Commons inquiry warns parks face period of decline

Over the last few months the Communities and Local Government Committee has been reviewing the future of Public Parks to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on these open spaces and consider concerns surrounding their future.

In total 379 organisations and individuals to submit evidence to the Inquiry. You can read our submission online.

The Inquiry Report, published at the weekend, warns that parks face a period of decline from their current tipping point with potentially severe consequences unless their vital contribution to areas such as public health, community integration and climate change mitigation is recognised.

The Report highlights considerable challenges including reduced council spending, and parks management budget cuts of up to 97 per cent, the need for parks to compete with other services for funding and planning policy not giving them enough weight, particularly as a result of pressures to increase housing supply. The Committee calls on councils to publish strategic plans, setting out how parks will be managed to promote healthy lifestyles, tackle social exclusion and manage flood risk.

Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, said: "I welcome the Communities and Local Government Committee report into the future of parks and particularly the recommendation that their wider value should be recognised, beyond leisure and recreation, to include promoting healthy lifestyles and tackling social exclusion; the CLG Committee suggest parks should maximise their contribution to wider local authority agendas. As an advocate for parks, playing fields and recreation grounds Fields in Trust has been calling for just such a re-valuing of greenspace, to take account of the vital contribution they make to local communities.

"Fields in Trust believe we should re-value our green spaces as a resource which contributes to public health, mental wellbeing and community cohesion, not simply viewing parks as a drain on council finances for upkeep and we welcome the Committee’s recognition of that fact. Now that this value is acknowledged it is important that local authorities are supported to ensure green spaces are protected from development and maintained for public recreation for future generations.

"As the Housing White Paper, published this week has shown - there is pressure on land across the UK for housing and commercial development; existing planning legislation alone is not sufficient to prevent the loss of parks and playing fields. Some landowners and local authorities have worked with Fields in Trust to independently secure their green spaces; ensuring accessible public recreational land is protected forever. Fields in Trust welcome the CLG Committee recommendation that councils should publish a strategy to demonstrate the value of parks - but without the protection of this land there is no guarantee that the contribution green spaces make to health and wellbeing can be sustained."

Matthew Bradbury, Chairman of The Parks Alliance, said the report gives everyone, the public, park professionals, local and central government the opportunity to seek solutions and avoid merely nursing our parks into a managed decline.

“It’s important that the Committee has recognised that parks are central to our wellbeing but it is bitter sweet to read a report which confirms what we have believed for some time that parks are at a tipping point," he continued. "They are at the heart of British life yet are a cinderella service set against competing financial demands.

“The Parks Alliance would support the call for local authorities to publish strategic plans to recognise the value of parks beyond leisure and recreation but there is a role for central government too. The Government should issue guidance to councils to work with Health and Wellbeing Boards and others. But they can and should, do more.

“Fundamentally, we believe there is a case for greater leadership to ensure our public parks and open spaces thrive. We would go further than the report and ask that investment is directed by central government to ensure there is strong leadership in the parks sector. If this comparatively small investment is made, it will deliver huge return in terms of improved wellbeing, social cohesion and environmental management. We need to consolidate on what’s been achieved over the years and reap the benefits. In order for leadership and national coordination to develop, this will require the necessary and urgent investment. It is then up to the Parks Alliance and others to step forward and prepare the profession to respond and continue to innovate to protect our parks.

“We have long counselled that there is no single solution that will solve the long term sustainability of parks. The Alliance stands ready to help and explore alternative models with the Parks Minister, Andrew Percy MP, the Local Government Association and local authorities. For instance we would like to see what more can be done to ensure new developments consider the need for access to public parks and open spaces for their residents. We need to grasp the opportunities for new development to finance the provision of new open spaces.

“We welcome the recognition of the need to engage with other government departments to tackle the challenges we face and look forward to hearing from the Minister on how we can collaborate with his cross department group.

“The Committee will return to this issue to gauge the progress made before the end of this Parliament. We at the Alliance, will certainly be keeping the pressure up.”

BALI’s Chief Executive Wayne Grills, also welcomed the recognition by the cross-party CLG committee that parks play a vital role in in the communities they serve. Asking the question ‘Why do parks matter?’, the committee considered contributions from the broad range of stakeholders on the value of parks and the many challenges facing the parks sector.

"BALI believes it is essential that the Parks Minister, Andrew Percy MP, and his team continue to support and work proactively with Local Authorities on the consultation, development and implementation of green space strategies," he added. "The intention that the Minister report back annually to Parliament on progress made is welcomed.

"The report clearly acknowledges that whilst volunteer groups make an important contribution to trying to hold back the deterioration of some public parks, there are limitations to relying on volunteers. The health and safety implications from poor maintenance are a major concern for Local Authorities and for BALI and its members operating in the parks sector. BALI believes that solutions involving volunteers should be carefully implemented, managed and monitored.

"The report also acknowledges that parks need to be managed for the long term. BALI members who are already part of the ongoing solution providers and partners of Local Authorities, are keen to work with senior representatives at local and government level to help develop and drive forward viable and sustainable park maintenance strategies.”

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