The last 2 STAG Committees have worked hard reinvigorating STAG and ‘getting the basics right’, so that STAG is now in a much better place, with the stronger roots and trunk needed to grow forward positively.

Of particular importance have been the following:

• Improving the internal administration of STAG, including properly recording & publishing meeting minutes, making meetings more open, re-writing the constitution to make it a better fit (and giving members opportunities to initiate their own projects with the support of the Committee), and simplifying over-complex internal mechanisms etc.
• Activities related to STAG’s main purposes, eg:
  • Starting the STAG street tree-planting project.
  • Arranging the election by members of STAG representatives in the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership, to advocate for trees in this important forum, and raise the concerns of (and report back to) STAG members.
  • Creating the new STAG website to give an up-to-date and easy to use way for publicising STAG’s projects, publish minutes etc, and receive enquiries.
  • Initiating and organising an archive of materials related to the tree-felling protests.
  • Taking stewardship of the old historic STAG website that contains a unique and valuable record of all that happened during the protest campaigns.
  • Publishing regular newsletters to keep members informed of what’s been going on.

After all that happened during the protests and since, it’s clear that STAG still has an important role to play in keeping an eye on Sheffield City Council, while advocating for trees and pushing the Council to properly respond to the criticisms of it in the Lowcock Report. Unfortunately the Council is still too often failing in its approach to trees and communities. For example the way the Council has treated the current greenbelt protestors is a repetition of the same exclusionary and marginalising behaviour that tree-felling protestors experienced. Even with the Council’s actions related to street trees (which you might think it would take extreme care over, given the history) it is still sometimes failing to properly involve communities or follow mechanisms supposedly put in place after the Lowcock Report.

STAG has a continuing role to play with street tree-planting projects – raising funds, working with communities across the city, influencing, improving and providing help to the community funded street tree-planting process. There are also many other other possible activities that STAG could/should be doing.

Looking further ahead, the Streets Ahead PFI contract will be ending within 10 years. What will it be replaced with? There is a genuine risk that, in 10 years time, the Council will not fund the replacement of felled street trees, or the PFI will be replaced with something that does not respect Sheffield’s tree heritage. For all the flaws of the PFI contract, it does at least guarantee a replacement of felled trees, which is not something many other cities benefit from. STAG needs to start preparing and advocating for policies that properly respect Sheffield’s treescape.

Now that STAG is running more smoothly, it’s an ideal time for some new (and old) members to get more involved in helping out with the many activities that could be done. We would also welcome volunteers for co-option onto the Committee to get more input into our discussions. Maybe you are keen on educating communities about the benefits of trees, running tree-related talks or walks, keeping an eye on Sheffield Council, getting involved with community tree-planting and watering, or raising funds. There’s loads to do – please volunteer if at all possible!

STAG is now in a really positive position, giving a great opportunity for those who are keen to be involved in moving forward. However, it’s important to be realistic and say that without fresh volunteers in the next six months, with new ideas and enthusiasm, there is a genuine risk that STAG may have to fold. It would be a real shame if that happened, given all that we collectively fought for over the last 11 years and the real opportunities and need for STAG to be a strong force for good in Sheffield.

The Committee is looking forward to hearing from members with all the ideas you have for projects that you’d like to be involved in, and offering to help out if you can. 

Please get in touch to volunteer and help STAG grow forward,
From all of us on the STAG Committee, October 2026