See answers to previous information requests

Follow on request from WBCIR:16485
Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AF which is registered at the Land Registry. This title is affected by a Tree Protection Order (TPO) with reference 1909/2022 made by Wokingham District Council (the council) on 16 November 2022.

Having carefully considered the Council's response to our request for information, there are a number of points where the response is unclear or where our client requires further information. The further information requested is set out below. Please regard our request as being made in accordance with Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and/or Regulation 5 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) (as the case may be).

1. Unregistered Land
We asked the Council to confirm what steps were taken, in relation to the unregistered land affected by the TPO, to ascertain who is a "person interested" in this land and the steps taken to bring the TPO to of their attention.
The Council in its response confirmed that the information regarding persons interested in the land affected by the TPO came from the Land Registry and from information provided in response to requisitions for information served by the Council. We have reviewed the information provided and none of it relates to the unregistered land
Please confirm whether the Council put up any notices on (or near) the unregistered land in to bring the TPO to the attention of anyone who might be a "person interested" in this land.
The Council did not put up any notice on or near the unregistered land. This is a small portion of the land in the norther corner of the TPO, (please see attached map).

2. Requisitions for information
We note that your responses included a Requisition for Information completed by the University College of Estate Management. Also included was a Requisition for Information addressed to the University of Reading, but which is not completed.
Please confirm whether the University of Reading returned a completed Requisition for Information to the Council and, if so, please provide us with a copy.
The Council did not receive a completed Requisition form from the University of Reading.

3. Resolution / Authority
In our letter, we requested evidence by way of a copy of the resolution or other form of authority, together with any supporting officer reports and communication submitted to the Director of Place and Growth, under which the TPO was authorised to be made and for which Chris Hannington was given delegated authority to make the TPO.
The Council's responded to our request in two parts. The first part of the Council's refers to:
'The following decision line taken from the minutes of the ‘TPO prioritisation and confirmation’ meeting that relates to the meeting’s decision to TPO. Decision line – ‘Expediency high for many trees, especially in houses app 222088. Amenity moderated from roads, high for ecology and rarity of trees, veterans! CH and KN area on all.’ For clarity, ‘CH’ refers to the Trees and Landscape Team Manager, and ‘KN’ refers to the Snr. Tree Officer.'
a) We have been unable to locate the agenda, reports, or minutes of this meeting from the information provided. Please provide a link to those documents or otherwise please confirm the name of the committee, working group or other body who held the meeting referred to and the date the meeting took place
b) In the second part of the Council's response, it referred to a document titled 'Development Management – Delegated Authority' dated 25 January 2023 (the Delegated Authority), a copy of which was enclosed with the response. The Delegated Authority provided confirms that 'making of Tree Preservation Order' is delegated to 'Development Management and Delivery Operational Leads and Team Managers'. We note that Chris Hannington is a "Tree and Landscape Manager", please confirm whether this role is a Development Management and Delivery Operational Lead or Team Manager for the purposes of the Delegated Authority
c) Furthermore, we note that the Delegated Authority provided is dated 25 January 2023; however, the TPO was made on 16 November 2022. Please confirm whether an earlier delegated authority was in place at the time the TPO was made and, if so, please provide a copy.
a) Name of the group was “TPO Prioritisation and Review”, meeting date 19.10.2022
b) Mr Hannington is a Team Manager in the Place and Growth Directorate under the director from whom this authority is delegated.
c) A copy of the Delegated Authority dated July 2021 is attached for your reference.

4. Ancient and Veteran Trees
In our letter, we asked the Council to provide any evidence it holds relates to any trees on the Property, which are believed to be ancient or veteran. The Council's response refers to 'the Ancient Tree inventory'. We assume, from the Council's response, that other than the information contained in the Ancient Tree Inventory, the Council holds no evidence or other information relating the existence of ancient or veteran trees on the Property. Please confirm whether this is the case.
In addition to the Ancient Tree Inventory the Council had access to tree information from the Wokingham District Veteran Tree Association which the Council partnered in their survey of the borough. This information can be found on the WDVTA website at WDVTA - Wokingham District Veteran Tree Association Survey Map - https://www.wdvta.org.uk/WDVTS/