Issue - meetings

Highway Trees Maintenance Contract

Meeting: 05/07/2017 - Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 10)

10 Highway Trees Maintenance Contract pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Minutes:

Simon Fox,  Interim Commissioned Services Manager (Highways and Traffic) introduced the report of the Strategic Commissioner Environment that provided an update on the current position with respect to the maintenance of the Council’s highway tree stock within the Borough. The report informed that Wirral had approximately 25,500 trees on the adopted highway network and that a full survey was conducted in 2012 to identify the number and species of trees. The tree maintenance operational service provision in Wirral was delivered by external suppliers and the service was now managed within the Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) in Business Services.

 

A Member questioned the Interim Commissioned Services Manager (Highways and Traffic) on whether a list existed to identify locations being prioritised for tree / shrub management e.g. where trees may overhang junctions / crossings, or may interfere with the working of solar powered road signage.

 

Mr Fox informed that this formed part of the Council’s maintenance strategy and that the results of the recent survey had been submitted to Man Coed VM Ltd (the Council’s specialist arboriculture and tree surgeon service supplier) and an order had been placed for the immediate removal of all dead, dying or sick trees. All other highway trees requiring attention as a result of the survey had been programmed for planned maintenance on a RAG status priority basis using a risk-based approach, and will be attended over the course of the contract with Man Coed VM Ltd.  Reactive maintenance (as a result of public reports of storm damage or road traffic accident collisions, for example) was also prioritised and issued to the supplier accordingly.

 

In response to a Member question, the Committee was informed that a contract had been awarded to Man Coed VM Ltd in September 2016, for the maintenance of the Council’s highway trees for a two year term, potentially extendable by a further one year. A contract for a full condition survey of all the Council’s highway trees at a cost of approximately £21,000 had also recently been completed by Amenity Tree Care Limited. The results of the survey had been prioritised using a risk-based approach and all statutory clearances were recorded. 

 

Members debated the varied issues associated with street trees – inappropriate locations, damage to footways and vehicles, programmed replacement and the difficulties arising when dealing with problems caused by privately owned trees causing similar damage i.e. insurance policy exemptions and costs arising.

 

Resolved – That the report be noted.