Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of The Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces which informs the Community Committee of the work regarding joined up planning within community parks.

The Committee received the report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces which provided information on the new approach to community park development in Leeds. The report is a part of a community consultation designed to capture local residents opinions about their parks ahead of future development of the parks.

The Parks Technical Support Officer, Christopher Megginson, attended the meeting and provided the Committee with a presentation which provided details of the Community Park Vision, and the public consultation exercise within the Inner East area. The aim of the plans for each park is for them all to achieve the Leeds Quality Park (LQP) accreditation, which would entail delivering priorities set out in the accreditation such as ‘Quality parks’, ‘Access for All’ and ‘Health and Wellbeing’. The Vision Plans will include features such as circular paths and improved facilities to meet these objectives

The Parks Technical Support Officer provided the Committee with an oversight of the Leeds City Council Community Parks programme of work. 65 parks across Leeds were identified as Community Parks, which serve primarily serve local residents. City Parks were identified as having amenities which attract people from across the city and beyond.

The Inner East area has six parks identified as Community Parks. The consultation process for East End Park (Burmantofts & Richmond Hill) has begun, with Harehills Park (Gipton & Harehills) due to start. Banstead Park (Gipton & Harehills) has been provisionally scheduled to begin in the next nine months.

The consultation process will contribute to the development of a tailored Vision Plan for each park. The consultation process for East End Park runs until 12^th September 2023, and has so far included 250 local flyers and engagement with  schools and local organisations. There will be Officer presence in the park to capture local residents views. Whilst there is an online survey the focus has been on enabling those who do not use online services to be able to access the consultation.

The order in which to carry out these consultation exercises was determined by a mixture of factors including existing public access to green space, deprivation, current condition of the parks and likelihood of future funding being obtained. One potential source of funding would be the use of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is raised through local developments, and so areas where future developments are planned have been prioritised.

After the presentation the Committee discussed the following matters;

·  As under 12’s cannot participate in consultations, engaging with parents and schools was highlighted as an appropriate way of capturing children’s views and needs.

·  Killingbeck & Seacroft has had Seacroft Gardens identified as a potential site to be consulted on, but the focus is on six month increments.

·  Members would share details of local groups that would be interested in supporting this work with the Parks Technical Support Officer.

·  The Committee noted that whilst Active Leeds and Parks are in separate directorates they work closely together, and that this work will support the Marmot City agenda to reduce health inequalities in the city.

·  Discussion was had on improving language access to the consultation, such as the use of QR codes.

RESOLVED –

a) To note the contents of the report and discussions

b) To note that, in line with the strategy, community parks public consultation activities are being undertaken with community groups, members of the public and schools being contacted.

c) To note Members’ intention to share their knowledge of local groups and networks with the Parks Technical Support Officer.