The BBC has posted a story about a Surrey council that rejected a tree-planting scheme proposed by a neighbourhood volunteer group who wanted to improve and sustain their local trees and hedges.
The Council reject the plan, saying ‘But the local authority said it would be too much for already stretched staff and could lead to unintended consequences and costs.’ No wonder the UK is falling so far behind its tree-planting ambitions. Councils seem to forget that their risk-averse attitudes are, ironically, risking the well-being of their communities and the habitats they need to sustain community involvement.
A supporter of the plan, himself a councillor, said: “It’s really shameful that this council can’t support community groups in environmental initiatives.” He added that the council’s own target is to plant just 20 trees a year.
See the full story here.