Open Spaces Strategy - consultation phase one

Overview

LBRuT are commencing the creation of a new Open Spaces Strategy 2011-2021 to set out how we will manage our Parks and Open Spaces over the next ten years. We see this as an exciting opportunity to build on the significant improvements we have undertaken in recent years, achieving the highest satisfaction rating of any Parks Service in the country.

A programme of investment over the last five years has seen nine parks achieving Green Flag Award Status, 92% of playgrounds achieving LEAP Status, two significant historic parks restored, significant success in London in Bloom and a range of new and improved facilities provided for the residents of Richmond upon Thames.

However, this period of major investment is drawing to a close and, like all Councils, we face testing financial conditions.  Therefore, it is timely to review the Parks Service's priorities and goals for the coming years so that the service is prepared to meet the challenge of continuous improvement and to ensure that the provision for residents is maintained to the highest possible standard.

Consultation phase one

The first stage of consultation is on Friday 10 September when Parks staff, the Council's Grounds Maintenance Contractor (Veolia Environmental Service) and representatives from various Park Friends and consultation groups will be asked to identify and suggest new ways of addressing both park and community needs and aspirations, as well as reaching out to groups less likely to be current Parks users.

Following this consultation and other research activities, a draft document will be produced which will be open to the wider public and partners to have an input later in the year.

What happens next

The event was a successful start to the process of producing a new Open Spaces Strategy for Richmond upon Thames and the feedback received so far has been positive. Partners agencies and friends of parks groups were encouraged to continue to discuss the initiative within their groups and with other parks users and feed information back to the parks and open spaces team (parks@richmond.gov.uk). Feedback will be passed to the consultants for review.

The next phase of consultation will include a wider public consultation on a draft strategy.