Parish, town, and city councils are responsible for the trees on land they manage. While there is no legal requirement to carry out a formal tree audit, councils are expected to take reasonable steps to inspect and manage tree-related risks.
This falls within established duties under legislation such as the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, opens in new tab and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, opens in new tab.
In practical terms, councils should be able to demonstrate that trees are checked, risks are considered, and appropriate action is taken where needed.
If your council is reviewing its approach to tree management, we’d be happy to provide a short demonstration or discuss how Verdant Village could support you.
Request a short demonstration for your council, opens your email appWhy this matters
Trees are a valued part of the local environment — many of us have fond memories of village oaks or the shade of a churchyard beech. But even the most cherished trees can occasionally fail. When they do, councils may be asked to demonstrate:
- When a tree was last inspected
- Whether any risks were identified
- What decisions or actions were taken
Without clear, accessible records, it can be difficult to demonstrate that a reasonable and consistent approach has been followed.
Guidance from organisations such as the Health and Safety Executive, opens in new tab supports a proportionate, risk-based approach to tree management — particularly in public areas.
A simple, practical solution
Verdant Village provides local councils with an easy way to manage tree information and demonstrate good practice — without unnecessary complexity.
With Verdant Village, your council can:
- Record tree locations and basic details
- Carry out and log routine inspections
- Identify and prioritise potential risks
- Keep a clear history of actions taken
- Maintain a consistent approach over time
It turns what is often informal or fragmented knowledge into a structured, accessible record.
Engaging your community
Verdant Village also enables residents to play a positive role in local tree care.
- Residents can report concerns about specific trees
- Highlight damage, disease, or safety issues
- Provide location-based information quickly and easily
This creates an additional layer of awareness, helping councils identify potential issues sooner-while maintaining a clear record of concerns raised and actions considered.
A real-world example
A resident notices that a tree near a footpath appears to be leaning more than usual after a period of strong winds.
Using Verdant Village, they quickly submit a report via email with the location and an optional photo.
The council is notified and can:
- Review the report alongside existing tree records
- Check when the tree was last inspected
- Log a follow-up inspection if needed
- Record any action taken
Everything is captured in one place — providing a clear, time-stamped record of how the concern was handled.
For local councils
Local councils and tree wardens get a full set of moderation and administration tools. Moderators can add and edit trees, approve volunteers, and review maintenance entries. Administrators can customise council branding, manage the species list, and import trees in bulk from a CSV file.
A full tree log can be exported at any time, giving councils a complete record of every tree and its maintenance history for reporting, insurance, and planning purposes. Each council's data is completely isolated — your trees are yours alone.
Verdant Village is available to local councils under a licence from DRMSITE LTD for a small annual fee.
Your council retains full ownership of its data at all times, and records can be exported whenever needed.
Get in touch about a licence, opens your email appDesigned for local councils
Verdant Village has been developed specifically with smaller councils in mind:
- Simple to use — no specialist arboricultural knowledge required
- Suitable for clerks, councillors, or volunteers
- Works as an ongoing record, not just a one-off survey
- Helps maintain continuity as council members change
Whether your council manages a handful of trees or several hundred, the system scales to suit your needs.
From uncertainty to clarity
Without a system
- Tree knowledge is held informally
- Inspections carried out inconsistently
- Limited or no documented history
- Difficult to demonstrate decision-making
With Verdant Village
- Centralised, up-to-date tree records
- Structured and repeatable inspections
- Clear audit trail of observations and actions
- Community-reported concerns captured and tracked
- Greater confidence in demonstrating reasonable care
Supporting good practice
Verdant Village does not replace professional arboricultural advice when needed. Instead, it provides a practical framework that helps councils:
- Organise and maintain their tree records
- Apply a consistent inspection approach
- Capture and respond to community concerns
- Demonstrate that risks are being actively managed
This aligns with widely accepted expectations for proportionate tree management in the UK.
A sensible step forward
For many local councils, tree management evolves over time. Verdant Village offers a straightforward way to move from an informal approach to one that is clear, consistent, and defensible — while also strengthening engagement with local residents.
If your council is reviewing its approach — or simply wants better visibility of the trees it manages — Verdant Village provides an affordable and practical solution.
Already supporting parish and town councils in maintaining clear, consistent tree records.
Simple, transparent pricing
Verdant Village is available to local councils under a straightforward annual licence, with pricing designed to remain affordable for councils of all sizes.
Standard parish councils (1,000–5,000 residents): £295 per year.
Typically less than the cost of a single professional tree inspection — while providing a continuous, structured record throughout the year.
This type of annual software licence is typically considered a low-value procurement and can often be approved directly by the council.
Typical pricing
- Small parish councils (under 1,000 residents): £195 per year
- Standard parish councils (1,000–5,000 residents): £295 per year
- Larger parish, town or city councils (over 5,000 residents): £395 per year
For most councils, this works out at just a few pence per resident per year.
The licence includes full access to all features, including tree management, inspection records, and community reporting.
All prices are inclusive — no VAT is charged.
No long-term contracts. You can start with a single year and continue only if it proves useful to your council.
Many councils have found that having a clear, accessible record not only saves valuable time day-to-day, but also provides real peace of mind — especially when responding to residents' questions or preparing for council meetings.
Used by parish and town councils to support a clear, documented approach to tree safety.
It’s a simple way to ensure your council is taking a clear, consistent, and responsible approach to tree management.
Request a short demonstration or pricing for your council, opens your email appSee how it works
We’d be happy to provide a short demonstration tailored to your council and answer any questions you may have.
Download our information sheet (PDF)