Council to pay for tree felling

STOCKTON Heath Parish Council has agreed to meet the £4,500 cost of felling dangerous trees at Ackers Pit – despite an objection from one member.
Warrington Anglers Association has bought the fishing rights at the pond and councillors were told part of the deal was that the anglers had agreed to maintain the trees.
But now it had been discovered that 20 trees were dead or dying and the anglers had asked for a one-off contribution towards the cost.
Coun Liz Jewkes said: “I object to this. If they agreed to this I don’t see why public funds should be used.”
It was a matter of principle, she said, warning that if the council gave extra money they would “leave themselves open” to more requests for extra money in future years.
Coun Jewkes said she had experience of contracts of the type involved.
“We have to be careful what we do with public money. We seem to have entered into a contract with them that is not clear.”
The council agreed that Coun Jewkes should examine the contract and check what was classed as “maintenance.”
Coun Graham Roughsedge said that if a tree fell down, the parish council would be responsible for any damage. Clerk Peter Briggs confirmed the council had public liability insurance for the site.
Members agreed to meet the cost of the work – subject to a number of conditions including one that there should be no damage caused to footpaths.