Concern as parks face funding squeeze

Parks in deprived areas are most at risk

There are fear councils in north-east England will be among those hit hardest by cuts to funding for parks and green spaces.

A survey by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) found 85% of members expect budgets to be reduced by at least 5%, with some believing it could be as much as 15%.

With grant cuts and rising care costs putting a huge pressure on other services, parks in deprived areas are most at risk.

Stockton and Newcastle councils are among those raising concerns about the future of the service.

There are calls for park funding to be protected

APSE chief executive Mo Baines told BBC Politics North park funding should be protected.

She said: "They are an ill-health prevention issue for local authorities where people can exercise and socialise, it has a positive impact on physical activity and mental health.

"But it also has a positive impact on family budgets, because they can take children to the local park where they can source free entertainment, kick the ball about and feed the ducks."

'Telling off'

Concerns about Stockton's play provision were raised earlier this year when it emerged some of the area's 49 play areas might have to be removed to save money.

Conservative councillor Niall Innes described the report as a "well deserved telling off", and called on the Labour-led council to publish an outdoor play strategy.

Innes said the council should "start spending money that people put into the coffers on things that matter, like play parks".

The council said in a statement it was working through recommendations to shape future play provision.

The bandstand in Sunderland's Roker Park is inching slowly back to life

In Newcastle, the city council is reviewing an arrangement which transferred the parks estate to charity Urban Green in 2019.

The 10-year budget has already been used up, with the charity saying the pandemic damaged its ability to raise revenue through green spaces.

Colin Ferguson, the Liberal Democrat group leader at Newcastle City Council, said the Labour cabinet's original plan did not add up.

“They said it was going to save the city a million pounds a year," he said.

"What we are being told today is that it’s going to cost the city a million pounds a year to keep the parks running under the current model."

In a statement, Newcastle City Council said finances were under "severe pressure" but it was committed to making parks and allotments "attractive, welcoming places for everyone’s enjoyment".

A spokesperson for Urban Green Newcastle said it had been set up as an "innovative" approach to manage the city’s green spaces and was "engaging positively" with the council to deliver the best outcome for residents.

In Sunderland, councillors are due to discuss the next stage of the renovation of Roker Park's Grade II listed bandstand.

The restoration works were originally predicted to begin in March 2022 and take 12 months to complete, but were only approved in July. This week, councillors will discuss whether to move towards awarding a contract for the work.

Some work to Roker Park has gone ahead including the opening of a new café and the renovation of the boating lake.