Agenda item - The Big Conversation - An Open Spaces Strategy for Brighton & Hove

Report of the Executive Director, Environment, Economy & Culture (copy attached).

1)            That the Committee approves the Open Spaces Strategy attached in Appendix 1 on the condition that the actions listed in the Strategy will return to the Committee for final approval and will have been consulted on with stakeholders.

2)            That the Committee approves the priority actions listed in the Executive Summary included in the Open Spaces Strategy attached in Appendix 1.

3)            That the Committee notes the results of “The Big Conversation” consultation for which a summary report is attached in Appendix 2.

4)            That the Committee approves the Playing Pitch Strategy as circulated to Members and made available on the council’s website for which the Executive Summary is attached in Appendix 3.

5)            That the Committee notes the Play Area Report in Appendix 4.

6)            That the Committee notes that further reports on the detailed implementation plan and timetable will be brought to future committees for Members consideration.

66.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that set out a review of the future provision and maintenance of parks and open spaces in the city together with the results of over 3500 responses to “The Big Conversation”, the public consultation on the future of parks and open spaces. The review and consultation results informed the Open Spaces Strategy recommended for approval.

66.2      Councillor Janio stated that the policy was very sensible and in accordance with his political party’s manifesto. Councillor Janio thanked officers for the amount of work that had been put into the report but expressed his concern that there was a slight disconnect between the report and appendix that set out the Strategy. Councillor Janio stated that because of his concern regarding a loss of democratic oversight, the would be moving an amendment to ensure that the public had further opportunity to comment on any policies as this was likely the first occasion they had seen proposals for the future of parks and open spaces.

66.3      On behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Janio moved a motion to amend recommendation 2.1 as shown in bold italics below:

2.1      That the Committee approves the Open Spaces Strategy attached in Appendix 1 on the condition that the actions listed in the Strategy will return to this Committee for final approval and will have been consulted on with stakeholders.

66.4      Councillor Wares formally seconded the motion.

66.5      Councillor Nemeth asked how any tennis club strategy would link in with the Playing Pitch Strategy.

66.6      The Assistant Director- City Environmental Management answered that the council were keen on establishing a formal partnership with local clubs and associations and any changes arising from a future implementation plan would be consulted upon with clubs, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the Brighton & Hove League before being brought before committee for decision.

66.7      Councillor Wares asked for clarification that the proposed amendment would not lead to a contradiction in recommendations 2.4, 2.5 and 2.1.

66.8      The Assistant Director- City Environmental Management clarified that the Playing Pitch Strategy was recommend to Members for approval as following discussions with the Football Association, an approved Playing Pitch Strategy was a fundamental requirement in any applications for grant funding. The Play Area report listed at recommendation 2.4 for noting was important as there was value for Members to be aware of the current play area conditions alongside the short-term, mid-term and long-term outlook for the facilities and the implications for the council. Implementation Plans for play areas would be brought back to committee following relevant consultation for consideration.

66.9      The Head of Sport & Leisure added that in relation to the Playing Pitch Strategy, this had been undertaken in line with the strict requirements of Sport England and had been signed off by the governing bodies of the steering group and Sport England. The document was important for pitches across the city and it was a requirement for cities with a population of 250,000 and above to have a Playing Pitch Strategy.

66.10   Councillor Robins noted that the large reduction of those on the waiting list for an allotment had been due to the Allotment Strategy which had not been mentioned in the report. Furthermore, the report noted that 77% had never used or visited an allotment site but had not addressed the fact that allotment sites were not on public land. Councillor Robins asked what the difference was between an open and closed church yard.

66.11   The Assistant Director- City Environmental Management stated the figures provided were just a snapshot and increased and decreased year round. The difference between open and closed church yards was complex but in essence related to a church yard that ceased to have additional burial space. The Diocese could then hand these over to the local authority for maintenance but there was no obligation on the part of the Diocese to provide the funding to do so.

66.12   Councillor Miller welcomed the report and asked whether the costs detailed in relation to the life expectancy of play equipment and estimated costs of replacement were index linked.

66.13   The Assistant Director- City Environmental Management responded that the figures were not index linked and the report was a snapshot of an assessment of play equipment carried out in September 2016.

