A COUNCIL is urging people to have their say on the future of trees in their communities.

Durham County Council is seeking views on its proposed tree management policy which sets out how it will maintain and manage trees.

This includes how the authority responds when complaints or reports are received regarding trees the council is responsible for; the criteria for prioritising work and the circumstances when work will or will not be carried out; and the enforcement powers the council can use relating to the control of trees on private land.

Andrew Jackson, technical support manager at Durham County Council, said: “It is important that we have an up to date tree management policy which clearly sets out how we will manage trees in the county.

“The policy will, among other things, make clear how we will manage trees under our control, how we will respond to concerns about trees which pose a safety risk and the action we can take in relation to trees on private land.”

A consultation is running until Thursday, March 13, and all views on the proposed policy will be taken into account before it is finalised.

For more information or to respond online visit durham.gov.uk/consultation

Alternatively, write to Communications, Marketing and Information, Durham County Council, Neighbourhood Services, Projects and Business Services, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UQ.