DEB's resist changes to Entrusts guideline changes on street trees
In recent years it has become increasingly difficult to find sources of public funding, in particular when the Landfill Communities Fund changed the criteria under which we had previously been funded. Historically this fund had been a major supporter of the work that we do, with several of the DEB's ( fundholding distributive environmental bodies) funding street tree projects on more than one occasion.
In 2005 it was decided that the street did not represent a public amenity and therefore any such tree planting would no longer be supported. We felt that this ran contrary to the idea of liveability of cities, of improving public spaces, for all who use them and so set about getting this decision overturned.
Thankfully Entrust the regulators of the fund reversed the decision in 2010, we were then faced by a subsequent problem whereby DEB's were reluctant to change back their criteria on the basis that their funds are over subscribed and the mistaken belief that the provision of street trees is a statutory obligation.
We are currently trying to address this continuing funding gap and have recently enlisted the help of The Tree Council with an approach to The Treasury. We are currently awaiting a response.