Agenda item

The Executive Member for Wellbeing submitted a report in respect of the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy for 2022 – 2027. He said that the draft strategy had been updated to reflect feedback that had been received following a public consultation held in the autumn of 2021.

Members were advised that parks provided a vital opportunity for residents to enjoy the outdoors and green spaces were central to the Council’s vision of offering health and wellbeing to all and they also provided a calm environment for all generations to relax and exercise.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that sustainable habitats provided an abundance of wildlife. He mentioned the Queen’s diamond jubilee and touched on the topic of carbon capture from trees and hedgerows. Members were reminded of the work of volunteers and were also reminded that the strategy would operate alongside the Council’s wider plans outlined in the corporate objectives.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that the strategy would support environmental sustainability and would sit alongside the Council’s Cultural and Health and Wellbeing Strategies. He stated that the aim of the Council was to deliver cost effective services and explore inventive solutions to ensure that the parks could continue to meet the needs of communities as well as generating sustainable income.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that the parks and open spaces were appreciated and were well used during the lockdowns. He said that a couple of them consistently won green flag award status and there was a lot to be proud of in the parks and open spaces.

Councillor Snowdon said that he welcomed the ban on the release of helium balloons and sky lanterns. He asked if the Executive Member for Wellbeing would consider adding a ban on the release of fireworks in non-organised displays.

Councillor Snowdon also noted that there were only two mentions of Parish and Town Council’s in the document. He asked if the Executive Member for Wellbeing could elaborate further on what the Council could do to work with the Towns and Parishes to further engage them in terms of the management of the parks and open spaces.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that the matter of fireworks was covered in government legislation and they were illegal in streets and public spaces. He said that the authorisation of really well organised formal public displays would be included in the Council’s operational policies.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that the strategy did commit the Council to exploring alternative delivery models for play areas. He said that the Council would work with the local community and was open to discussions regarding bespoke arrangements for the management of parks and open spaces.

Councillor Goldspink asked why there was no mention within the strategy of access for people with disabilities. The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that the strategy did focus strongly on promoting equality and access for all. He said that all of the protected characteristics had been considered as part of the equality impact assessment for this strategy. He reassured Members that the wording of the strategy would be made clearer as suggested by Councillor Goldspink.

Councillor Brady asked if the Executive Member for Wellbeing had considered how the Council could reduce the dangers of diesel emissions from ice cream vans idling in park and open spaces. The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that from an air quality point of view, the Council should be discouraging any kind of emissions from cars and the food vending tender was currently being drafted, and there would be a target period in which successful vendors should adapt their vehicles to a requirement to ensure that ice cream vans were not sitting in parks with diesel generators running.

Councillor Hollebon made a number of observations in respect of the cost of power points, the prohibition of animals in circus settings and the matter of overflowing litter bins. She expressed a concern that the cleaning of sandpits in play areas three times a week was insufficient.

The Leisure and Parks Development Manager said that a lot of research had been done regarding sand pits and three times a week had been found to be sufficient in the past and there was no specific guidance. He said that Officers did patrol the parks to make sure that dogs were kept under control. The Chairman made a point that the wording animal faeces could be used in the strategy document as that wording covered any detritus.

Councillor Drake said that she was also concerned about litter and waste on football pitches. She said that she did not feel it was acceptable for dog walkers to be told to carry dog waste in a bag for any length of time.

Councillor Drake emphasised that more bins were needed and she was really concerned by seeing bins overflowing onto the street as it impacted on people’s quality of life impact. The Executive Member for Wellbeing referred to the complexity of the situation in that the Council looked at what it felt was an appropriate level of provision in terms of dog waste and litter bins. He referred to the wider issue of people taking responsibility for their waste.

The Leisure and Parks Development Manager said that Officers worked closely with the clubs to ensure that their supporters were encouraged not to drop litter. He said that action could be taken in terms or future rentals if problems persisted and Officers were very conscious of problems on Monday mornings. He said that contractors had been clearing up in parks on Sunday evenings and a wider audit of Parks and Open Spaces bins was ongoing.

Councillor Drake said that consideration could be given to renting out areas of parks for electric coffee vans or for boot camps or yoga.

Councillor Curtis referred to the equalities impact assessment and said that there was no mention of learning disabilities. He said that the Council could reach out to the voluntary sector to seek advice on that to ensure that the document was as inclusive as possible for vulnerable people.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing commented on the idea of reaching out to as many organisations as possible to support particular people. He referred in particular to a garden that had been designed on different levels for wheelchair users.

Councillor Redfern said that she did not understand why dog walkers could not bury dog waste rather than using plastic bags. She said that dog walkers must be more responsible.

Councillor Crystall said that this was a very positive step forward for future use of parks and open spaces. He asked if there was any pesticide or herbicide use policy for parks and open spaces as he had received questions from residents on this. The Leisure and Parks Development Manager said that the Council required its contractors to comply with regulations and to strive to use as little herbicide as they can. Councillor Crystall said that some wording to that effect could be included in the strategy document.

Councillor Curtis proposed and Councillor Devonshire seconded, a motion that the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy for 2022 - 2027 be provided to the Executive. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy for 2022 - 2027 be provided to the Executive.