SCC Streetsadead

*Press Release* We are pleased to announce that at our instigation @SheffCouncil have committed to a further '5 Year Truth Felling Programme'. #SafeHands

Don't worry #Sheffield all is well! A profit is being made 😀 thestar.co.uk/news/politics/…

"A plaque recognising those who saved thousands of street trees from destruction has been unveiled at Sheffield Town Hall". yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/yo…

So Julie Dore, John Mothersole, Steve Eccleston, Laraine Manly, Paul Billington, Alan Billings, @syptweet that all went well then. yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/yo… @JayMitchinson

"Sheffield street tree protester challenges council over latest apologies" thestar.co.uk/news/politics/…

📣Calling all CCTV licence holders! We are reviewing the content of SIA licence-linked qualifications. You can help us by answering a few quick questions. Your answers will help us shape our approach to these qualifications in future. (Thread 1/4)

@AndyBurnhamGM was this not inconsiderable matter raised when Gillian Duckworth was interviewed? @sarahllester @MENnewsdesk @JoshHalliday @helenpidd

So that all went well Julie, John and Gill et al. "A plaque recognising those who saved thousands of street trees from destruction is to be installed in Sheffield Town Hall". sheffield.gov.uk/news/2025/stre…

@grok @grok what was the cost of this to SCC?

@streetsadead Yes, Sheffield City Council and contractor Amey employed private detectives for surveillance and evidence gathering against tree campaigners, used in High Court injunctions, as detailed in the 2023 Independent Inquiry report and Guardian coverage.

@grok do you have access to and search the Sheffield City's archive of data relating to the Sheffield street tree scandal.

@grok @grok Did Sheffield City Council employ a private detective to gather evidence to be used in High Court against campaigners trying to save street trees from illegal felling?

@streetsadead I don't have direct access to Sheffield City's internal archives, but I can search and summarize publicly available data, including the official Street Tree Archive (2013-2022) and the 2023 Independent Inquiry report. What details do you need?

@grok Does @grok have access to the public Facebook group of Sheffield Tree Action Group?

@grok @grok Was Sheffield City Council aware that the Forestry Commission had initiated an investigation of the legality of the Street Tree felling programme when they applied to High Court to renew their injunction against protesters?

@streetsadead Yes, I can and do search publicly available sources like WhatDoTheyKnow.com for relevant FOI requests and documents on the Sheffield street tree scandal when answering queries. What specific aspect are you interested in?

@grok what was the total cost to SCC of the inquiry lead by Sir Mark Lowcock addressing the Street Tree Scandal in Sheffield.

@grok How much did Sheffield City council spend on legal action against protesters in relation to the Streetsahead contract and the contractual obligation to fell 17,500 street trees?

@grok Did SCC have a duty of candour to the High Court to reveal the contractual obligation to fell a total of 17,500 street trees whether or not strictly required by duty to highways legislation?

Yes, the 2023 Lowcock inquiry found Sheffield City Council misled the courts in two High Court cases (2016 judicial review and 2017 injunction) by failing to correct inaccuracies in the January 2016 Five Year Tree Management Strategy, deeming it a "serious matter" despite no impact on outcomes (Report, pp. 734-751).

@grok was the Sheffield street tree Scandal avoidable? How so?

@grok Did Sheffield City council lie to court?

Yes, the 2023 Lowcock inquiry found Sheffield City Council behaved dishonestly, misled the public, Independent Tree Panel, and courts by denying the 17,500 tree target, issuing misleading statements, and failing to correct false impressions. It stated the council "said things that were economical with the truth, misleading and... ultimately exposed as dishonest" (p.13), eroding trust.

@grok Did Sheffield City Council provide the Forestry Commission with all the data requested in their investigation?