Dear supporters Much has been happening in the last month since seven HEALTHY street trees were felled in a shock night raid, by Cllr Bryan Lodge of Sheffield City Council. What has become clear from this, is that the political process in Labour run Sheffield is completely stagnant. This stagnancy has played a significant role in the prevention of any REAL progress in the last 19mos. Progress with regards to reviewing the highly questionable mass felling programme of HEALTHY street trees, by Amey and the Streets Ahead 2.2 billion PFI programme. This was aptly illustrated by a recent comment in the STAG forum on Facebook: "MC alerted us to the problems for Cllrs around defying their Labour whip and leaders of the council. If our Cllrs cannot vote against leadership decisions without dire consequences for themselves, what does that mean exactly for this group as we try to bring about changes in policy around tree felling?” This means that the Tree Strategy is the BEST opportunity we have to bring about positive change in policy, plans & practice. In fact, it is the ONLY opportunity we are likely to have for at least five years from the date formally adopted. The BEST way to influence the sub-strategy for highway trees, is by ensuring that the main parent strategy contains adequate policies, plans, protocols, methods and authorised techniques. The PARENT strategy should include: Flexi-Pave, Alternative Highway SPECIFICATIONS, Valuations of Ecosystem Benefits, Maintenance of Canopy Cover and Maintenance of Ecosystem Benefits. A contact number should also be included for the person responsible for monitoring non-compliance with NJUG regulations. for work in proximity to trees. For more detailed help and guidance on filling in the Tree Strategy, have a look at the petition update for 27th October 2016 here: http://bit.ly/2hxiRjV As always, thank you to everyone for your continued commitment and support. And welcome also to the 2500 new members of STAG who have joined us since the upsetting events of Rustlings Road on 17th November 2016. We look forward to the input of all of this new energy and enthusiasm in taking this campaign to the next level. Again, the best way to keep yourself up to date with the city wide tree campaign, is by joining the STAG forum on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2fpnmzS . Joining takes a matter of minutes and you can remain anonymous if you need to, by using a pseudonym. There is really no excuse not to GET INVOLVED! An extension was granted to fill in the Tree Strategy consultation, so we now have until 16th December 2016. Get your comments in today! http://bit.ly/2fio7Ju In Solidarity SORT