Don’t play with our parks
PUBLIC CONSULTATION SEES NEARLY HALF FEAR FOR SAFETY
ALMOST half of people who have had their say on the future of Newcastle’s parks fear they will fall into disrepair and become unsafe to visit due to funding cuts. Newcastle City Council is the first local authority in the country to investigate the idea of transferring a large proportion of its parks and allotments to a charitable trust. The issue is being put to residents, businesses, community groups and charities through a public consultation which ends on April 21. Early results have given a taste of people’s hopes and fears for their parks and allotment sites. The proposal could see parks and green spaces remain the property of the city council but day-to-day responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining the sites switched to a new trust. It would independently manage around 33 parks across the city and possibly over 50 hectares of allotment land.
The scheme has been designed to help tackle the financial challenges facing the council, where park budgets have been dramatically reduced. Over the past seven years, Newcastle has seen its parks budget cut by over 90%.
The trust would explore new ways of best using the current facilities, and buildings to bring in revenue for the running of parks, without undermining free access.
A grant of £237,500 came from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the testing of this approach.
HLF, which has invested a significant sum in the restoration of North East parks, will require the council to share its findings so that other local authorities learn from the pioneering work.
The National Trust has invested a similar amount into the programme and is working on an advisory level with the council. The consultation is asking people about their main concerns for parks. Early indications are that the biggest fear, shared by 44%, is that parks will slip into disrepair and become unsafe, while 24% feel that people’s health and well being will suffer without access to parks and 12% worry that raising income from commercial events will change the park environment. Asked about what should be the main priority for parks, 28% said that should be increasing the facilities on offer and 28% also cited the need to raise income, while 24% said community groups – not businesses – should have priority for using the parks. Kim McGuinness, council cabinet member for culture and communities, said: “This consultation has been an incredibly valuable exercise in bringing to the fore what residents think about and use our parks and allotments for and how
This consultation has been an incredibly valuable exercise in bringing to the fore what residents think about and use our parks for Kim McGuinness
they see them developing.
“Our parks budget has suffered greatly at the hands of central Government funding cuts but despite this, we’re committed to maintaining and sustaining the beautiful parks and green spaces the city is known for.”
The ability of a trust to generate enough finance to look after the parks is one of the themes being consistently raised.
There are queries about the ability of a trust to remain “ethical” in its pursuit of funding, and not be dependent on sponsorship or creeping privatisation but a counter view was that renting park facilities to businesses would deliver income.
One suggestion was that charges could be applied to commercial dog walkers.
There are also questions on how to ensure that a trust is accountable to residents and uncertainty as to whether its responsibility should include allotments, which are seen as different to parks in that they are not public spaces as such.
A suggestion was that allotments could club together to sell excess produce as vegetable boxes, providing added income.
Parks volunteer Sheila Lowery, of Great Park, Gosforth, said: “Most people enjoy green environments, to some degree or another, so where there are decisions to be made, as many voices as possible should be heard.”
There is a high level of recognition and respect for parks as a precious asset for everyone, with significant health benefits.
Volunteers are seen as important to the running and maintenance of parks. Combining volunteering with qualifications and accreditation for new skills might open up new ways to employment.
Coun McGuinness added: “We’ve taken this matter to the heart of our community throughout March and April, talking to people face-to-face and with extensive use of technology and social media to allow as many people as possible to voice their opinions and help shape the future of Newcastle’s parks.
“The results have seen some passionate and thought provoking responses that will provide the foundation for the development of the proposal. It has really captured the imagination of local people.”
Ivor Crowther, head of HLF North East, said: “Parks are phenomenally important. It’s not only about the facilities but also the natural environment, and the sort of natural health service that a park can provide to the local community.”
Representatives of the council’s communities team met members of the Newcastle Youth Council and Elders Council over the parks issue.
Rory McFarland, aged 17, a member of Newcastle Youth Parliament, from Jesmond, said: “Parks are a place of community, and young people are a community in themselves, who use parks as a place to meet and for enjoyment especially in the summer months.
“Parks shouldn’t be taken for granted. They play a vital role, and we should be encouraging every young person in Newcastle to have their say.”
There has been a special extension to May 5 for the young people of Newcastle to take part.
People can answer questions online by visiting www.let- stalknewcastle.co.uk or by taking