So, apparently we're now being told to await an 'Official Announcement' from the Council on this matter, but in a nutshell they're still insisting that the tree is dead, and that they are worried about falling branches. I'm still not buying it. It might have a few spots of woodworm on a few of the cut planes of the removed limbs, but that's about it.
The bulk of the tree is very much still in bloom, with a good spread of foliage, plenty of cones and resinous sap still oozing from the aforementioned cut planes, none of which is anything that you would be seeing in a dead tree.
I guess we shall have to see what they say next, but in the mean time, please keep sharing the petition. The more signatures we get, the better.
Many thanks for your help...