Contact Officer: Ian Brooke (Head of Leisure and Parks), 01865 252705, ibrooke@oxford.gov.uk

The Head of Leisure and Parks submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the Green Spaces Strategy. Ian Brooke presented the strategy to the Committee and explained its background.

Ian Brooke provided the following additional information and observations in answer to questions from members of the Committee:-

Biodiversity

The Countryside team had a lot of knowledge in this area. Stuart Fitzsimons had been working with Bucks, Berks and Oxford Wildlife Trust recently and there was always the option of buying in extra support if that was needed. The Tree Team has some very skilled officers who are able to care for and manage trees effectively.

Allotments

Leisure and Parks was aware that there was a waiting list for allotments and that three sites were no longer in use, however it was not possible at this stage to say whether or not it was possible to re-open the sites to cater for demand. A debate by Council would be needed to determine that.

It was noted that the Trap Ground allotments may possibly close.

Workforce

Leisure and Parks did employ unpaid interns. It should be recognised that, being in oxford, a lot of expertise was available to be tapped into; and the Council received regular requests form people who wished to work with it. The interns were unpaid because they gained valuable experience and the Council worked with them to help develop their skills.

The Council also provided apprenticeships and had the target of 10% of the Direct Services workforce to be apprentices.  A lot of hard work went into supporting these posts.

Underrepresented groups

Comments from the Committee about encouraging minority and underrepresented groups to use our green spaces were noted. However, these groups had complex and changing needs and there was not a single answer to the question “how do we encourage them?” It was acknowledged that further work with communities was needed, and that it was desirable to engage with people from an early age. It was also desirable for the Council, as a body, to have more diverse engagement with people because the Council wanted to encourage representative users. Surveys have been undertaken to understand the demographic and geographic need.

Town Greens and Friends Groups

There are some things that the Council as a body is unable to do in relation to Town Greens, but advice is available.  There are 2 Parks Development officers who are available to advise people seeking to set up “friends” groups.

Value Assessments

Parks have a real value to the community – social, economic, communal – that goes above and beyond being simple open spaces. It was noted that both Sefton and Birmingham Councils have carried out value assessments of their open spaces.

Open Spaces as a therapeutic environment

Comments about the value of “health walks”, some of which take place in oxford’s parks and open spaces were noted. It is a useful means by which diversity can be encouraged. Leisure and Parks would like to encourage more volunteers and voluntary schemes into the open spaces.

Also noted were comments from the Committee about the value of sensory gardens for people who were visually impaired. .

Recommendation to CEB

The Committee welcomed the strategy and RESOLVED to make the following recommendation to CEB:-

“To achieve the excellent ambition of access and use of our green spaces by all we need to prioritise engagement across all sectors and groups within Oxford’s communities.  Significant learning is required in this area and the committee would like to see, as a priority, a focus on this to allow the beneficial outcomes from green spaces to be enjoyed by all. “