A prospective Conservative county councillor has pledged to continue the work of Cllr Alan Cockburn in maintaining Kenilworth's urban canopy.

Richard Spencer, who is running for St John's Ward at the May Warwickshire County Council elections, has said he will continue to plant trees across the town, as the incumbent St John's representative Cllr Cockburn has done.

Cllr Cockburn has championed the re-planting of Kenilworth's kerb-side trees during his tenure at WCC, making up for the fact that the town (alongside Warwick) does not receive funding for such projects.

Over the last six years, Cllr Cockburn has been working with Warwick Tree Warden Volunteers, Warwickshire County Council Forestry Team, as well as Kenilworth Town Council, utilising a portion of his councillor's delegated budget to fund the purchase and re-planting of almost 200 trees.

His dedication to ensure that Kenilworth's urban canopy is maintained has not been limited to his ward, but has reached out across the whole town, through Kenilworth West, Parkhill as well as St John's.

Cllr Cockburn (Con, St John's) said: "Leamington has a budget to maintain its urban canopy while Warwick and Kenilworth does not. Trees really do combat pollution, improve the air quality we breath and obviously make the street scene more attractive."

He has also said that he is delighted to hear that if elected as his replacement, Conservative candidate Richard Spencer wants to continue with the tree planting scheme across the town.

Richard said: "The planting of trees really does enhance the residential areas in which we live, reduces noise transfer and pollution from vehicles as well as helps against climate change. To coin a phrase, every little helps."

WCC are to be held on May 6 2021.

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