Present: Helen McIlroy, Isabel Oleary, Paul Selby, Woll Newall

Observers: None

Minutes: The minutes of the last committee meeting (27/7/26) were agreed as a true and accurate record.

Matters arising (if not on the agenda)

1) Street Tree Planting Updates

Isabel reported that most of the Burngreave locations have not been not approved, with only 5 locations approved and possibly 2 more! In Jordanthorpe, 3 locations were approved in grass, and in Low Edges, 2 locations were approved in tarmac. Paul suggested focusing on the approved locations rather than adding more, as there would be approximately £6,000 left over from the budget. The group agreed to proceed with planting at the confirmed locations to meet the winter planting timeline.

Paul noted that trees planted in grass have struggled more in the first year due to competition from grass roots. One key supporter at the Nissa shop is now selling the business, but Greener Greenhill might take on the community side of the project and help with watering those trees. It was agreed to proceed with the 10 locations, with approximately £10,000 remaining in the budget, and Isabel will confirm the locations with Carl while requesting the updated species list from the limited selection of 15 trees.

We discussed donating some remaining money to Nicola Gilbert’s project for tree planting locations. Isabel reported that around 14 locations around schools in Burngreave had been pre-approved in Nicola’s project, with Nicola planning to plant 7 trees in Burngreave and 7 in Bents Green. Apparently Nicola is trying to secure trees at the old price, which Carl indicated might not be possible, and the current crowdfunding for Nicola’s project has only raised about £2,900 of a £9,100 target.

It was agreed to contact Nicola before making a final funding decision, to clarify how much additional funding would be needed and making it clear that the funds from STAG must be used for tree planting in Burngreave and not Bents Green..

2) CIP Roads Project Updates

Paul reported on a meeting regarding issues with the CIP roads project and St. Ronan’s Road, where proper agreed procedures were not followed. The committee discussed how SCC’s initial reaction demonstrated they hadn’t learned from previous lessons, and Paul expressed concern that the partnership group wasn’t following the Street Tree strategy in multiple areas. Paul mentioned that CIP meetings are expected to resume in October, and he reported progress on Sheldon Road where the council is addressing pavement issues following a maladministration case brought by someone who had an accident on the pavement.

3) STAG Public Facebook Group Decision

The committee discussed the implications following the recent members’ vote on the STAG Public Facebook Group not being handed over to STAG, and whether as STAG’s trustees the committee would be required to take action against STAG members who have taken unauthorised ownership of this STAG asset. These members have failed to follow the responsibilities they have as members as laid out in the constitution, and also failed in their duties as trustee committee members when they did not hand the asset over on leaving the committee. Concern was expressed about the potential negative impact on STAG’s reputation of making any formal moves. It was decided to not take any formal action at this time.

4) Street Tree Campaign Archive

The archive will include both digital and physical items. Helen agreed to organize the removal process for items currently displayed in the town hall entrance and to follow up with Dan Whittaker about the display space. 

5) Stag Organization Future Planning

The future of STAG was discussed and it was agreed to reach out to members for new volunteers who have the enthusiasm to take it forward into future years, before making a decision on whether it is viable for STAG to continue. An email will be sent to members explaining that STAG has fundamentally changed due to losing its key asset (the STAG Public Facebook Group), and the implications of the long-term lack of member interest. Even though the last 2 committees have started to make STAG active, with various new projects, member interest remains poor. The committee agreed this approach would give members an opportunity to continue STAG rather than the committee making an arbitrary decision to close it. Woll and Isabel offered to help draft the communication to members.

AOB

Actions

Helen

• Attend the visit to the Sheffield Council archive on Friday next week and write a report afterwards.
• Contact Dan Whittaker again regarding the physical archive display in the town hall.

Isabel

• Confirm the 10 approved street tree planting locations with Carl and request the species list.
• Contact Nicola Gilbert to clarify how much money she needs and whether any additional STAG funds would be used for more tree locations in Burngreave.
• Time the next newsletter to coincide with the confirmation of the tree planting order and the resolution of the remaining funds.

Woll

• Write a draft email to STAG members appealing for new co-optees/members with the enthusiasm to take the organization forward.

Next Meeting

Thursday, 8th October at 7:30pm.