Trees planted in Ipswich following a successful paperless billing campaign

Published29th December 2020

Earlier this year Ipswich Borough Council pledged to plant trees in public spaces across Ipswich as a way to encourage residents to opt for online council tax bills.  

Since the campaign launched over 6,000 residents have signed up for paperless billing. As a result 60 trees will be planted across four Ipswich parks – Castle Hill, Stonelodge, Dumbarton Road and Orwell Country Park.

The first 30 trees were planted in Castle Hill park just before Christmas by the Borough's rangers, who were joined by councillors Sophie Meudec and Christine Shaw. 10 of the trees were a combination of Suffolk and Essex apple trees which will in the future produce fruits.

The initiative aims to support Ipswich Borough Council’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to promote the benefits which planting trees brings to communities improving the local area.

Cllr Sophie Meudec, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “This initiative was a way for all of our residents to reduce their paper footprint and improve their local communities. The benefits of planting trees and their impact on our wellbeing and the environment are well known and this initiative is just one of many that supports our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

Caption: Cllrs Sophie Meudec and Cllr Christine Shaw joined Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife Rangers Sarah Kilshaw and Matt Garnham to plant the first trees in Castle Hill park