URL: https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5701

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The current Cambridge City Council Tree Strategy (2016-2026) is due to expire in 2026. A replacement strategy is required to ensure the Council continues to manage and enhance the city’s urban forest proactively, to the benefit of existing and future communities, the local environment, and our arboricultural heritage.   The new UFS keeps the same vision as the 2016-2026 Strategy but is shorter and easier to follow. Supporting text and detailed evidence are now provided separately in a suite of Topic Papers, while the main strategy sets out the Council’s principles, delivery approaches, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This ensures both clarity of direction and accountability for delivery.   The UFS also reflects the Council’s adoption of the term “urban forest1 ” in place of “tree strategy,” recognising the success of the previous strategy in embedding this concept in public and organisational understanding. The renaming of the Senior Arboricultural Officer post to Urban Forest Manager acknowledges the importance of the urban forest and the need for collective action in its stewardship.   This report seeks approval to proceed to consultation on the draft UFS, to test its deliverability with internal service partners and to seek views from residents, community groups, and other stakeholders.

Content: The current Cambridge City Council Tree Strategy (2016-2026) is due to expire in 2026. A replacement strategy is required to ensure the Council continues to manage and enhance the city’s urban forest proactively, to the benefit of existing and future communities, the local environment, and our arboricultural heritage.   The new UFS keeps the same vision as the 2016-2026 Strategy but is shorter and easier to follow. Supporting text and detailed evidence are now provided separately in a suite of Topic Papers, while the main strategy sets out the Council’s principles, delivery approaches, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This ensures both clarity of direction and accountability for delivery.   The UFS also reflects the Council’s adoption of the term “urban forest1 ” in place of “tree strategy,” recognising the success of the previous strategy in embedding this concept in public and organisational understanding. The renaming of the Senior Arboricultural Officer post to Urban Forest Manager acknowledges the importance of the urban forest and the need for collective action in its stewardship.   This report seeks approval to proceed to consultation on the draft UFS, to test its deliverability with internal service partners and to seek views from residents, community groups, and other stakeholders. Cabinet resolved:   1.Approves the progression to consultation on the new Cambridge City Council Urban Forest Strategy (2026-2036) (UFS).   2. Notes that consultation will take place in two stages: an internal consultation with service delivery partners, followed by a public consultation alongside the Biodiversity Strategy review.   3. Delegates finalisation of consultation documents and proposals to the Director of City Services.

Date of Decision: September 25, 2025