Agenda item

This report provides an update on the development of the borough’s Parks for the Future Strategy.

Steve Hollingworth (Assistant Director Leisure, Sport & Culture) provided a brief introduction, which was followed by a presentation from Richard Gill (Senior Parks Manager) on the development of the borough’s parks for the future strategy.

The presentation covered the following aspects:

•       Defining the Strategy

•       Setting the goals, including:

1.    Quality

2.    Accessibility

3.    Listening to residents

4.    Building alliances for change

5.    Celebrating the good stuff

6.    Staying Active

7.    Climate and biodiversity aware

8.    Measuring performance

•       Setting a timetable

•       Progress to date and next steps

Councillor Adam Peter Lang commented on the use of open spaces during pandemic period (for physical and mental health well-being) and agreed the Council had been right to close the parks early on. He noted that parks were important, as a high proportion of residents did not have their own personal outdoor space. He supported the work that was being undertaken and requested more trees were planted across the borough.

Given the heat waves and drought London suffered in 2022, Councillor Adam Peter Lang asked if there was any scope to drill in any of the borough’s parks to access groundwater and mentioned it was important that any new developments and changes to parks usage were clearly communicated to residents.

In response, Steve Hollingworth confirmed there would always be a formal tension over parks usage (dog walking, formal sport, activities and general recreational usage). He also confirmed that there was a bore hole in Hurlingham Park. In relation to selling parks and celebrating what they offered, he explained that new signage incorporating QR codes had been devised to enable residents to access information and a new online booking system was up and running  (so that pitches / areas could be booked for activities).

Councillor Ashok Patel asked what consultation had been done with schools (in relation to the Parks Forum) as some schools such as Hurlingham Academy did not have a playground. In response, Steve Hollingworth confirmed that parks were being booked (and heavily used) by schools but it was a difficult balance to strike between managing the space and sustainability of the parks. He confirmed that officers would continue to engage with schools and include them in the second consultation phase of the strategy. 

Councillor Jackie Borland noted that a number of private events had been held in Bishops Park and Hurlingham and it was important to residents that these spaces were returned to public use as quickly as possible. So, while events such as Polo in the Park were popular and well attended, it did close Hurlingham Park for a number of weeks. In response, Steve Hollingworth agreed there was a balance which needed to be struck between commercial and community events and ensuring sufficient engagement and consultation was conducted in advance. Commenting further, Councillor Stephen Cowan provided details on the commercial aspects of Polo in the Park and how this had grown and developed over successive years.

Councillor Liz Collins commented on some of the issues that had arisen at Oktoberfest (beer festival) last year and asked if the LET Team would be patrolling future events. In response, Councillor Sharon Holder (Cabinet Member for Public Realm) confirmed the Authority were very mindful that parks needed to be returned to their normal usage quickly and Oktoberfest had been affected by very poor weather conditions (which had damaged the grass). She confirmed that the Oktoberfest event would not be returning this year to Lillie Road Recreation ground.

The Chair, Councillor Rory Vaughan confirmed he had seen the new signage and commented that the ancillary information about each of the parks was useful,  interesting and had enhanced parks across the borough. The Chair asked officers to explain what the Parks Forum was and how they envisaged they would make use of this in conjunction with Friends Groups. In response, Steve Hollingworth provided details on the Parks Forum and explained that. over time, Friends Groups had evolved from a means to address specific issues. The Committee noted there were currently thirty Friends Groups which were supported by two Environment Officers and the Parks Forum acted as an umbrella organisation which represented the collective Friends Groups. Steve Hollingworth confirmed that the Parks Forum would review the memorandum of the Friends Groups to ensure they were truly representative (of local residents  and  their concerns).

The Chair asked about the Capital Programme, what this looked at, and whether this was reviewed by the Parks Forum. In response, Steve Hollingworth confirmed that the Parks Capital Programme  was funded through Section 106 Agreements and that approximately two thirds of the current three-year  programme had been delivered. The Chair asked Officers to comment on the upkeep of playgrounds within parks. In response, Richard Gill explained that playgrounds typically lasted between fifteen to twenty years, but this was dependant on what materials they had been made from. And so, the (anticipated) longevity of playgrounds and play spaces were factored into the Capital Programme. The Chair asked if playgrounds were replaced on a like for like basis. In response, Richard Gill confirmed that in the case of Brook Green for example,  the timber had rotted away, and so when these were replaced it was always a balance between materials, longevity and aesthetics. Steve Hollingworth confirmed that before any decisions were taken, feedback from Friends Groups was considered.

Concluding the item, the Chair noted that there had been changes to the weeding strategy. Officers confirmed that work was ongoing and suggested this topic could be investigated further towards the end of the year.

Resolved

1.    That the Committee both note and comment on the report.