Agenda item

This is a covering report accompanying the final report and recommendations of Hammersmith & Fulham’s (H&F) resident-led Parks Commission (Appendix A). The commission launched in January 2020, and their recommendations follow a year of extensive research and engagement with council officers, residents, and other park users and stakeholders. Interim recommendations were made in June 2020 to support the re-procurement of the grounds’ maintenance contract.

Steve Hollingworth (Assistant Director Leisure, Sport and Culture) introduced the report and noted that the Commission launched in January 2020. Their recommendations followed a year of extensive research and engagement with Council Officers, residents, other park users and stakeholders.

In June 2020, the Commission produced interim recommendations to support the development of the Council’s procurement strategy for the ground’s maintenance of parks, public open spaces and housing estates. The commission’s report made twenty-two practical headline recommendations concerning democracy and decision-making; how parks were maintained and used; how they were financed; and how green space and biodiversity were enhanced and protected.

Timothy Prager (Chair of the Parks Commission) noted that a group of residents with mixed perspectives and a wide range of skillsets were appointed by the Council. It was also felt that geographic representation within the Commission would be necessary in help developing its recommendations. He thanked Sharon Lea (Strategic Director of Environment), Steve Hollingworth (Assistant Director Leisure, Sport and Culture) and Jim Cunningham (Climate Policy and Strategy Lead) for the extraordinary support provided by the Council. It was noted that the Commission made a call for evidence from residents during spring 2020. They engaged widely with residents, park users and local communities, despite limitations presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commission spoke to a wide range of stakeholders and was extremely grateful for the wealth of input received.

Timothy Prager (Chair of the Parks Commission) highlighted that two key areas from the Commission’s findings needed to be improved and monitored by the Council, these included park affordability and democracy.

Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler thanked the Commission for their hard work in developing their findings. She enquired of the twenty-two recommendations that were made by the parks Commission, which of these were being considered by the Council. In response Councillor Sharon Holder (Cabinet Member for Strategy) noted that as part of this process tonight’s Community Safety and Environment PAC was given the opportunity to provide feedback and comment on the Commission’s recommendations, prior to the report being presented at the next Cabinet meeting for final approval.

Councillor Sharon Holder (Cabinet Member for Strategy) welcomed the close working between the Council and Commission. She felt that any issues with the recommendations would aim to be resolved and highlighted that should any of the recommendations require amendment, these would need to be referred back to Cabinet for approval.

Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler felt that maintenance in parks, including the overgrown grass and wildflowers was a key area of concern. Timothy Prager (Chair of the Parks Commission) explained that a greater sense of oversight and an improved engagement plan would be developed amongst Officers and contractors to monitor and tackle maintenance concerns going forward.

Councillor Sharon Holder (Cabinet Member for Strategy) thanked Timothy Prager (Chair of the Parks Commission) and the commissioners for their hard work, time and expertise in developing the report.

The Chair asked if there were any positive experiences that could be shared with the Committee around the inclusivity work that had been carried out by the Commission. In response Timothy Prager (Chair of the Parks Commission)  provided a summary of the approach and key engagement methods implemented to support and achieve the findings of the Commission.

The Chair individually acknowledged and thanked all members of the Commission for their dedication and the tremendous work that had been carried out to support the detailed and well thought out report and recommendations.

Members noted the report.