Issue - meetings

RECOMMEND TO CABINET:

(1)  Adopt the Vison, Objectives and Aims for managing Greenspace as detailed at 7.4 below.

(2)  Review and adopt the Greenspace Management Strategy 2022-27 at Appendix A.

(3)  Agree the delegation for creating an Action Plan arising from the GSMS and an annual review of the Action Plan to the Greenspace Manager in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Leisure and the Service Director - Place.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1)  These recommendations are put forward to ensure there is an ongoing proactive and pragmatic approach for the future management and maintenance of Greenspace within North Herts for the period April 2022 – March 2027.

(2)  Additionally, the GSMS 2022 – 2027 provides the strategic link between the previous Greenspace strategies and the future demands placed upon North Herts District Council, specifically; managing the environment and biodiversity, finance and planning while delivering high quality greenspace services to our existing and newly developed infrastructure.

Audio recording – 60 minutes 22 seconds

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Executive Member for Environment and Leisure, presented the report entitled ‘Greenspace Management Strategy 2022-27’ and advised of the following:

·         The strategy detailed in the report is about understanding how to make best use of green spaces for leisure and the environment.

·         This strategy increased the emphasis on the environmental contribution of the green spaces in the district, whilst continuing to provide a community facility.

·         Detail was provided of how areas would be renewed and maintained, with a move to an annual assessment instead of 5-year planning.

·         The new green spaces outlined in the proposed Local Plan would be maintained by NHDC under this strategy, so long as developers are willing to make a financial contribution.

·         This strategy has been developed in line with Climate Change Strategy, proposed Local Plan and Biodiversity Strategy, amongst other Council strategies.

·         Extensive public consultation had taken place, which received a good number of responses. Some of the comments were related to the Green Belt land, rather than the Greenspaces in the district.

·         Litter has been a constant challenge and publicity campaigns around this had taken place and would continue.

·         This is a strategy to delivery Greenspaces across the district, with good facilities for the community and contribute to environmental objectives of the Council, within financial constraints.

Councillor Tony Hunter noted that the recommendation 2.1 outlined that the Vision, Objectives and Aims of the were detailed in 7.5 of the report, but this should be point 7.4 of the report. 

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

·         Councillor Tony Hunter

·         Councillor David Levett

·         Councillor Claire Strong

In response to questions the Executive Member for Environment and Leisure advised that the Ranger position at Howard Park, Letchworth was not part of this strategy, but was a decision taken in the summer of 2021. While the Ranger had formed good relationships with the users of the park, the position was not central to the management or security of the park and there was not a Ranger position at any other park in the district. Whilst this was regrettable, the work can be amalgamated into other roles at the Council, with no impact on the users of Howard Park.

The Service Manager – Greenspace advised the Ranger had an element of audience development within the job description, but this was extended by the person in the position to cover areas within their own interest and beyond the job description.

Councillor David Levett, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Mike Hughson seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RECOMMEND TO CABINET:

(1)  Adopt the Vison, Objectives and Aims for managing Greenspace as detailed at 7.4 below.

(2)  Review and adopt the Greenspace Management Strategy 2022-27 at Appendix A.

(3)  Agree the delegation for creating an Action Plan arising from the GSMS and an annual review of the Action Plan to the Greenspace Manager in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Leisure and the Service Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92