Parks trust
“Ongoing austerity has left us in a very difficult position with regards to budget, which means, if we want our parks to remain open and free to use for all, we have to do something.”
It’s hoped that the trust would be able to fund itself after 10 years – but the report estimates that £9.7m would be needed to maintain parks initially.
In the long-run, it’s claimed it would save the council an estimated £110m.
The report suggests a number of potential income sources for the trust, including events held in parks, raising more from car parking, and some “pay to play” attractions in parks, such as mini golf or high ropes courses. Ecofriendly burials and corporate sponsorship are also suggested.
The trust could also bid for cash from various funding sources which the council itself cannot apply to.
If the trust was created, Newcastle would be the first city in the country to make such a move – though councillors heard other cities considering similar schemes were watching Newcastle’s progress closely.
But there was dissent in the cabinet meeting to the idea of taking the next step towards creating the trust. Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors announced they would not support the plan.
Coun Wendy Taylor said it had been right to consider the trust option, but that her group now believed “this is not the right option for the council”.
She added: “We are told there is no choice in the financial situation but the fact is no one else in the country is doing this so there must be another way.”
She said some of the suggested sources of income could be explored without having to transfer management of the parks to a trust.
She also raised concerns about the initial cost of the scheme, as well as to the idea of raising money through car parks, which she said could add to air pollution and encourage more people to use cars. She said there were fears that the move could lead to a “change in ethos” of the parks service, and questioned what would happen to staff in the long-term.
But Labour councillors said the plans were still being developed, and could still be rejected if the detailed business case was not feasible. They also argued that a robust set of charitable objectives would maintain the service’s ethos.
Coun Nick Kemp accused the opposition group of “dismissing something quite publicly before we even know whether it’s realistic and sound”.
Outside the meeting, some residents who’d come to hear about the plans also shared their worries.
Rachel Locke, of campaign group Save Newcastle Wildlife, said some of the proposals for income generation, including car parking and natural burial site plans, could harm the parks and the city’s environment, and questioned how ancient heritage woodland and other important wildlife spots would be protected by the trust.
Ms Locke added: “I think the council have just made up their mind on something – if there are other options, surely those should have been included in the consultation.”
The council is supported in the proposal by the National Trust. Harry Bowell, National Trust Director for the North said: “The National Trust is delighted that Newcastle City Council has taken the decision to further explore the potential for this innovative and exciting project.” He said the trust was pleased to be working alongside the council on the project. The council is continuing to hold public feedback events to discuss park plans. Kim McGuinness