GREENFINGERED residents are urged to join talks about preserving the borough's trees as well as plans for new trees to improve communities.

Southend Council is eager to hear from residents and interested groups about proposals for tree cover and management across the borough for the next 10 years.

The consultation is now live and will run until Friday October 9, and the council is seeking views on the draft tree plans, which include the current planted trees, how the borough's trees are managed, inspected and maintained, and also proposals for future enhancements over the coming years.

The draft plans can be found on the Your Say Southend webpage and residents and interested groups are being urged to take a look at the document and then fill out the accompanying survey.

Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “Southend, although boasting seven Green Flag parks, is generally a very urbanised area, and managing our trees in such an environment raises many issues and considerations, so it is essential that we have tip-top and effective management of our tree population. We all know how important trees are to our own lives by providing clean air for us to breathe, but their benefits for fauna and wildlife habitats are also crucial.

“We know local people, quite rightly, want to be involved in what is a key council policy, and I am very keen for them to have their say to help us move Southend into a greener future. We want them to think as well about how they can plant trees in their own gardens so that together we create a tree canopy that is balanced and the best for the Borough.”

To view the consultation, visit https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/tree-policy-consultation