Page 8 - HGS Suburb News 137 - Winter 2019

London Borough of Barnet Tree Policy

The HGSRA has enjoyed a close are assessed for this, and if found Replacement planting will be carried out. Cosmetic works
working liaison with Barnet appropriate, managed according follow a three year cycle, where will not be considered unless
Council’s Tree Officers for more to guidance published by the 50% of trees removed during considered reasonable to be
than 20 years, focussing primarily London Tree Officers Association any financial year will be undertaken by the Tree Officer.
on restoring the Suburb’s original (LTOA) referred to in all recent replaced in that year, 25% in (2.38)
planting design, which included court cases by the judiciary. This the second year and the final Tree removal will not be
street tree species. A presentation recommends a system of cyclical 25% in the third year. (2.25) considered if there is little risk
at Fellowship House by Andy maintenance, selective removal Priority will be given to associated with tree retention.
Tipping, the LB Barnet Trees & where justified following a claim main roads, streets where major High risk zones will be identified
Woodlands Manager, last year gave and where evidence is conclusive, tree removal is necessary, where and trees within these zones
an overview of the new Barnet and occasionally root barrier substantial mature trees have will be inspected following
Tree Policy published in 2017. installation below ground. (1.22, been removed, and where significant storms. (2.39)
This article summarises some 1.23, 1.25) resident contact has been Wherever possible and safe,
sections of the Policy dealing with Planned maintenance is received requesting replanting. trees will be allowed to fall
common queries from residents. carried out as a three year cycle (2.25) naturally to promote biodiversity
The full policy can be seen on following tree surveys that identify Planting will prioritise larger and habitat enhancement. This
the Council’s website at: www. any necessary works. This work growing, shade-providing trees includes retaining standing
barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/ concentrates on maintaining trees following Urban Heat Island deadwood. (2.42)
parks-sport-and-leisure/trees/ in their immediate environment targets scaling down to smaller
tree-policy.html. Figures at the with due regard to encroachment, ornamental trees where larger
end of paragraphs refer to shape, future growth of tree, and trees are not suitable.
paragraph numbers in the Policy. subsidence risk management. This will also be the case
LB BARNET TREE POLICY (2.1) where trees have been removed
LB Barnet has a Tree Policy Works outside the cyclical for subsidence reasons. (2.27)
relating to trees on land owned pruning cycle may be carried Parks and Open Spaces
by the Council, including street out if a tree is found to be in an Horse Chestnuts outside 64 & 66 Northway containing telephone contact Trees are managed to maximise
when remedial pruning cannot
trees, parks and open spaces. A unreasonable condition in the be undertaken or an engineered details. (2.16) their landscape amenity and
small team of qualified and context of neighbouring properties, wildlife value. Therefore only
solution cannot be implemented.
Work considered urgent or
experienced arboriculturists is or a tree is missed from the (2.4) in the interest of public safety essential works for health and
employed directly by the Council, cyclical maintenance program. Where street trees are growing will be carried out within 24 safety and subsidence risk will Stump outside 64 Northway
and all work is carried out by (2.10) at an angle, action required in hours. No notice will be given
contractors employed on fixed Works in response to a
terms. (0.1, 0.2) query are carried out monthly each case will be assessed on its prior to the works being carried Children’s Hallowe’en
out. (2.19)
merits.(2.35)
The policy outlines how the where the Tree Officer deems Where tree removal has been Tree Planting
Council manages a healthy, diverse work to be necessary. (2.2) requested by residents and this The plan for the next five years One of the main events of the teller, Hannah Brailsford, enthralled
and extensive tree stock, and Urgent works are usually year for little people in HGS is the kids with her tales, while artist
why certain works are carried prompted by resident contact removal is assessed as unjustified is to increase the number of the RA’s Hallowe’en Party, held Vera Moore supervised artwork
by council officers, if resident is
trees and canopy cover across
out on certain trees. (0.3) and can be caused by adverse not satisfied, there is a review the Borough, targeting areas in the peaceful environment of and designs, and her daughter
Relevant issues considered by weather, vehicle damage or tree Fellowship House! Lera handled the face-painting
the Tree officers are aesthetics, risk failure. They are usually dealt and complaints procedure. (2.5) with the highest levels of NO2 So popular, it was fully booked area. Talented pastry experts kindly
Refusal of works
management, resident concerns, with within seven days or if Tree work will not normally be concentrations and high Urban and we had a waiting list. The provided the cakes, which were
Heat Island temperatures. (2.22)
ecosystem services delivery (Urban found to be an emergency will carried out if it is outside the The program is to achieve a hall was packed with children quickly eaten.
Heat Island management, shade to be dealt with immediately or Policy, and works will normally net gain in trees across the dressed up as princesses, pirates A good time was had by all
reduce temperatures, biodiversity, within 24 hours depending on and ghosts. A new dynamic story- and it ended far too soon!
flood alleviation) national and condition. (2.3) be refused if requested for the Borough so:
Vacant tree pits i.e. locations
following reasons:
city-wide targets. (1.5, 1.6) There is an out-of-hours • Interference with satellite dish/ where trees have been before,
Tree maintenance service on 020 8359 2000. TV reception. but have not yet been replanted TONY BRAND
and subsidence Removal of healthy trees is
Trees which may present a risk of undertaken only in exceptional • Resident’s perception that tree have been identified and plans
is too large.
made to increase the numbers
building damage from subsidence circumstances only, normally
• Obstruction of view or light. of trees each year.
• Seasonal nuisance eg. leaf fall. Where tree removal is
• Resident’s perception that tree necessary, the Council would
will cause damage in the future. look to plant a new tree on a
• To replace a healthy mature one to one ratio. If the original
tree to create space for planting site is inappropriate to re-plant,
of new trees. (2.9) a more suitable location within
10 working days notice of the immediate area will be
tree removal is given using signs designated. (2.28)
Letters to the editor

