To consider information presented by representatives of groups involved in greenspace projects.
Representatives of voluntary groups and stakeholders involved in greenspace projects have been invited to attend this Scrutiny Review meeting to share their achievements, knowledge and expertise in relation to greenspace projects.
The Panel is recommended to note and comment upon the information presented.
Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk
Minutes:
Representatives of voluntary groups and stakeholders involved in greenspace projects attended the meeting to share their achievements, knowledge and expertise in relation to greenspace projects.
Bridget Rogers from Reddish Together
Ms Rogers informed the Scrutiny Review that the ‘Reddish Together’ group been set up eight months previously to improve the local environment in Reddish. In that period the group had carried out two main projects. The first of those being a project to tidy the main square in Reddish which had involved replacing a barrier, regular litter picks and alleyway tidy-ups, particularly at the back of the charity shop, and clearing an area overgrown with brambles. The second project involved improvements to a disused toilet block, involving clearing the area and installing a mural.
‘Reddish Together’ used social media to recruit volunteers and fundraised with the local community and local businesses in order to raise funds to carry out improvements in the local area. Future ambitions included partnering with local schools to undertake litter picks and to continue to work to improve the local area and attract business.
Norman Jones from Friends of Ladybrook Valley and Friends of Hesketh Park
Mr Jones stated that the Friends of Ladybrook Valley group had been operational for 25 years. There were approximately eight regular members. In relation to Ladybrook Valley, with the exception of tree planting, all other work was carried out by the ‘Friends of’ group. The group had made improvements to the pathway and had secured funding from the Merseyway River Trust to create a pond.
Mr Jones stated that he had also been a member of the Friends of Hesketh Park for approximately the past twelve years. The park had previously been neglected and the Friends group had made many improvements. The most recent Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) inspection had awarded the park a Category 5 distinction.
Mr Jones also had involvement with a volunteer group who had worked on land behind Cheadle Hulme Library. An orchard had been planted and an urban wildlife area created. Mr Jones reported that there had been some areas of disagreement with council officers who had wanted to mow the grass in the area. Mr Jones also worked with the Friends of Carr Wood, a group which had been set up for seven years. That group had recruited students and members of the Mersey River Trust to undertake bio-blitzes, the most recent of which had attracted 70 visitors and found several species.
Michaela Howell from Groundwork UK
Ms Howell informed the scrutiny review that Groundwork UK was a community and environmental charity which offered a wide-range of support and activities including improving skills, employment, energy advice, biodiversity and climate change. Groundwork UK had been commissioned by Stockport Council to create ‘eco-streets’ which involved brightening up alleyways and other small areas of land to create community gardens.
Recently Groundwork UK had been working in Brinnington, creating volunteer groups and supporting people with confidence and skills. That group was working on a memorial garden at Berwick Parade. Further work was taking place, alongside Resilient Cities, in Edgeley to develop a community response to flooding. Groundworks UK also worked with groups to help them to obtain grants from the Mayor’s fund.
Update from Council Officers
Council officers reported that council teams worked across the borough with over 90 ‘Friends of’ groups. The council ensured groups can undertake work which was covered under its liability insurance. It also carried out power tool training. The work undertaken by ‘Friends of’ groups was over and above that which was carried out contractually by Totally Local Company on behalf of the council and it added value in making the borough more vibrant, interesting and accessible to residents and visitors.
It was reported that the work carried out by council officers to protect voluntary workers could be labour intensive but it was important to have systems in place to protect volunteers and ensure everyone was working safely. It was reported that some system improvements were being looked at, for example mapping the work of contractors, but overall the system was effective and all sectors worked to create thriving neighbourhoods.
The following comments were made/ issues raised:-
· Officers stated in recent years there were fewer council staff covering larger areas of the borough and that the dedication of council officers and volunteers was the reason that Stockport had thriving green spaces.
· The council was undertaking work with Groundwork UK and the Cheshire Wildlife Trust on projects including building a local nature reserve.
· Neighbourhood Project officers, working alongside the Highways team, made efforts to engage with local people to encourage volunteering.
· Any residents, or groups, who were keen to become involved with volunteering were encouraged to contact the Neighbourhood Community officers.
· It was important for the Council to be aware of where local groups intended to carry out work. For example landscaping adjacent to a highway could affect sightlines.
· In some circumstances, local residents did not support uncut grassed areas and it was important to strike a balance. Local greenspaces teams had liaised with residents in these cases.
· Volunteers confirmed the benefits of the councils’ provision of training and insurance.
· Volunteers referred to the difficulties involved in engaging local residents and finding new volunteers. Mr Jones stated that the Friends of Hesketh Park had 120 people on an email list but approximately twelve who engaged in volunteer work. He stated that once a group was allowed to lapse it was very difficult to restart the work.
· Covid had impacted upon the numbers of volunteers engaging in local projects where individuals with vulnerabilities had been unable to participate and visitors centres closed. The volunteering sector was still recovering from that situation. However, lockdown had enabled others who were furloughed to engage in volunteer work.
· Volunteers commented that having a single point of contact within the council who could communicate with Housing and Highways representatives and set out requirements for maintenance would be beneficial. It would also serve to improve relationships between volunteers, groups and the council.
· Certain types of projects undertaken in the local community had the potential to create future challenges where no agreements had been made in terms of ongoing maintenance. For example, the installation of planters which, if not maintained by volunteers, could not always be maintained or replaced by the council due to a lack of funding. It was useful to have a written agreement between local groups and the councillors in advance of projects going ahead.
· In many cases alleyways which were overgrown or a site of fly-tipping were inaccessible to residents. The benefits of alleyway greening projects for local residents included opportunities for socialising, health, a greenspace for children to play and for residents to grow their own vegetables.
· It was agreed that it would be useful to create guidance on creating early agreements between groups, legal services and councillors, along with undertaking risk assessments and seeking the views of local residents. In relation to alleyway greening, it was important to take account of matters such as whether alleyways were adopted or unadopted, the width of access, the weight of any structures to enable repairs and ensuring the council had access to drains and pipes.
Conclusions
· One of the key aims of this scrutiny review was to create a guide for local residents and volunteer groups who want to develop or improve alleyways and urban green spaces.
· The guidance should incorporate information on how residents can become involved in volunteering, emphasising the benefits of volunteer work for mental health and wellbeing.
· Improvements should be made to routes of communication between council officers and volunteer groups.
· It would be useful to change the perception of some of the work of volunteer groups, for example not mowing some grassed areas to encourage biodiversity.
· Volunteer groups should be given the use of community centres to support meetings in local communities.
· Improvement should be made to the council’s website, enabling the council to support volunteer groups, provide details of neighbourhood strategies and toolkits for greenspaces.
RESOLVED – That the thanks of the Scrutiny Review Panel be extended to all those who had contributed in the discussion.