COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2025

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor C. Brady

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the review of the 'Living with Trees' policy, and to confirm whether a non-statutory public consultation will take place as part of this review, including the expected timeline for same.

REPLY:

The current 'Living with Trees' policy document covers the period 2021 to 2026 and is due to be reviewed by the Environment, Public Realm and Climate Change SPC and will be replaced in 2026.  The review is due to commence at the September 2025 SPC meeting with the presentation of an appraisal of the current plan and performance under it with regard to the implementation of the three year maintenance plans and annual tree planting plans.  The review will identify aspects of the policy which need to be considered for possible amendment in light of issues that have arisen during the lifetime of the current policy.  It will also consider areas where the policy may need to be further developed, in relation to climate action and biodiversity for example.  It is proposed that non-statutory public consultation will commence directly after the September SPC meeting and will run for a four week period with a report on the consultation then presented to the November SPC meeting.  It is hoped that a draft of the new policy will be ready for presentation to the February 2026 SPC meeting.