Agenda item

Discussion paper of the Green Space Development Manager

The Green Space Development Manager introduced the paper as circulated with the agenda.  The paper outlined some of the accomplishments of the Green Space Strategy since it was approved by Cabinet in 2009 and raised points for consideration. 

Appendix 1 detailed progress on specifics within the Action Plan and overall, good progress had been achieved in several key areas.  Highlights included a number of successful funding applications, high customer satisfaction with allotments, increased bio-diversity, Green Flag awards and significantly increased partnership working and volunteer wardens.

The following responses were given by the Green Space Development Manager and Cabinet Member Sustainability in response to questions from members of the committee;

• Some sites had an established management plan, in which case it would prove simple to direct resources (volunteers) to the sites, though admittedly work to some sites was far more ad-hoc.  There were issues about health & safety and insurances, which could be overcome and Park Rangers would maintain an overview. 
• A presentation on work in support of bio-diversity and sustainability to the Climate Change Working Group could be arranged.
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) of which one may already exist, would allow for S106 contributions to be targeted at strategic level sites.
• The formal quarterly meetings with Gloucestershire County Council related mainly to operational matters including the cutting of grass verges and most recently roundabout sponsorship.  The Green Space Development Manager did not attend these meetings personally.
• Imperial and Montpellier Gardens were assessed some years ago for the English Heritage ‘Register of Listed Parks and Gardens of Specific Historic Interest in England’ and were not considered to meet the relevant standards.  History of parks was key in this assessment, notable designers, etc, though they could be reassessed in the future.  Sandford Park could well be added as its history was proving very interesting.
• For clarity, the second to last recommendation on page 39 referred to a reduction to the size threshold for sites in order that more could be considered as meeting the 300m accessibility standard. 

Councillors Fletcher and Garnham advised members of the Big Community Offer Highways.  This was a new offer being developed by GCC which would allow interested parish, town and neighbourhood groups to apply for and fund enhanced highway items (trees, drainage works, etc), which would be match funded by GCC.  This was a pilot project in certain areas of Cheltenham at the moment.  

Councillor Garnham suggested that whilst Green Flags were an excellent indicator of clean, safe and well managed green spaces, perhaps another useful indicator would be usage of parks and gardens.  Whilst resources at the council were reduced, perhaps community groups could undertake spot checks. 

The Chair thanked the Green Space Development Manager and Cabinet Member Sustainability for their attendance.  She felt the Green Space Strategy was one of the most exciting to be considered by the committee given that green space was so special to Cheltenham. 

The Green Space Development Manager would organise a meeting of the Green Space Strategy working group in the coming weeks.