Minutes by: Andrew Read

1. Introduction

2. Financial update - John Tarlton.Just over £1500 funds available.

3. Actions from previous meeting

   1. Query re actions re Bedminster bridge – Angela remains on this case; one willow saved; question remains about where replacement trees will be planted – project created to track this.

   2. On-going concerns about bots/costs on TOB website.

   3. Stakes for guerrilla planting have been purchased, and some have been employed.

4. Project updates

• Join NCVO – VP chasing a response – significance of financial year timing? VP explained this is part of process of legitimising the BTF. CW suggested we make use of NCVO resources.

• Project management – plea for others to get involved with articulating who we are and what we do.

• Social media – positive decision to maintain the separate Tree Forum WhatsApp going.

• Pre-application involvement - Suggestion from MV that work with Design West could be effective – could this be a way of having a bigger influence? Design West are involved in pre-applications, and their comments are taken seriously – through association could this increase the Tree Forum’s leverage? Can we join the council mailing list for pre-applications?

• Establishing roles of tree champions – perhaps a discussion when more tree champions are present.

• Half-day meeting – lack of availability of locations, particularly at weekends – CW suggests postponing the half-day meeting until the autumn. JV suggests that tree walks are a good opportunity to share information and get buy-in.

• Trees of Bristol – ensure tree champions are registered. How?

• BTF website – CW in touch with Zoey O’Neill (Soto Digital) with expertise in Wordpress, potentially employing a budget of approx. £500 to refresh the site. ML volunteers her partner who may have some suggestions about how to refresh the BTF site, to discuss with VP over coffee this week – CW to share some notes with ML this week. JV happy to be involved in organising facilitation organisation of website. Working party identified to discuss changes/refreshing the website.

• BCC volunteering. Training date identified, 28^th May, 10:00-14:00, Blaise nursery. CW to poll Tree Champions to check availability – possibly 12 places available.

• Festival of Nature. We could put on some events to coincide with this – would be nice to do at least one walk – CW not available. Dates, 6-14 June. Volunteer to lead a tree walk? DJ would be interested to collaborate with Jenny Passey.  Good presence at this event.

• Private parks on ToB. Approximately 8 hectares, 543 trees identified in Clifton. BTF has invites to visit and take photos. DJ, MA , JT and CW to visit. (If visiting Cornwallis Crescent, please contact Stephanie first.)

• Tree give-away. JT update – 5 species, gave away a total of 2250 trees. 62 different tree recipients. Donated by Maelor Forest Nursery for free – can we email thanks. JV suggested it would be helpful to get some updates where over 50 trees have been received – photos of earlier plantings from ‘repeat offenders’.

• Tree sponsorships (T4S) – CW and JV working on getting BTF in promoting Trees for Streets. Handout/leaflet designed. Looking for funding for hi-vis vests (£100) - approved. Have had a first tree sponsorship event - need to continue to develop this.

• Tree walks – May walk, trial run of the T4S sponsorship promotion.

• BCC ecological emergency action plan – volunteer to write a review? JT to review and provide some concise comments.

• Transport department – VP to follow up. VP has met with Matt Bennett and has fed back on this.

• Local plan – no change since last November.

• Liaison with BCC parks staff. Concern that BTF has not had a response from comms. VP volunteers to liaise with Matt Bennett (BCC tree manager).

• Breaches of tree protection law – MA has established that BCC is not unique in terms of responding ineffectively to illegal tree work (from FOI responses across SW England). 

• Brislington Meadows – back with planners currently.

• Responses to planning applications - MA raising questions.

AOB

• Stephanie and CW need to arrange a meeting to discuss planning modules.

• VP applauds the range and quantity of projects currently in play.

• Next meeting – in June (TBC).