The Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, to discuss updates on the council's green spaces review and its tree and woodland strategy. The committee will also consider its work programme for the upcoming year.

Supporting Nature in our Green Spaces Review

The committee is set to receive an update on the Supporting Nature in our Green Spaces Review. This review has involved gathering feedback from the public through a Community Conversation and conducting Pollinator Trials in 2025. The report will outline the findings from this engagement, highlighting strong public support for changes to current grounds maintenance practices to improve biodiversity and support nature recovery. It will also detail the next steps in the review process, which aims to develop a new operating model for grounds maintenance and introduce new maintenance regimes for implementation in 2027/28. The committee is asked to note the results of the community engagement and provide feedback on the proposed next steps and key outcomes of the review.

Tree and Woodland Strategy Update 2026

An update on the development of a revised Tree and Woodland Strategy for 2026-2036 is also scheduled for discussion. The draft strategy aims to enrich Northumberland's landscapes by strengthening the quality, quantity, resilience and diversity of our trees and woodlands, creating a greener, safer county for current and future generations. The report will inform the committee of the progress made, including the focus on proactive approaches to tree inspections and work that improves safety. It will also highlight the challenges in managing tree risks in Northumberland and the measures being taken to improve risk management. Committee members will have the opportunity to comment on the draft strategy and offer suggestions before it is considered by Cabinet.

Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Monitoring Report

The committee will consider its work programme for the 2025/26 council year. This includes reviewing the committee's terms of reference, cabinet member responsibilities within its remit, and items scheduled for future meetings. The report will also summarise the committee's activities from the previous year, detailing topics that have been looked into, such as highways maintenance, the North East Local Transport Plan, and the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service's performance.