Making Bristol a greener city
Local people could soon be enjoying a greener city thanks to the recommendations of the city council’s Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions.
At their meeting last week, members of the Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions fully endorsed the council’s draft Parks and Green Spaces Strategy and praised officers for their long-term vision which could see better provision of quality parks and green spaces in local neighbourhoods over a 20-year period.
Members of the Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions also consider a report on the key issues in relation to tree management in Bristol.
Members noted the draft Parks and Green Spaces strategy did not include specific reference to the city’s 100,000 tree population nor did the council currently have a tree strategy. They were however pleased with the tree management report as it gave them an opportunity to consider a number of options for the future of tree management – not just relating to trees in Bristol parks but also street trees in the city.
The Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions fully endorsed the key issues of the report, namely:
 | There should be improved maintenance of existing trees. |
| The frequency of that maintenance should be increased |
| There should be more street trees |
| Support for the ‘Trees for Bristol’ initiative – which is part of a national campaign to plant more trees |
| Backing for an ambitious programme of tree planting over a ten-year period, involving investment from the city council, sponsorship from local businesses, interested individuals and community organisations. |
In addition, members of the Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions had the option of recommending the planting of enough trees to replace those coming to the end of their natural life or seeking an expansion to the tree planting programme, which could see several thousands of trees planted over the next ten years. The Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions unanimously agreed to recommend the latter option.
Councillor Gary Hopkins, chair of the Joint Physical Environment and Quality of Life Scrutiny Commissions, said: ”Both these reports are good news for the city. We fully endorse what they’re aiming to achieve and will be recommending them to cabinet and full council next month. When it comes to ‘green’ issues we need to be bold and ambitious with our ideas and not be afraid to look to the long term future needs of our city and plan accordingly.”
Helen Hewitt, tel. 922 2646