Content

13.1

The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services
submitted a report providing the Committee with an update on work
carried out by a task and finish group to develop wording and
design and commission the manufacture of a plaque to acknowledge
the significance of the Street Trees Campaign and the wrongs
committed by the Council in
Sheffield.

 

 

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) note at the
Extraordinary Meeting (EGM) on 10th May 2023 the Council passed a
motion requesting the Committee install a plaque in the entrance of
the Town Hall;
 
(b) note and
thank the action taken by the Task and Finish group to agree the
wording to be used on the Street Tree Campaign Plaque (“the
Plaque”) and endorse the wording
recommended;
 
(c) note the
action taken by the Task and Finish group to commission the design
of the Plaque and endorse the design recommended;
 
(d) note the
action taken to commission the manufacture of the Plaque and
approve the recommended manufacturer; and
 
(e) note that as
the Town Hall is Grade I Listed the installation and location of
the Plaque will be subject to obtaining any necessary planning
consents.

 

 

13.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

13.3.1

The
recommendations in this report are made to recognise the
significant contribution of campaigners, residents, and community
partners in protecting Sheffield’s street trees. The
installation of the Street Tree Campaign Plaque at the Town Hall
serves as a lasting public acknowledgement of environmental
lobbying, activism, community engagement, and the lessons learned
from past Council actions.

 

 

13.3.2

The decision directly supports the Council Plan outcomes by
fostering community pride, promoting inclusion, and enhancing
Sheffield’s cultural and environmental landscape. The
collaborative development process, involving a diverse group of
stakeholders, ensures the Plaque authentically reflects the values
and aspirations of the city’s communities. This approach
aligns with the Council’s commitment to transparency,
partnership working, and continuous
improvement.

 

 

13.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

13.4.1

This process for the design and wording of the Plaque is an
alternative to the original plan of Sheffield City Council
developing the plaque internally. This was met with disappointment
from several campaigners who felt the creation of the plaque should
be a collaborative process including
campaigners.

 

 

13.4.2

Alternative Option 1: SCC develop the Plaque
internally.
The wording, design and creation would be managed by the Council
and not the volunteer task and finish
group.
 
This is rejected because the original plan was rejected by the
Street Tree Campaigners who feared the Plaque would be a tokenistic
gesture by the Council and not authentically represent the intended
meaning.