Agenda item - Open Spaces Strategy Update

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)             That the committee requests officers to bring to a future committee a report on progress to delivering resilience and potential new funding for parks and open spaces as set out in the Open Spaces Strategy 2017 including but not limited to the Parks Foundation, sponsorship, donations and advertising etc. The report to also include discussion as to progress on all the priorities detailed in the 2017 strategy that will also enable a decision to be made on the draft update included in this report referenced Appendix 2, Draft No. 3.

2)             That the committee approves the initiation of a consultation in relation to a refresh of the Allotments Strategy 2014- 2024 Delivery Plan, to ensure transparency and a refocus on delivery of the objectives of the strategy.

3)             That the committee approves a trial of wildflower areas on grass verges in the Stanmer Park and Hollingdean ward in response to a letter by Councillor Martin Osbourne for the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee.

39.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that provided an update on the Open Spaces Strategy (2017/27) and also sought approval for three projects arising from the strategy. The Committee noted that there was an error in the report that listed Saltdean Car Park as on council owned land and this area would be removed from the project.

39.2      Councillor Wares moved a motion on behalf of the Conservative Group to amend recommendation 2.1 as shown in bold italics and where struck through below:

2.1   That the committee requests officers to bring to a future committee a report on progress to delivering resilience and potential new funding for parks and open spaces as set out in the Open Spaces Strategy 2017 including but not limited to the Parks Foundation, sponsorship, donations and advertising etc. The report to also include discussion as to progress on all the priorities detailed in the 2017 strategy that will also enable a decision to be made on the draft update included in this report referenced Appendix 2, Draft No. 3. approves the initiation of Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) statutory consultations to introduce car parking charges for car parks in several city parks listed in Appendix 1.

39.3      Introducing the motion, Councillor Wares stated that it was inappropriate to introduce parking charges in parks during the pandemic when residents would be using open spaces more. Councillor Wares stated that the Open Spaces Strategies had a number of other options proposed that should be reviewed and reconsidered.

39.4      Councillor Brown formally seconded the motion.

39.5      Councillor Fowler stated that whilst she was supportive of the wildflower trial however, she could not support car parking charges in parks as usage of open spaces should be encouraged rather than impeded.

39.6      Councillor Appich stated that it was strange that ward councillors had not been consulted on the proposals. Councillor Appich concurred that parking charges near parks should not be introduced and supported the Conservative Group motion.

39.7      Councillor Wilkinson stated that parks where essential during the Covid pandemic and charging for parking would disproportionally effect those that needed open spaces the most.

39.8      Councillor Wares commented that he was pleased to see in the report a renewed commitment to deliver on the actions in the Allotment Strategy as progress was very much needed and overdue.

39.9      Councillor Lloyd agreed that the actions in the Allotment Strategy needed to be delivered and welcomed the emphasis on that in the report.

39.10   The Chair then put the motion to the vote that passed.

39.11   The Chair then put the recommendations as amended to the vote that were agreed.

39.12   RESOLVED-

1)             That the committee requests officers to bring to a future committee a report on progress to delivering resilience and potential new funding for parks and open spaces as set out in the Open Spaces Strategy 2017 including but not limited to the Parks Foundation, sponsorship, donations and advertising etc. The report to also include discussion as to progress on all the priorities detailed in the 2017 strategy that will also enable a decision to be made on the draft update included in this report referenced Appendix 2, Draft No. 3.

2)             That the committee approves the initiation of a consultation in relation to a refresh of the Allotments Strategy 2014- 2024 Delivery Plan, to ensure transparency and a refocus on delivery of the objectives of the strategy.

3)             That the committee approves a trial of wildflower areas on grass verges in the Stanmer Park and Hollingdean ward in response to a letter by Councillor Martin Osbourne for the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee.