\n An independent report by law firm VWV investigated formal complaints made by four residents who\u00a0faced injunction proceedings for their part in protests to stop the felling of thousands of street trees. Another nine protesters gave undertakings to the council as a result of being targeted for legal action.\n<\/p>\n
\n The report said that all the protests and campaigning activity were legal.\n<\/p>\n
\n WANT MORE ON THIS STORY?\u00a0<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \n A meeting of the council\u2019s finance and performance policy committee earlier this month\u00a0heard from chief operating officer Claire Taylor that all the recommendations and actions proposed by the VWV report have been fully accepted.\n <\/p>\n \n Committee chair Coun Zahira Naz said: \u201cBefore we begin discussing the report formally, I want to acknowledge the seriousness of what we are about to consider.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThis investigation lays bare a difficult and painful chapter in the council\u2019s recent history. It confirms what many residents have long felt during the street trees dispute, that mistakes were made that had a lasting impact on individuals and trust in this council.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe way legal action was taken and how complaints were handled did not meet the standards that the public rightly expect from public bodies. As chair of the finance committee, I recognise that this is not just about historic decisions, it\u2019s also about how we manage risk, ensure oversight and build the culture of transparency and accountability moving forward.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe reputational, financial and human cost of poor decision-making is clear. This report makes it clear that simply an apology is not enough \u2013 the apology must be sincere,\u00a0personal and followed by meaningful change.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Coun Naz thanked the complainants who pursued the issue \u201cwith courage and persistence\u201d and thanked VWV for their \u201cclear and frank\u201d findings.\n<\/p>\n \n She added: \u201cIt is now on us as councillors, officers and leaders to demonstrate that we listened, understood and are committed to doing better.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Coun Naz welcomed the report\u2019s findings and said that a serious discussion must take place to strengthen the council and rebuild public confidence.\n<\/p>\n \n The issue will also be discussed by the strategy and resources committee in September. It will hear an update on the apology-making process.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n The report said that the council decided in 2017 to threaten protesters they considered \u201cthe main protagonists\u201d with high court action unless they gave wide-ranging undertakings that they would not take part in direct action to stop the tree-felling programme.\n<\/p>\n \n The four complained in 2021 when questions to the council revealed further information.\n<\/p>\n