Document Tiny Forests Update

The Committee was given an update on the Tiny Forests project.

Members recalled that approval was given by the Corporate Management Committee in June 2024 to be included in a partnership bid to the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, alongside the lead applicants Spelthorne Borough Council and the other partner, Earthwatch Europe.

The funding bid was for the creation of Tiny Forests in Runnymede.  These were groupings of up to 600 trees planted in an area of approximately 0.49 hectares.  Additional trees in the form of Standards, Feathers and Whips for smaller planting arrangements could also be bid for.

Unfortunately, Officers were advised on 9 September 2024 by Spelthorne Borough Council that the bid had been unsuccessful.  The reasons for this were awaited following a request for feedback, from which lessons could be learned for future projects.

Officers hoped to maintain the positive relationship with Earthwatch Europe that had been established should such funding opportunities arise in the future.

The Committee expressed its disappointment and hoped that other projects would be forthcoming which would have positive benefits for the environment, the Climate Change and Health and Wellbeing strategies.

The report was duly noted.