Frodsham Town Council Amenities Committee has agreed to apply for a grant from the government's post-Covid Welcome Back Fund, which will be used for the planting of trees across the town.

Frodsham Tree Warden, Tom Blundell, had requested the replacement of seven trees in Churchfields, three in Hob Hey Wood and 14 in Ship Street orchards, at a cost of £12 per plant and £3 per stake.

"The seven trees in Churchfields have not been replaced for years. Some of them have been vandalised and some hit by the tractor that mows the orchard," Mr Blundell said during an Amenities Committee meeting on Monday (19 April).

"In Ship Street orchards we need 14 because all of those have been vandalised over the past two years."

While it is hoped that these trees will be funded by the Welcome Back scheme, the new Hob Hey Wood additions will be financed through the Hob Hey Wood Friends budget.

During the Amenities Committee meeting, Cllr Ryan McKeown suggested that, if a Welcome Back grant is not secured, Frodsham Town Council might pay for the trees using money from the Community Infrastructure Levy, through which it has just received £2,358.

"If we can't get the funding, can I propose that we use some of the Community Infrastructure Levy money as a contingency to make sure we do get these trees?" he said.

"What we don't want is for the Welcome Back programme to say 'No' and then to have to go through this whole process again."

Cllr Caroline Ashton also recommended that the replacement trees are 'stronger' so that they can withstand accidental damage and attempts at vandalism.

The Committee therefore agreed that it would definitely provide funding for the new trees, whether through a Welcome Back grant or through the Community Infrastructure Levy.