Issue - meetings

To consider authorising a funding bid for the Loal Authority Treescapes Fund, and to delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Governance to enter a contract with Earthwatch to deliver the Tiny Forest project.

The Committee resolved to

1.    Authorise Spelthorne Officers to submit a funding bid to the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, and

2.    Delegate authority to Head of Corporate Governance to enter a contract with Earthwatch to deliver the Tiny Forest project.

The Committee considered a request to submit a funding bid for the creation of one or more Tiny Forests within the borough. The bid would be submitted in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council, and at least two suitable sites in Staines and Ashford had been identified and would be confirmed shortly. The cost of establishing each site would be approximately £32,960. There would be no cost to the Council as it would be covered by the Local Authority Treescape Fund, and extra support would be provided by Earthwatch.

The Committee expressed their support for the proposal, but raised concern that the proposed sites would exclude a large portion of the population. It was confirmed that Council owned sites with community use were being explored for future funding opportunities. The Committee provided suggestions for future sites that could be explored for the project if the first round of the project was successful.

The Committee resolved to

1.     Authorise Spelthorne Officers to submit a funding bid to the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, and

2.     Delegate authority to Head of Corporate Governance to enter a contract with Earthwatch to deliver the Tiny Forest project.