Agenda item

[Report of the Interim Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.]

Cabinet to consider the Scrutiny Review findings and agree the responses to the recommendations.

(b)       Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Review on Parks

The Leader introduced this item and outlined that the Scrutiny recommendations were a positive contribution to improving the management and protection of Parks in the Borough.

Haringey parks were well used. Millions of visits were made to parks and open spaces each year and it was clear that parks are enjoyed and valued across the Council, partners and residents.

It was therefore encouraging to note that evidence received by the Committee reflected this and the recommendations would help to support and protect parks in the long term.

This was an important and timely review that will help shape the forthcoming Parks Strategy to be developed collaboratively over the next twelve months.

The Council recognised that there were always improvements to be made to enhance parks users’ experience and the recommendations will support the Council and partners to raise standards in a sustainable way.

This has been a useful piece of work in ensuring that our parks are of a high standard. The Leader was particularly pleased that the Friend’ of the Parks groups have been involved in this review. It is important that users groups are involved in the use and development of their parks.

Parks played an important part in promoting health and well-being.

In response to Councillor questions, the following was noted:

·         The possibility of exploring a future partnership between Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and the Council in relation to building all weather pitches in the borough, mirroring the existing arrangement between Islington and Arsenal Football Club.

·         In response to the proposal from Cllr Hare that the Council commit to a programme of putting all of the borough’s designated parks and green open spaces under a Fields in Trust covenant which was a stronger protection than the MOL protection, it was noted that this was not cost effective. Placing all parks in the Fields in Trust would cost £150k and would also require an additional officer to manage this. The Council’s response was based on the element of risk to the park and the protections that do exist and categorisations. A more prudent approach would be to consider the 10 unprotected sites as a priority for protection under a Fields in Trust Covenant over the next two years and for further consideration be given to the remaining parks as part of the development of the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

·         In response to representations regarding the response to recommendation 16, the Leader agreed that further financial detail is added to the proposed report to Overview and Scrutiny, including a breakdown of income with specific spending items park by park .The Leader further agreed that a timescale for Overview and Scrutiny considering this report is added to the response.

RESOLVED

1.    To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Report on Parks (attached as Appendix 1).

2.    To agree the responses to the Overview and Scrutiny report recommendations (attached as Appendix 2).

Reasons for decision

Haringey parks are safe places, enjoyed by many.

Over the autumn / winter of 2017/18 partners and stakeholders were invited by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to present their evidence and opinions on the borough’s parks.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has now made a number of recommendations focused on how the Council and its partners can improve the visitor experience when using the borough’s parks and how parks can be protected and enhanced over time.

Alternative options considered

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee explored a number of views and opinions from a range of partners and stakeholders to enable the collation of the report and subsequent recommendations.

The recommendations have been carefully considered. Responses to these have been drawn up to help the Council and its partners to improve the borough’s parks.