By Sarah Featley
David
Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, the self-funding charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ green
spaces, gave evidence in Parliament to the Communities and Local Government
Committee’s public parks inquiry.
This
was the latest oral evidence session held by the Committee as it examines the
impact of reduced local authority budgets on open spaces and considers concerns
that the existence of public parks is under threat.
David
was joined by Mark Walton, Director of Shared Assets and Alan Carter, Director
of Portfolio Management for the Land Trust. Together, they gave their views on how
to enhance and protect public parks, including alternative funding sources, and
the benefits and challenges of different land management arrangements.
David
commented: “It was a real privilege to be asked to give evidence to the
Committee, and I believe it was a successful session where I was able to put
across the advantages of a model like The Parks Trust, and the positive impact
this has had on Milton Keynes as a place to live and work.
“Unfortunately,
there are many other places in the UK where green space is not such a priority
and public parks are in crisis. It’s therefore vital for the government to
consider whether there are alternative options available for the management of
parks that may be more successful.
“We believe
that charitable trusts similar to The Parks Trust could work very well in other
towns and cities. With vision, drive, cross party support, central government
encouragement and a bit of central government money to oil the wheels, local
authorities could establish successful parks trusts that could halt the decline
in our wonderful urban parks. If local authorities could set our parks free,
allow local people to have a big hand in how they are run and welcome others in
to contribute, what a wonderful thing that would be!”
To
watch the evidence session, please visit: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/5d9544c0-3c6e-4797-bc65-86cc39e373fd
The session with David Foster begins at 10.36.
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