- Green Councillor frustrated on lack of action with passed motion
- Presents motion again to ensure traction from new administration
- Tree Canopy Cover reduced to 12%
Concerns are mounting over the continued decline of Southend’s urban tree population and the city’s tree canopy cover, which has fallen to around 12%, far below the minimum target of 15%.
A recent council motion to address these pressing issues has stalled, leaving environmental activists, councillors, and residents frustrated by the lack of progress.
In September 2023, Southend City Council approved a motion to protect and expand the city’s tree population. The motion proposed crucial updates to the city’s tree policy, including the introduction of a comprehensive methodology toolbox, the formation of a scrutiny working party, and a commitment to plant thousands of new trees across the city. However, despite unanimous support in the chamber, the motion has since been rejected by the previous Conservative administration, leaving all aspects of it unimplemented.
“The cabinet’s decision to let this vital motion fall into the abyss is a huge disservice to our city.
Ironically, everyone initially approved it, yet no action has been taken to protect and preserve our trees.”
Cllr Richard Longstaff, Leigh Ward
Southend’s tree population, which is currently estimated at 29,000, is under increasing threat. Around 300 trees are felled each year, some of which could be saved with better management practices. The city’s diminishing tree canopy cover is of particular concern, as it takes decades for newly planted trees to reach maturity. To restore the tree canopy to a healthier level of 17%, Southend would need to plant approximately 12,000 trees—a task that would take over a century if only 100 trees are planted annually.
“We are losing so many mature trees for various reasons and they can’t be simply replaced by saplings. At this rate of removal, it will take 120 years to reach our target of 17%.”
“We need to plant thousands of trees now for future generations to benefit, especially as climate change continues to accelerate extreme weather and heatwaves, that are a critical risk to health and wellbeing of Southend’s residents.”
The motion also highlighted the need for a proactive response to tree diseases, calling for the council to collaborate with Defra’s Forest Research to ensure that any suspected cases are thoroughly investigated through lab testing. The council further called for clarity regarding tree removal decisions, citing concerns about trees being felled for vague reasons such as “incompatibility with highways.”
Councillor Longstaff is now urging Southend to take bold steps to protect its tree canopy cover and green spaces. The motion proposes entering into a collaborative Knowledge Transfer Partnership with specialist institutions such as Anglia Ruskin University’s Global Sustainability Institute and Writtle College. This partnership would help develop a best-practice methodology toolbox for managing the city’s trees, ensuring that tree removal is only used as a last resort.
The Green Party’s motion is also calling for the creation of an interactive, publicly accessible map to identify potential tree-planting locations and for all mature trees on the removal list to be subject to democratic debate at a relevant committee or working party.
“This is a moment for Southend to become a trailblazer in urban tree preservation, by taking a new approach and collaborating with key partners, we can secure a greener future for our city.”
– ENDS –