UPDATE TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2024
The review of the investigation of the removal of palm trees from the Italian Gardens will now be discussed at Torbay Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board on the 10 April 2024.
This is so a full response can be provided to the questions that have been submitted that make up the key lines of enquiry. It will also enable the Board Members an opportunity to consider the answers received to these questions.
------
A review of the investigation into the removal of palm trees from the Italian Gardens, Torquay, will be taken to our Overview & Scrutiny Board on 13 March 2024.
In December 2023, 40 palm trees were removed from the Italian Gardens. The removal was carried out by our wholly owned company, SWISCo. The palm removal was included in the first phase of an ongoing landscaping scheme at the Italian Gardens. The scheme intends to bring about a rejuvenated formal garden, supporting Torquay and the wider area’s quality of green spaces.
The palms removed were Cordyline Australis (Cabbage Palm) with a lifespan of 50-70 years in UK horticultural settings and, while they tolerate salty air, the coastal setting is not ideal for the palms to thrive. Most of the palms removed were around 50 years old and displaying signs of advanced decline, evident by the presence of die-back in the top of the palm.
The removal of the trees raised significant concern from local people, visitors, and the media. Consequently, our Chief Executive was asked to review the circumstances that led to the works being carried out. The review will determine if and how the actions were approved and identify any issues with the controls in place at the time. Moving forward, the review will allow us to make recommendations on how internal processes can be improved for future initiatives.
Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place, Culture & Events and Parking for Torbay Council, said; “The review is a welcome response to the concerns raised following the removal of the palms.
"Whilst the revised planting scheme offers a long-term solution to this key public space in Torbay, the initial removal of the palms was not planned or communicated to the expected standard.
"The review will allow us to improve our processes for similar schemes in the future."
To read the report on the review please visit our Overview & Scrutiny Board webpages and open the agenda reports pack.
A fly through of the landscaping is available on You Tube - Italian Gardens Concept.
For more information, and to find links to updates on progress at the Italian Gardens, visit the SWISCo Italian Gardens pages.
We would like to thank people for their patience as we review our process, and while improvements to the garden take place.
News archive
- December 2024 (3)
- November 2024 (27)
- October 2024 (21)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)