Dear All,

A lot has happened this week and most importantly the Trelawney trees are still standing tall !

On Monday 17th March, the police confirmed that Cornwall Council did not have an ecology report and stopped any felling that day. We believe that the Council had attempted to mislead the police and public with regard to the existence of this report and we have asked for the matter to be investigated.

The police convened a meeting with the Council that afternoon and raised concerns regarding communication and public confidence. 

We understand that more meetings were held on Tuesday and Wednesday after which Cllr Magowan posted a FB statement saying that the Council had confirmed that no return to site would be taking place this week as further review and planning takes place.

We are pleased that Cornwall Council are taking the time for further review and planning but this highlights the fact that things are not in order. We are continuing to question the proportionality of the Council's proposed action to fell three healthy trees and how this decision came about. We have repeatedly asked the Council to show us the evidence that justifies chopping down three healthy street trees that provide great amenity value to the environment and local community. To date, no documentation has been produced.

However, following requests for evidence of proportionality from Cllr Magowan and the police during these meetings, we understand that the Council will provide something by the end of the week. We are not sure what this 'something is but If it genuinely exists, it will be hard to understand why the Council has not shown it to us previously. 

We have stated that it needs to be in its original form, with no redactions and not a summary or 'fact sheet'. After Monday's attempts to mislead with regard to the ecology report, our trust and confidence in the Council's integrity is low. We expect more of our elected representatives.

We have also asked for time to review and respond to any new communications before any irretrievable damage is done to the trees.

Yesterday, as discussed on Monday, the police arranged a meeting with us next week. This will provide an opportunity to explain the backstory and lay out our concerns to an impartial body. The essential question is, how the proposed action has moved from pruning one root and installing a root barrier in 2022 to chopping down three healthy trees in 2025. How did this come about, where is the communication chain and the hard evidence to back it up?

We have written to the Council saying that unless the process is open and transparent, in line with its governance policy, it will fail to restore any public confidence.

We have also been told that no work will take place on Monday. 

We will continue to hold the Council to account with regard to the Trelawney trees.

Thank you all for your support!

Sent from Outlook for Android