The Scrutiny, Performance & Standards Committee has decided to approve the revised Ash Die Back Action Plan.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves potential risks and impacts posed by Ash Die Back Disease, which could affect various stakeholders such as tree owners and environmental organizations.
affected_stakeholders: ["Council members", "Tree owners", "Environmental organizations"]
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://brentwood.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1295
Decision Maker: Scrutiny, Performance and Standards Committee
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: The report was referred to the 11th December 2024 Scrutiny, Performance & Standards Committee following deferral at Clean and Green Committee on 23rd September 2024. The Committee Chair requested the item was further deferred and referred to the Ash Die Back Working Group, convened to review the policy in further detail and report back on any recommendations to the Scrutiny, Performance & Standards Committee. A review of the ash die back policy was commissioned by the Council, undertaken by Arboricultural Consultant, Dominic Posten of Hallwood Associates (appendix A of the report). The Ash Die Back Working Group met on two occasions and recommendations from the Working Group have been incorporated into the revised ash die back action plan for consideration by the Committee. The Action Plan sets out the Council’s Policy regarding the possible risk and impact posed by Ash Die Back Disease. The policy follows the latest national guidance and industry best practice and adopts the Tree Councils guidance ‘Ash Die Back – A guide for Tree Owners’. This policy is advised by national bodies including Woodland Trust, Arboricultural Association, Forest Research, Forestry Commission, DEFRA, Tree Council and the National Tree Safety Group (NTSG). Committee members thanked fellow Councillors and Officers for the work undertaken. Cllr Wagland requested the total cost of the consultancy work which Marcus Hotten will provide. Cllr Naylor MOVED and Cllr Gorton SECONDED the recommendation in the report. A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to: To recommend to the Clean & Green Committee, that the revised Ash Die Back Action Plan, as appended to this report, is approved.
Date of Decision: June 4, 2025