Agenda item

Vegetation against Property: Policy Development Note SEF 02/20

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided the Vegetation against Property Policy Development Note. The report outlined the Policy Development note (PDN) that has been prepared on the management of Vegetation Against Property (VAP) where substantial subsidence compensation claims can arise from the impact of our trees on neighbours’ buildings.

 

Replying to a query from a member of the committee the Director of Open Spaces explained that interventions may not always be financial and may involve the removal of Forest trees.  Where monies are required for VAP compensation settlement would not be drawn from the Forest Fund or operational budgets, and instead was met by the City Corporation’s Central Funds through a mixture of self-insurance and insurance premiums.

 

In answer to a Member’s question the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the majority of claims came from three Forest compartments.  It was explained that, while modern building regulations made it easier to mitigate issues regarding VAP, many properties affected were built to a less exacting standard.  In answer to a further question regarding the primacy of the Forest over later housing, the Director confirmed that legal advice would be procured to test this proposition. In addition, the Director of Open Spaces noted that the department would continue to develop defensive management systems and defend the established legal position.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 

 

Supporting documents: