Trees in local authority owned and controlled education sites policy

Policy 12

Tree Management at Local Authority Owned and Controlled Education Sites

The council will survey trees on Local Authority owned and controlled education sites, supporting their use as an educational resource.

Policy description This policy applies to local authority owned and controlled education sites but not to academies or free schools. Trees have become increasingly important as a learning resource for children, with this reflected in the growing number of schools offering forest school programmes and using their sites as outdoor classrooms.
Implementation

The council will survey trees on local authority owned and controlled education sites with condition reports provided on a biennial basis, and remedial works undertaken as required. Remedial works will be paid from the Local Authority controlled education sites devolved budgets.

The council will provide advice to these education sites on the management of trees, planting of trees and use of trees as an educational resource as requested.

The number of trees and diversity of species and age structure will be maintained or increased on Local Authority owned and controlled education sites. New planting will be promoted, particularly of native species.

The council will seek to encourage biodiversity by applying the principles set out in Policy 21.

Strategic objective delivery SO1, SO5