[Announce] Fwd: This one

[Carina O'Reilly]

Again, Rod, this is not the place for a political bun fight.

All the best,
Carina

On Thu, Feb 12, 2015 at 3:20 PM, Rod Cantrill <
rcantrill at millingtonadvisory.com> wrote:

>  Dear Carina
>
>  Thanks for this - the council always has had difficult choices to make
> regarding how it prioritises it resources.  Funding was just as tight in
> 2012 as it is now - if I recall the council found savings of approximately
> £1.4m in that year.
>
>  It is a shame you view it as a political point - that is not something I
> have sort to do.  The issue should be about whether the city council places
> importance on its green open spaces and the amenity value of the trees on
> them.  Something that makes the city unique.  In 2012 - I was convinced by
> the arguments put forward by residents and other stakeholders including
> yourself that the solution was to preserve the trees.  I don't see what the
> difference is now as in my view their amenity value has not changed.
>
>  Regards
>
>  R
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 12 Feb 2015, at 14:47, Carina O'Reilly <carinaoreilly at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>   Dear all,
>
>  The solution found by Cllr Cantrill was to set aside a large amount of
> money to cover the costs of the claims against the council and any works
> needed. Grateful as we all were for that, it's no longer an option for the
> council due to government funding cuts that are forcing us to make £1.6
> million worth of cuts to services every year - as Cllr Cantrill knows
> perfectly well.
>
>  Having defended myself, I do think that this is a most inappropriate
> place to make political points, and I would hope that we can restrict
> ourselves in future to leaflets which residents can choose to read or bin.
>
>  All the very best,
> Cllr Carina O'Reilly
> Executive Councillor for the City Centre and Public Places
> Ward Councillor Arbury
>
>  carinaoreilly at gmail.com
>
> On Thu, Feb 12, 2015 at 9:28 AM, Rod Cantrill <
> rcantrill at millingtonadvisory.com> wrote:
>
>> Liz
>>
>> Thanks for the mail
>>
>> I strongly object to the action proposed by the council - the solution we
>> eventually found for the trees on the other side of the park (when I was
>> the Executive Cllr) - ensured that the amenity value of the trees was
>> preserved on a key green space within the city
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Rod Cantrill
>>
>>
>> Cllr Rod Cantrill
>> Ward Councillor Newnham
>> Cambridge City Council
>> Tel: +44 7919103865
>> E-mail: rcantrill at millingtonadvisory.com
>> www.newnhamlibdems.mycouncillor.org.uk
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: announce [mailto:announce-bounces at soscambridge.org.uk] On Behalf
>> Of liz Fenton
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 11:29 PM
>> To: announce at soscambridge.org.uk
>> Subject: [Announce] Fwd: This one
>>
>> *TREES IN ALEXANDRA GARDENS *
>>
>>
>>  Insurance companies claim that some of the trees in Alexandra Gardens
>> are causing cracks in houses near to the park. The council is recommending
>> major tree works (chop off 70%), to mitigate its liability.
>>
>>
>> This will be a familiar story to many local residents who in 2010
>> campaigned successfully, to protect three of the plane trees facing Carlyle
>> Road that were targeted for exactly the same reasons. Public opposition was
>> so overwhelming that the council withdrew is proposal to fell/heavily prune
>> the trees.
>>
>>
>> Alexandra Gardens is defined by the twenty one plane trees that grace its
>> front and back edges. The 110 year old trees have an collective amenity and
>> asset value of over £3.25 million. Nine trees which shelter the play area
>> for small children are implicated.
>>
>>
>> Heavy crown reduction is not without risk; the trees become more
>> vulnerable to infection and it can shorten their life expectancy. While
>> pollarding may be suitable for street trees it is inappropriate for trees
>> in a park setting where the natural expectation is for them to have
>> branches.
>>
>>
>> The appalling visual impact of branchless trees in Alexandra Gardens
>> would be unavoidable from every aspect. It would devastate the appearance
>> of the park as a whole, destroy the cohesive beauty of the avenue and
>> reduce the value of each cut tree by an average of £92,000!
>>
>>
>> The overall loss of asset value is far greater than the estimated budget
>> shortfall to keep the trees intact.
>>
>>
>> There is to be a 'drop-in' / surgery / meeting on Monday 16th February,
>> 3.30-7.30pm at St. Luke's Church Centre (main church space). Alistair
>> Wilson, Joanna Davies (Interim Tree Officer), councillor Carina O’Reilly
>> and councillor Mike Todd-Jones will all be there to discuss this issue and
>> answer questions.
>>
>>
>> The public consultation period ends on 18th February, it is vitally
>> important that people write to object to this irrevocably damaging and
>> short sighted recommendation before then. A strong response is needed if
>> these trees are to stand a chance.
>>
>>
>> Write to Green Spaces Manager Alistair Wilson
>> Alistair.Wilson at cambridge.gov.
>> uk and Executive Councillor Carina O’Reilly carinaoreilly at gmail.com.
>>
>>
>> The council’s report can be found on the website under Tree Work.
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>
>