Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 13 January 2020 Performance Review: Parks and Green Spaces Do parks and green spaces matter? ........................................................................... 2 Clear policies, strategically planned and managed? .................................................. 3 What’s provided? ........................................................................................................ 6 How does this compare to what should be provided? ............................................ 6 Extensively used? ........................................................................................................ 8 Appreciated? .............................................................................................................. 10 Well managed and maintained? ................................................................................. 11 Value for money? ....................................................................................................... 13 How does performance compare? ........................................................................... 15 C:\Users\acttez7\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\880KGP43\Parks and green spaces performance OASC 13 01 2020.docx 1 Do parks and green spaces matter? High quality, well maintained, safe and easily accessible parks and green spaces are now widely recognised as a key asset to any community; important to the people who live, and work in the area, to those who visit, and to the businesses and organisations that invest in the area. They really do matter. The value of green space, for many different reasons, with many different benefits, for a diverse range of people, by helping to mitigate climate change cannot be over-estimated 1. The role performed by and the value of parks and green spaces to individuals and society in general is now widely recognised and clearly evidenced by extensive research conducted of over many years. 2. At one time simply appreciated for their visual appearance and attractiveness, as a nice place to spend time, the benefits of parks and green spaces are now considered to be far reaching. In surveys conducted 91% of the respondents believe that parks and green spaces significantly improve the quality of life for people locally. 3. In 2017 the Communities and Local Government Committee1 investigating public parks highlighted the follow key contributions of parks and green spaces: a. Physical and mental health and wellbeing, including the benefits arising from physical exercise and activity and reduced exposure to air pollution b. Sustainable travel, for example safe green corridors that encourage people to walk or cycle c. Community cohesion and identity, for example spaces where people from different ages and from different backgrounds come together for activities and events, breaking down barrier and reducing social isolation d. Biodiversity and access to nature, acting as an antidote to urban living as it becomes to more ‘concentrated and intense’ e. Local economy and growth, particularly the role of green space being fundamental to achieving sustainable growth f. Climate change and the environment, absorbing excess rainwater, water and flood protection, natural ‘air conditioning’ [cooling and shading], carbon storage, air quality, water quality, noise absorption 1 Public Parks Seventh Report of Session 2016–17 House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee [2017] C:\Users\acttez7\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\880KGP43\Parks and green spaces performance OASC 13 01 2020.docx 2 4. A recent study2 commissioned by Fields in Trust measured the economic and the social and physical well-being value to individuals of parks and green spaces, changing perceptions by establishing a baseline for the value that parks and green spaces contribute to health and wellbeing rather than being judged simply by what they cost to maintain. The study estimated that: a. The ‘total economic value’ to an individual – including benefits gained from just using their local park or green space and non-use benefits such as the preservation of parks for future generations – is £30.24 per year (£2.52 per month) b. The ‘wellbeing value’ associated with the frequent use of local parks and green spaces is £34.2 billion per year to the UK adult population c. Parks and green spaces are estimated to save the NHS around £111 million per year based solely on a reduction in GP visits [i.e. excluding any additional savings from prescribing or referrals] 5. This study also highlights that the value of parks and green spaces is higher for individuals from lower socio-economic groups and from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The findings show that any loss of parks and green spaces will disproportionately impact disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, precisely those who value them the most. Clear policies, strategically planned and managed? Most policies are up to date and relevant. Comprehensive long-term site management plans are in place for all larger parks and local nature reserves. However, the overall strategy for provision and management of parks and green spaces is out of date and needs to be comprehensively re-written. 6. The role and value of parks and green spaces in Chelmsford has, for many years, been reflected in the key policies of the Council, the Local Plan and most recently highlighted in measures that will be required to tackle the climate and ecological emergency declared by the Council in July 2019. 7. The vision and direction for the future development and use of parks and green spaces in the City Council area is set out in the ‘Parks and Green Spaces Strategy’ [originally adopted in 2004], with the objectives of improving the quality of and access to green spaces, balancing their use, increasing community involvement, whilst maximising the broader environmental benefits. A mid-term review of the strategy in 2009 sought public feedback 2 ‘Revaluing Parks and Green Spaces’ Fields in Trust [2018] C:\Users\acttez7\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\880KGP43\Parks and green spaces performance OASC 13 01 2020.docx 3 on the delivery of the strategy to that date and this was used to refresh the priorities in the strategy, but this is now also out-of-date. The parks and green spaces strategy is due to be completely re-worked in 2020. 8. Specific strategies and development plans are also in place for: a. The provision of Equipped Play Areas [originally adopted July 2012 and updated in 2019] – sets out the policy, standards and targets for the provision of equipped play areas and a phased development plan for rationalising and improving provision in order to meet those standards b. Allotment Strategy [adopted October 2012] – sets out the strategy and standards for the provision, management and maintenance of allotments in Chelmsford, together with proposals to improve their management and maintenance. Allotment standards are also included in the adopted in Local Plan c. Sports and Playing Field Development Plan [January 2018] – provides an assessment of open space, sport and recreation provision against the standards set out in the Local Plan and sets out the strategic policies with supporting action plans to protect and enhance existing facilities and meet future sports pitch demand. In particular, the ‘Future Growth Supplement’ identifies how future pitch requirements could be met through the new Local Plan ‘growth area’ allocations d. Chelmsford Biodiversity Action Plan [adopted February 2013] – intended to protect and improve wildlife habitats throughout the City and specifically to increase the biodiversity of the Council’s directly managed parks and green spaces 9. Apart from the Biodiversity Action Plan, these strategies are all current and the associated development / improvement plans are being actively pursued. A new Biodiversity Action Plan is needed reflecting the priorities set out in the Climate and Ecological Emergency and the Green infrastructure Plan, which is about to be adopted as part of the evidence base for the new Local Plan. 10. Specific policies also are in place for the following: a. Tree Management [originally adopted in 2011 and updated May 2015-] – sets out the policies and approach for the care and maintenance of trees in parks and green spaces and in relation to planning and development management; ensuring the protection of trees, providing a framework for decisions that will affect trees and to encourage new tree and woodland planting in order to maintain and enhance the level of tree cover in the City b. Events in parks and green spaces [adopted in 2011] – sets out a framework and guidelines for achieving a balanced programme of events taking place in parks and green spaces [currently being refreshed for 2020] c. Volunteering [adopted in July 2009] – relates mainly to volunteering opportunities in parks and green spaces, providing a framework to encourage volunteer activity and community participation, whilst ensuring that obligations in respect of the recruitment, C:\Users\acttez7\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\880KGP43\Parks and green spaces performance OASC 13 01 2020.docx 4 training and welfare of volunteers are met; intended to help ensure a mutually beneficial and successful volunteer programme can be sustained over the longer term d. Use of herbicides and pesticides [last updated in June 2018] – sets out the policy and considerations for the use of herbicides