Green spaces ranger positive step, councillor says

Councillor Peter Walton says the ranger could help with maintaining Sunderland's Cut Throat Dene

A ranger is to be appointed to help look after a community's green spaces.

The role, covering the Fulwell, Seaburn and South Bents areas of Sunderland for three years, will also have responsibility for the mending and painting of things such as seats and railings, as well as removing litter.

It is being funded with £50,000 from the city council's North Area Committee and local councillors' budgets.

The move follows the appointment of people to similar positions in the city's Sandhill, Millfield, Pallion and Doxford wards.

It has seen them carry out jobs such as installing and maintaining planters, which Fulwell councillor Peter Walton said would be helpful along Fulwell's High Street on Sea Road.

Helping 'fill gaps'

"Inevitably, local authorities don't find some of these issues easy to deal with," the Liberal Democrat said.

"It's no secret their funding is under strain.

"Working in support of the council, we see this as a very positive step that could help fill gaps.

"We might, for example, be able to allocate the ranger to jobs more quickly than the council could do it themselves."

He suggested the ranger could help improve popular nature spots such as Cut Throat Dene, as well as the seafront.

A shortlisting process in under way to select an organisation to provide the ranger, which will be a salaried role.

Labour-led Sunderland City Council has been approached for comment.