Issue - meetings

Report ES15084

In commissioning the parks and greenspace service to The Landscape Group, (TLG), TLG were required to authorise and develop a number of strategic plans for PDS scrutiny, ultimately creating policies for the Council’s portfolio. Member views were sought on Strategies related to (i) Parks, Greenspace and Countryside and (ii) Events and Activities. Both draft documents were appended to Report ES15084. Further strategic plans encompassing Countryside and Woodlands, Play, Sports and Grant Funding would be presented to the Committee in early 2016. The draft plans were also currently under consultation with the Friends Forum and other groups.

TLG were keen to promote events and activities in the borough’s parks, countryside, recreation grounds and other suitable sites and a Business Development Manager had been appointed. The Chairman preferred to see a programme of events rather than have all activities take place in a few days in adjacent parks. It was also desirable for promoters of activities to be aware of the events of others.

Events and activities would be publicised online. TLG were also looking to expand programmes and have events during winter as well as summer. Should local residents and users be unduly inconvenienced by certain activities, TLG would review complaints for the future. If there were sustained complaints about particular activity/activities, TLG staff would liaise with Board Members. It was highlighted that activities by Friends Groups would be free of charge and a reduced hire fee would apply to activities by charities.

The TLG representative agreed that it was necessary to streamline paperwork for a park event and to have more online provision to make application; it was necessary to reduce paper and simplify the procedure. The representative also explained that TLG were working with public health.

Members supported the recommendations to the Portfolio Holder. 

RESOLVED that the Environment Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(1)  authorise the Parks, Greenspace and Countryside Strategy document for publication as a policy; and

(2)  authorise the Events and Activities Strategy document for publication as a policy.