66.14   Councillor Atkinson thanked officers for producing a substantial and important piece of work adding that the Strategy was forward thinking in the context of ongoing challenging financial circumstances. Councillor Atkinson stated that he was excited by the opportunity to bid for the Parklife Football Hubs National Programme to fund the introduction of 3G football pitches. Councillor Atkinson noted that Mile Oak Wanderers were an excellent example of a local community organisation in his ward area, were desperate for more playable pitches and were positive about a partnership arrangement with the council. Councillor Atkinson noted his concern that raising sponsorship for specific parks may be more challenging in less affluent areas. Councillor Atkinson supplemented that he found the establishment of a Parks Foundation to be a positive idea

66.15   Councillor Deane thanked officers for a comprehensive and informative report. Councillor Deane stated her agreement with Councillor Robins that the Allotment Strategy had been the key driver in reducing allotment waiting lists rather than a lessening in demand. Councillor Deane noted that 74% of respondents to the consultation had stated a preference for more natural play equipment adding that there had perhaps been a lack of foresight in introducing the playbuilder equipment without an allowance for a ring-fenced maintenance fund.

66.16   Councillor Greenbaum stated that officers had produced an excellent report for the future of parks and green spaces in the economic circumstances. Councillor Greenbaum stated that the scale of proposed government cuts to maintain green spaces was a tragedy. Councillor Greenbaum asked for reassurance that volunteers would be provided appropriate resources to undertake work and clarification on any known health risks associated with 3G turf.

66.17   The Chair stated that she was aware that international studies had been carried out on potential health risks associated with 3G turf and she would ensure that an evaluation report would be included with any report on the matter submitted to the committee.

66.18   The Assistant Director- City Environmental Management stated that the Park Ranger service was ideally placed to lead on volunteering and the consultation had demonstrated a willingness of people to engage and work with the council. The Assistant Director- City Environmental Management added that there had been a number of studies carried out on the safety of 3G turf pitches that addressed the concerns raised and he would circulate this subsequent to the meeting.

66.19   Councillor Janio stated that officers had produced a fantastic report and he found the idea of a parks foundation or trust to be very positive. Councillor Janio asked if he could be involved in the creation of the Tree Strategy that was identified in the report as he was a trustee of the Woodland Trust and could provide useful input.

66.20   The Chair stated that she would very much support Councillor Janio’s input into any review of the Tree Strategy.

66.21   Councillor Wares commended officers for an excellent report. In reference to the motion put forward, Councillor Wares noted that whilst there were 3,000 responses to the consultation which meant it was one of the city’s most engaging, this represented just over 1% of the total population of Brighton & Hove and it was important that the public had a second opportunity to contribute as detailed proposals were considered. Councillor Wares noted the detail in relation to anti-social behaviour, safety and crime and asked whether the Chief Constable had been consulted as part of the process as they could provide a useful viewpoint on the proposals. Councillor Wares asked if there was an omission or mistake made as nowhere within the document was there mention of the risk or management of travelling families and proposals on permitted stopping places.

66.22   The Chair explained that council policy in relation to travelling communities was enshrined in the Traveller Strategy agreed by the Committee and she was not aware of any proposal for permitted stopping places. The Chair confirmed that Sussex Police were one of the consultees.

66.23   The Chair put the Conservative Group motion to the vote which passed.

66.24   The Chair put the recommendations as amended to the vote which passed.

66.25   RESOLVED-

1)            That the Committee approves the Open Spaces Strategy attached in Appendix 1 on the condition that the actions listed in the Strategy will return to the Committee for final approval and will have been consulted on with stakeholders.

2)            That the Committee approves the priority actions listed in the Executive Summary included in the Open Spaces Strategy attached in Appendix 1.

3)            That the Committee notes the results of “The Big Conversation” consultation for which a summary report is attached in Appendix 2.

4)            That the Committee approves the Playing Pitch Strategy as circulated to Members and made available on the council’s website for which the Executive Summary is attached in Appendix 3.

5)            That the Committee notes the Play Area Report in Appendix 4.

6)            That the Committee notes that further reports on the detailed implementation plan and timetable will be brought to future committees for Members consideration.