THE CHARITY KNOWN AS COBTREE MANOR ESTATE

COBTREE MANOR ESTATE CHARITY COMMITTEE

26 APRIL 2010

REPORT OF THE COBTREE OFFICER

Report Prepared by: Brian Latimer – Cobtree Officer

1.                           COBTREE MANOR ESTATE – ADDITIONAL TREE WORKS

1.1                        Issue for Decision

1.1.1                   To consider a request for additional funding to carryout tree works at the Cobtree Manor Park.

1.2                        Recommendation of the Cobtree Officer

1.2.1                   It is recommended that the additional sum of £6,000 be included in the estimates for the current financial year to allow extra tree works to be carried out at the Cobtree Manor Park.

1.3                        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1                   A tree condition survey was carried out in the Cobtree Manor Park during last summer; it identified a number of trees which were either dead or badly diseased and which require attention in the short, rather than longer, term.

1.3.2                   Officers have tried to absorb the additional cost within the general maintenance budget.  However, in view of the additional works being carried out generally and the higher standards of maintenance being sought following the appointment of the Park Ranger, this has not proved possible.

1.3.3                   Three quotations for the necessary works were obtained from tree specialists with the lowest being in the following sums:

Boundary tree works       £1,200
Parkland tree works         £2,300

These figures need to be updated and it is recommended that a sum of £4,000 be made available.

1.3.4                   In addition to the identified tree works there are a number of stumps remaining from previously fallen trees, and indeed the stumps which will remain following the above works.  It is estimated that the stump grinding will cost in the region of between £6,000 and £8,000.  This work is not urgent, although should be undertaken to improve the appearance of the Park in general.  It is recommended that the work be phased and that an additional sum of £2,000 be made available in the current and future financial years until the work is completed.

1.4                        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1                   The alternative course of action is to not make the funding available.  This is not recommended at the trees works will become urgent and the general safety of the public may be compromised.

1.5                        Impact on Charity Objects

1.5.1                   There is a potential impact on the objects of the Charity in that the general public may nee to be excluded from parts of the park on safety grounds.

1.6                        Risk Management

1.6.1                   The tree survey was undertaken as part of the general risk management process for the park.

1.7                        Other Implications

1.7.1                            

1.7.2                   No specific funding has been identified in this year’s estimates to carry out the required tree works. The addition of a budget to cover these works will mean a reduction in the resources available at year end to contribute to the repayment of the Charity’s liability to Maidstone Borough Council.

1.7.3                   The charity has a legal obligation to ensure that the Park is safe for the public to visit.

1.7.4                   Further quotes will be obtained to ensure that the work is priced as competitively as possible.

Background Documents