Initial response to the report following the Independent Inquiry into the Street Tree Dispute

Statement on behalf of Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council Kate Josephs and Leader of Sheffield City Council Terry Fox:

This morning, Sir Mark Lowcock, Chair of the Independent Inquiry into the Street Tree Dispute, published his report. We welcome the publication of the report and thank Sir Mark and his team for their efforts and diligence in producing a detailed, comprehensive report that will support truth and reconciliation and the continued healing of the city after this difficult and damaging period in our city’s recent past.

As per the terms of reference, Sheffield City Council received a copy of the report at the same time as it was issued to the public. We will now take some time to read and digest the findings of the report and will respond to the findings and recommendations made in due course.

The council has already acknowledged that it got many things wrong in the handling of the street trees dispute, and we wish to reiterate our previous apologies for our failings.   We have taken huge steps already to ensure past mistakes are not repeated and we hope the release of this report will further help us to learn lessons as we move forward from the dispute.

We are committed to doing better in the future, to ensure that we are an open, honest and collaborative organisation, as we continue our work with our partners and with the people and communities of Sheffield to create the successful, thriving and inclusive city that we all aspire to.

The full report can be found here: Independent Inquiry into the Street Trees Dispute | Sheffield City Council