Park report highlights cuts fears
FEARS funding cuts in park budgets will lead to worse health and more anti-social behaviour in Stockport have been taken to the government.
The communities and local government committee launched an inquiry to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on parks and open spaces.
Local authorities were asked for submissions on the subject and after Stockport Council’s impressed, greenspace officer Ian Walmsley was asked to give evidence in person.
The borough’s greenspace budget has reduced by 30 per cent over six years with less staff - particularly in the evenings - leading to more anti-social behaviour.
The submitted report also states that the resultant loss of exercise opportunities could increase future costs from ill health.
Councillor Sheila Bailey, executive member for communities, said: “I was very pleased to see the launch of this inquiry.
“There is no doubt that Stockport’s parks and green spaces have suffered as a result of continuing government cuts, there has been a 30 per cent reduction in the maintenance budget.
“It is impossible to sustain this loss of funding without seeing a consequent lowering of standards.”
An estimated 4,000 regularly participate in sport in Stockport’s parks.
There are 160 children’s play areas, which also fall within the same budget, and 60 friends of parks groups.
The report looks at what alternative funding can be secured for greenspaces such as sponsorship or car parking charges, and alternative management models for managing them including trust funds and involvement with the third sector.
It recommends that the government has a ‘wholesale reappraisal’ and makes it a statutory requirement for councils to provide accessible, good quality parks and open spaces.
Coun Bailey said: “It is a feather in the cap for Stockport to have been invited to give evidence.
“We hope that the inquiry will conclude that the health and wellbeing benefits of our green spaces, the need for children to have safe places to play and for sustainable habitats for our wildlife need much better protection.
“And that we have reached a point where further cuts would permanently damage these areas for future generations.”