Volunteer Community Tree Champions
Burnham Parish Council is seeking to appoint one or more volunteer Community Tree Champions to play an active role in helping to conserve and enhance local trees, and to increase the Council’s capacity to protect existing trees and develop new tree planting opportunities in the Parish.
The post-holder(s) would work with the Council to act as local ‘eyes and ears’ on tree matters, help to identify new sites, gather information, and help support the wider community in protecting trees.
The role is an unpaid voluntary role. It is flexible around the availability and interests of the successful candidate(s). No formal training or professional tree-management experience is required. Community Tree Champions to do not have enforcement powers, do not directly assess tree safety hazards, and do not carry out tree safety or maintenance work.
Any necessary training will be provided, and reasonable expenses arising directly from the role may be covered as agreed on a case-by-case basis.
Initial outline job description (flexible and to be negotiated)
1. To raise any concerns or suggestions about trees on Council land.
2. To suggest trees in the Parish for consideration for Tree Preservation Orders.
3. To suggests areas in the parish for tree planting, and to help implement this.
4. To comment on the impact of any major planning applications on local trees.
5. To raise community awareness of trees and related matters, such as the Parish Council’s Memorial Tree Scheme.
Written reports and attendance at meetings would not be expected, although there would be opportunities to report to meetings, or to join Council Working Groups (such as the ‘Eco group’, or the Pond Group) if desired.
How to apply
To apply, or if you would like to arrange an informal conversation about the post, please email clerk@burnhamparish.gov.uk. If applying for the role please include an explanation of your interest and any relevant experience – maximum equivalent of one side of A4. Please do not send CVs. There is no deadline; applications will be considered as received, and multiple tree champions may be appointed.
