Issue - meetings

On 11 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Committee launched an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and consider concerns that their existence is under threat.   The Committee will look at how parks should be supported now and in the future.

As part of the Inquiry, the Committee has invited submissions of written evidence which need to be received by 30 September 2016.

This is the response submitted on behalf of the Council by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey).

The report is for information only as the deadline for submission means that it cannot now be amended.  However, any comments that Area Committees wish to make can be fed into the Council's own Open Spaces Review which is currently ongoing.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the response.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that on 11 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Committee launched an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and to consider concerns that their existence was under threat. 

A copy of the proposed response that would be submitted on behalf of the Council by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) had been circulated to the Area Committee for comment.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In response to the statement that the rationalisation of site maintenance could allow specific parks to receive more resource intensive maintenance, it was proposed that Bramhall Park, by virtue of its unique heritage status as the setting for Bramall Hall, should be included within this type of maintenance regime.

·         It was disappointing to see any reduction in the budget for parks, however the fact that the parks budget had reduced at a rate less than the reduction in the Council’s overall budget was to be welcomed.

·         The value of parks needed to be more widely recognised as they could often be the only opportunity for residents to exercise or enjoy amenity space, particularly in areas of terraced housing or where properties had small gardens.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the proposal to dispose of areas of public open space.  In response it was suggested that this proposal related to plots of land which did not form part of a formal public park and which had little or no amenity value.

·         The suggestion that the provision of parks should become a statutory duty was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

On 11 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Committee launched an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and consider concerns that their existence is under threat.   The Committee will look at how parks should be supported now and in the future.

As part of the Inquiry, the Committee has invited submissions of written evidence which need to be received by 30 September 2016.

This is the response submitted on behalf of the Council by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey).

The report is for information only as the deadline for submission means that it cannot now be amended.  However, any comments that Area Committees wish to make can be fed into the Council's own Open Spaces Review which is currently ongoing.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the response.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a proposed response by the Council to the Communities and Local Government Committee Inquiry into Public Parks (copies of which had been circulated). The Area Committee were invited to make any comments or observations prior to the submission of the response.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

On 11 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Committee launched an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and consider concerns that their existence is under threat.   The Committee will look at how parks should be supported now and in the future.

As part of the Inquiry, the Committee has invited submissions of written evidence which need to be received by 30 September 2016.

This is the response submitted on behalf of the Council by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey).

The report is for information only as the deadline for submission means that it cannot now be amended.  However, any comments that Area Committees wish to make can be fed into the Council's own Open Spaces Review which is currently ongoing.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the response.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that on 11 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government Committee launched an inquiry into public parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and to consider concerns that their existence was under threat.  

A copy of the proposed response that would be submitted on behalf of the Council by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) and the Executive Councillor for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) had been circulated to the Area Committee for comment.

It was noted that the Executive proposed to respond that it should be a statutory duty to provide parks and open spaces that met the criteria of accessibility, quality and provided an offer that met the needs of the local population.  The Area Committee welcomed this proposal.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.