Issue - decisions

(i)         that the Arboricultural Services Contract be extended by two years to 31 March 2018, noting the rationale for doing so as set out in the report;

(ii)        that the negotiated service improvements offered by the incumbent contractor for the contract extension period (summarised in paragraph 5.9) be accepted;

(iii)       that a programme of removal and replacement of lime trees in the poorest condition be commenced, to improve the quality of the council’s tree stock;

(iv)       that approval be given to the establishment of an intra-authority and intra-service working group, aimed at sharing knowledge and securing a formal Trees Partnership ahead of future tree maintenance procurement.