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Shepherds Hill Common is a council-owned
countryside site in Haslemere. The council is duty-bound to ensure
that trees under its’ responsibility do not present an undue
risk to people and property. This duty is discharged through the
undertaking of regular formal inspections of those council-owned
trees which have potential to cause harm or damage in the event of
failure.
The works included within this contract were identified during
formal inspections as being necessary to reduce the risk presented
by trees at Shepherds Hill Common. Their completion will ensure
that the council complies with its legal obligations in respect of
tree risk management.
The value of this contract will be fixed.

Reasons for the decision

To enable the council to fulfil its’
legal obligation to manage, and if necessary reduce, the risk to
people and property presented by council-owned trees. This work
will protect the council’s risk of litigation from
foreseeable tree failure.

Alternative options considered

To not carry out the tree safety works. If
this option were taken, there would be an increased risk of harm
being caused to people or property from foreseeable failure of
council-owned trees on Shepherds Hill Common. If tree failure were
to occur due to features which would have been apparent at
inspection, the council would be exposed to the risk of litigation
for any harm or damage caused.