Middleway, NW11 put into place when hard winter We encourage readers to report there is that censorship. Imagine a
Bin Collection Day change conditions caused huge potholes. problems in their areas as they are rule that the government could
Dear Sir, Turning to pavements, we have best placed to do so but if the issue only be criticised in the House of
Since the above, our collection has also put pressure on LB Barnet via is not fixed they should contact Commons with its prior approval.
not been as it should. We have had the Councillors to replace numerous their local Councillors. Yours
only one bin emptied per week and sections of dangerous paving in the David Iwi
this week even the green bin wasn’t area. LB Barnet recently carried out
emptied! I have tried contacting their own extensive survey of paving Raeburn Close, NW11 The Trust’s reply:
Barnet Council who do nothing, and throughout the Suburb using third Dear Sir The Trust’s position is that it has
have had to bother our Councillor party contractors in October 2018 You report that there were no upsets complied with its duties; legal and
twice to get things moving. and we hope this will result in at the Trust’s AGM last September. accounting advice have confirmed this.
Yours some comprehensive improvements There is a bizarre provision in the Mr Iwi requested in writing
Hannah Colton to the safety of our paving. Trust’s constitution that a resolution (in accordance with the Trust’s
Our Councillors would tell you can only be proposed with the constitution) that a resolution be put
Editor: See article on front cover that they hear from the RA very prior consent of the Trust Council, to the AGM on this matter. The
and Barnet’s statement on p2. frequently on things that need with the result that the more appointed and elected trustees
dealing with: flipped kerb stones indefensible its actions, the greater rejected the request as they are
(a frequent occurrence); dumping the incentive for it to refuse consent. entitled to under the constitution
Meadway, NW11 in Bute Mews behind Market Place; In this instance, despite the large on the basis that the draft
Dear Sir fallen trees; water leaks which the increase in the level of staff over resolution contained matters put
I am extremely unhappy about the water companies seem to ignore. the years, the Council refused to the last three AGMs by Mr Iwi
condition of roads and pavements The list goes on and on. We are also consent to discuss at the AGM a and contained nothing new.
in the Suburb. frequently in touch with the area proposal that there should be a Mr Iwi has not adduced any
I know it is the responsibility representative from LB Barnet to clean management review. Trust meetings support for his proposition among
of Barnet Council, but surely it is up rubbish, including the frequent will continue to be a charade while other Trust members.
the communication and pressure fly tipping of builders rubble/
the HGSRA put on them on behalf household waste and mattresses.
of the residents that should result As a reminder, LB Barnet has P R HARTLEY
in an acceptable environment? an online process to report issues
Yours www.barnet.gov.uk/citizen-home/
Suburb Resident council-and-democracy/report-it- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
now.html. & REGISTERED AUDITOR
Response from Emma Howard Water leaks should be reported
Chair, HGSRA: to Thames Water at www.thames Accounting & Taxation Services
Working with our local Councillors, water.co.uk/Help-and-Advice/
members of the RA pushed very hard Report-a-problem/Report-a-
to get much of Meadway, Hampstead problem?type=leak. Call 020 8731 9745 or 07850 634395
Way, Kingsley Way, Bigwood Road, Some of our water pipes come Email paul@prhartley.co.uk
Thornton Way and Wildwood Road under Affinity Water: reportable at www.prhartley.co.uk
(plus other local roads) resurfaced in https://myonlineaccount.affinity
Spring 2018, plus temporary fixes water.co.uk/ReportaLeak/Index.
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