Agenda item

This Council recognises the significant role that community parks play in the health & wellbeing and cultural life of communities across Leeds. It welcomes the commitment in the Leeds Parks and Greenspaces Strategy 2022-32 to invest in active travel and ‘access for all’ both within and without local greenspaces to maximise usage.

 

The Council further welcomes the contribution made by the Mayor of West Yorkshire in commissioning a report on the safety of women and girls in parks which was published this year.

 

However, this Council is concerned that current capacity and resource levels within the Parks Service are at risk of seriously impeding progress on achieving the priorities spelled out in the reports mentioned.

Furthermore, the current cumulative neglect of green spaces in Leeds is actually worsening the safety and accessibility of park users and deterring many residents from using public open spaces.

 

Council therefore calls for:

 

·  The promised greenspace accessibility audit process to be published this year

·  A women and girls safety audit for Leeds parks to be published in parallel to the above

·  A commitment to completing the 65 community park ‘plans on a page’ within 2 years

·  A commitment that public consultation on such plans will not be limited to the online Commonplace platform

·  Local parks and greenspace access and safety partnerships to be developed through Community Committees, in partnership with the Police and NHS

·  A commitment to investigate the devolution of parks and grounds maintenance budgets to Community Committee level.”

 

tIt was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Chapman that this Council recognises the significant role that community parks play in the health & wellbeing and cultural life of communities across Leeds. It welcomes the commitment in the Leeds Parks and Greenspaces Strategy 2022-32 to invest in active travel and ‘access for all’ both within and without local greenspaces to maximise usage.

 

The Council further welcomes the contribution made by the Mayor of West Yorkshire in commissioning a report on the safety of women and girls in parks which was published this year.

 

However, this Council is concerned that current capacity and resource levels within the Parks Service are at risk of seriously impeding progress on achieving the priorities spelled out in the reports mentioned.

Furthermore, the current cumulative neglect of green spaces in Leeds is actually worsening the safety and accessibility of park users and deterring many residents from using public open spaces.

 

Council therefore calls for:

 

·  The promised greenspace accessibility audit process to be published this year

·  A women and girls safety audit for Leeds parks to be published in parallel to the above

·  A commitment to completing the 65 community park ‘plans on a page’ within 2 years

·  A commitment that public consultation on such plans will not be limited to the online Commonplace platform

·  Local parks and greenspace access and safety partnerships to be developed through Community Committees, in partnership with the Police and NHS

·  A commitment to investigate the devolution of parks and grounds maintenance budgets to Community Committee level.”

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Harrington, seconded by Councillor Amanda Carter

 

In the second paragraph delete all after “This Council further welcomes” and replace with:

 

“national and local efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, including the government’s commitment to a range of actions to protect women and girls against harm, and setting clear expectations about how the threat should be tackled by police forces.”

 

Insert new paragraph after “...deterring many residents from using public open spaces”:

 

“Council is also concerned at the increase in anti-social behaviour in parks across the city, causing costly damage and preventing the public from enjoying our green spaces. Council is further concerned at the number of unauthorised Traveller encampments in parks and green spaces which have caused damage and disruption to local communities.”

 

Add the following at the end of the fifth bullet point:

 

“, with a focus on combatting anti-social behaviour”

 

Add a seventh bullet point:

 

“A commitment to do more to protect and secure our parks and green spaces and prevent unauthorised encampments.”

 

Motion would read as follows:

 

“This Council recognises the significant role that community parks play in the health & wellbeing and cultural life of communities across Leeds. It welcomes the commitment in the Leeds Parks and Greenspaces Strategy 2022-32 to invest in active travel and ‘access for all’ both within and without local greenspaces to maximise usage.

 

“The Council further welcomes national and local efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, including the government’s commitment to a range of actions to protect women and girls against harm, and setting clear expectations about how the threat should be tackled by police forces.

 

“However, this Council is concerned that current capacity and resource levels within the Parks Service are at risk of seriously impeding progress on achieving the priorities spelled out in the reports mentioned.

“Furthermore, the current cumulative neglect of green spaces in Leeds is actually worsening the safety and accessibility of park users and deterring many residents from using public open spaces.

 

“Council is also concerned at the increase in anti-social behaviour in parks across the city, causing costly damage and preventing the public from enjoying our green spaces. Council is further concerned at the number of unauthorised Traveller encampments in parks and green spaces which have caused damage and disruption to local communities.

 

“Council therefore calls for:

 

·  The promised greenspace accessibility audit process to be published this year

·  A women and girls safety audit for Leeds parks to be published in parallel to the above

·  A commitment to completing the 65 community park ‘plans on a page’ within 2 years

·  A commitment that public consultation on such plans will not be limited to the online Commonplace platform

·  Local parks and greenspace access and safety partnerships to be developed through Community Committees, in partnership with the Police and NHS, with a focus on combatting anti-social behaviour

·  A commitment to investigate the devolution of parks and grounds maintenance budgets to Community Committee level.

·  A commitment to do more to protect and secure our parks and green spaces and prevent unauthorised encampments.”

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Rafique, seconded by Councillor Coupar

 

Delete All After:

 

“This Council recognises the significant role that community parks play in the health & wellbeing and cultural life of communities across Leeds. It welcomes the commitment in the Leeds Parks and Greenspaces Strategy 2022-32 to invest in active travel and ‘access for all’ both within and without local greenspaces to maximise usage.”

 

And replace with:

 

“Council is proud of its record improving parks and green spaces in Leeds, with 72% of Leeds community parks now achieving the Leeds Quality Parks standard, compared to just 22% in 2010 under the Conservative/Liberal Democrats Administration at that time.  Council notes this improvement is despite 13 year of damaging government imposed austerity, including £181.9m cut from council services every year since 2010 in Leeds by the Liberal Democrats as part of the Coalition Government.

 

Despite this, Council welcomes improvements delivered by this Council with partners to parks and green spaces in Leeds including:

·  Receiving the prestigious Green Flag award at seven sites, including Golden Acre Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Pudsey Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam

·  Over £3m invested in the development of new visitor facilities at Temple Newsam

·  The development of a new 2 hectare city centre park, Aire Park

·  Breeze in Parks events providing access to parks for young people across the city.

·  Children’s Day Reimagines which will see 1000 children from across the city come together at Roundhay Park on 14^th July

·  Recent improvements to local parks funded by Labour Ward Members, including a new play area at Ashton Park in Harehills and improved play equipment in Bramley Park;

·  Securing £20m investment in the East Leeds and North West Leeds Parklife Schemes which will provide additional sporting and active lifestyle facilities such as outdoor park activity stations, to enable people to do fitness training whilst running around the park, young person’s play areas and significant wildlife habitat improvements

·  Our woodland creation programme which will see a further 50 hectares planted each year over the next 4 years.

 

Council further welcomes work by this council with partners to make Leeds a safer place for women and girls, including the Ask for Angela Campaign which now has over 600 bars and restaurants in Leeds already signed up; the successful women’s night safe bus; and the survey of women who live, work and visit Leeds city centre to share their experiences to help the council and partners make Leeds a safer place for women and girls.

 

Council is disappointed that Government Ministers earlier this year refused to approve levelling up fund bids to further improve parks in Leeds and Council believes this is yet another example of a failing Conservative Government that continues to let the people of Leeds down.”

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Harrington was declared lost the amendment in the name of Councillor Rafique was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises the significant role that community parks play in the health & wellbeing and cultural life of communities across Leeds. It welcomes the commitment in the Leeds Parks and Greenspaces Strategy 2022-32 to invest in active travel and ‘access for all’ both within and without local greenspaces to maximise usage.”

 

Council is proud of its record improving parks and green spaces in Leeds, with 72% of Leeds community parks now achieving the Leeds Quality Parks standard, compared to just 22% in 2010 under the Conservative/Liberal Democrats Administration at that time.  Council notes this improvement is despite 13 year of damaging government imposed austerity, including £181.9m cut from council services every year since 2010 in Leeds by the Liberal Democrats as part of the Coalition Government.

 

Despite this, Council welcomes improvements delivered by this Council with partners to parks and green spaces in Leeds including:

·  Receiving the prestigious Green Flag award at seven sites, including Golden Acre Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Middleton Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Pudsey Park, Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam

·  Over £3m invested in the development of new visitor facilities at Temple Newsam

·  The development of a new 2 hectare city centre park, Aire Park

·  Breeze in Parks events providing access to parks for young people across the city.

·  Children’s Day Reimagines which will see 1000 children from across the city come together at Roundhay Park on 14^th July

·  Recent improvements to local parks funded by Labour Ward Members, including a new play area at Ashton Park in Harehills and improved play equipment in Bramley Park;

·  Securing £20m investment in the East Leeds and North West Leeds Parklife Schemes which will provide additional sporting and active lifestyle facilities such as outdoor park activity stations, to enable people to do fitness training whilst running around the park, young person’s play areas and significant wildlife habitat improvements

·  Our woodland creation programme which will see a further 50 hectares planted each year over the next 4 years.

 

Council further welcomes work by this council with partners to make Leeds a safer place for women and girls, including the Ask for Angela Campaign which now has over 600 bars and restaurants in Leeds already signed up; the successful women’s night safe bus; and the survey of women who live, work and visit Leeds city centre to share their experiences to help the council and partners make Leeds a safer place for women and girls.

 

Council is disappointed that Government Ministers earlier this year refused to approve levelling up fund bids to further improve parks in Leeds and Council believes this is yet another example of a failing Conservative Government that continues to let the people of Leeds down.”