Agenda item

State of UK Public Parks 2016

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

(The appendix has been circulated to Members via email and hard copies are available upon request).

Minutes:

The Committee noted that the recently published Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) report “The State of UK Public Parks 2016? provided important insight into the current state of UK parks. The report focussed on the issues and challenges set by HLF and summarised the City of London Corporation’s response to date.

 

An important finding of the report was how well used parks have been, with originally 54% of adults surveyed using them at least monthly increasing to 57% and with families now 90% of households with children under 5 visit monthly. Only 12% of adults don’t use parks and the most regular users being16-17 yr. olds (44% visit a park weekly) and 25-34yr olds (32%).

 

On average 22.5% of parks budgets came from external sources. The report

showed this was likely to increase to 29% in next three years. Members noted that the concern was that only 54% of local authority parks income was ring-fenced for parks and 79% are considering selling or transferring all or parts of parks.

 

The Committee noted that the Open Spaces department were undertaking work with the GLA which Members would be updated on in due course. The City of London Corporation had sought to support previous HLF reports including:-

·       the introduction of Park Champions,

·       engaged with the Greater London Authority in the preparation and production of ‘Natural Capital –investing in a Green Infrastructure for Future London’,

·       has promoted and supported volunteering and learning

·       reviewing and updating the green space strategy for the City

 

Members noted that the term “green infrastructure” was not as widely used not as user friendly was using the term “parks” though this term encompassed heaths, forests and commons when the City Corporation was concerned.

 

In response to a query regarding the role of Park Champions, Members noted that although these individuals did not have specific job descriptions their roles were very useful when seeking to create good working relationships with local authorities and councillors.

 

Resolved – that the report be received.

Supporting documents: