APPENDIX 1 Cooperative Parks Consultation Report Consultation on Lambeth’s Cooperative Parks Programme 1. Introduction 1.1 We consulted on the council’s proposals to change the way we manage parks and open spaces across the borough. The council is proposing greater involvement of the community and local Friends groups in how decisions are made in the running of individual local parks and open spaces. 1.2 The proposals included a basic framework for cooperative management, including three basic models (although it is expected that each park would have a different approach). The council also wanted to consult around suggested physical improvements to parks to feed into its three year Capital Investment Plan. 1.3 Aims and objectives The consultation focused on the following: • Whether stakeholders agreed or disagreed with the idea of greater involvement of the community and Friends groups in how parks and open spaces are managed. • What people thought about the three Cooperative Management models: o Council led Management – traditional council-managed approach o Cooperative Management – the creation of a representative partnership between the council, community, councillors and other partners who jointly make decisions about their local park or open space o Community-led Management – where community-led group/s have responsibility for managing the park or facility and the council adopts a monitoring role. • Whether people had suggestions or ideas around how cooperative management approach could work – overall or in relation to a specific park/green space. • What people think of the proposed new vision, which took into account the ideals of a more cooperative way of working. 1 Capital Investment: • Whether people had noticed improvements in their local park over the last 5 years, and how satisfied people were with recent improvements • What future improvements people thought were needed in their local park or green space. 1.4 The consultation was carried out between 26 July and 18 October 2013. 1.5 This report provides details of how we have consulted and the feedback we received. 2. Consultation methods 2.1 We used a number of different methods to obtain comments and feedback on the proposals. These included: 2.2 Nine public consultation meetings; these were led by the led by the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, and senior staff within the council’s Cooperative management and Parks teams. We held public meetings for local residents and representatives of Friends groups, community groups and local organisation to come along and hear what is being proposed, and give their comments, opinions and ideas. 2.3 Self-completion questionnaires – these included a detailed 12 page questionnaire, a short questionnaire, and a questionnaire for young people. We produced paper and online versions of the questionnaires, and distributed them widely. 2.4 Distribution of questionnaires - this included: • a wide email distribution using the council’s lists of Friends groups, community and voluntary sector organisations, businesses, GPs and schools. • paper copy drops of questionnaires and the display of posters in libraries and public offices across the borough. • paper copy drops through over 8000 letter boxes in households surrounding parks across the borough, including a flyer of public meetings and a short paper questionnaire. • Copies of questionnaires sent to schools via the headteacher, school Governors and during visits to primary schools. • Copies of questionnaires distributed at a number of different community events held in parks, consultation meetings, and smaller Friends of Parks and Management Advisory Group meetings. 2 2.5 Publicity : • Posters and flyers: We produced a selection of A2 and A4 posters, and A5 flyers which included a link to the council’s website (www.lambeth.gov.uk/cooperativeparks ) • We produced a flyer including all public meeting dates, and a telephone number and email address for queries, or to request paper copies of consultation documents. • We arranged for posters to be displayed in parks using parks noticeboards. • We distributed posters, flyers and questionnaires to all libraries, leisure centres and public offices including the Lambeth service centre, and an electronic feed at the Town Hall. • Articles in local media: We included advertisements in Lambeth Weekender and Lambeth Talk (August and October 2013) directing people to the council’s website or telephone number. • Social media: We publicised the consultation using Twitter feeds, blogs, and social media sites such as Facebook, including the public consultation meeting dates. 2.6 Face to face interviews – we conducted 513 face to face interviews in local parks and green spaces to gather feedback from residents using the park and attending events. 2.7 Face to face interviews – we commissioned Stockwell Partnership to carry out 149 face to face interviews with specific BME groups. These included Polish, Portuguese, Somali, Asian, and North African residents. 2.8 Qualitative feedback: we conducted more detailed interviews and groups with a number of other groups. These included: • Interviews and small groups with older people – we gathered feedback in the north and south of the borough using a coffee morning for over 65s in Waterloo and at a day centre in Streatham. • Interviews and small groups with people with a physical or sensory disability – we talked with people at the Aspire day centre in West Norwood (18-64 years) • Telephone interviews (semi-structured) – we conducted a number of telephone interviews (10-20 mins) to gather more detailed feedback from people who had provided some feedback. These included: (a) people who had attended a public meeting (and who had some knowledge of the proposals) and (b) people who took part in a face to face interview in a local park (and who had less knowledge of the proposals). 3 2.9 Other meetings: the Operational Parks Manager and Programme Manager presented the proposals at a number of other local meetings to discuss the proposals and gather feedback. These included local Friends group meetings. 2.10 In additional to meetings, the questionnaire, face to face survey, interviews and discussion groups, we provided a range of ways for people to give us their feedback and comments: • sending an email to [email protected] • sending a text to us using 07772 103 628 • calling Freephone 0800 013 1497 to give comments over the telephone or request assistance to complete the consultation feedback form. • sending a letter using the ACS consultation Freepost address provided. 3. How we told people about the consultation 3.1 We used a variety of ways to make sure that people knew about the consultation and how to take part. 3.2 Lambeth residents: we posted information about the consultation on the council’s website, including access to all relevant consultation documents. We also publicised information about the consultation in local media, distributed to all households in the borough. 3.3 Councillors: an elected member briefing pack was produced which included the relevant consultation information and documents, which was emailed as well as hard copies delivered to all Lambeth Councillors 3.4 Partner organisations: we distributed information widely by email to all relevant stakeholders including local Friends and community groups, partner, voluntary and community sector organisations, and private sector providers. We used the GIFTs database to send information to around 900 voluntary and community groups, including local BME groups, health and social care groups, and faith groups. 3.5 Scrutiny Committee: the proposal was discussed at Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Sub-Committee 4. Consultation documents 4.1 A number of documents were available as part of the consultation, including an Information booklet on the proposals. 5. Other formats, community languages and access 4 5.1 This information was offered in a range of formats and community languages. 5.2 We made the questionnaire available in online and paper formats 5.3 We advertised a Freephone telephone number (0800 013 1497) to offer further information and advice on the proposals, and take down feedback over the telephone 5.4 We offered an induction loop at public meetings, for people who were hard of hearing – although we received no requests. 5.5 We offered transport to meetings where people require assistance to attend. 5.6 We used bi-lingual interviewers to gather information from Polish, Somali, Portuguese, and North African residents 1via Stockwell Partnership 2. 5.7 We used a British Sign Language interpreter at Aspire to gather feedback from people who are Deaf. 6. Public consultation meetings 6.1 We arranged nine public consultation meetings, each lasting between 60-120 minutes across the borough. We were careful to organise meetings at different times of the day in each locality to maximise attendance. Please see a full list of public meetings with numbers attending below. 6.2 At the meetings, background information and information about the proposals were presented by the Operational Parks Manager, Cooperative Services Manager, and the Cooperative Parks Programme Manager. Meetings were also attended by the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, and at two of the meetings information was presented by local representatives about existing work being carried out. The second part of the meeting included discussion around the proposals, and questions and answers. 6.3 We provided note takers at each of the meetings and eight