Issue - meetings

Councillor Kemp introduced the recommendation of the Executive to support the motion submitted by Councillor Forster which proposed that Officers should be asked to investigate how to improve the Borough’s parks and open spaces so that more would be eligible for a Green Flag award.

The motion proposed that:

“This Council notes that more people than normal have enjoyed spending time in Woking’s parks since the first national lockdown was ordered due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Council acknowledges that one of the Borough’s open spaces, Brookwood Cemetery, has been granted a Green Flag Award, whereas in neighbouring Guildford Borough, ten of their parks have Green Flag Awards. The Council notes that our parks could be better managed for the residents who use them, the environment and future of our Borough.

Accordingly, this Council resolves to ask Officers to investigate how to improve the Borough’s parks and open spaces so more would be eligible for a Green Flag Award and enable local people to enjoy their leisure time in better public spaces.”

The recommendation was welcomed and it was

RESOLVED

That the Motion be supported.

Reporting Person – Corporate Leadership Team

At its meeting on 8 April 2021, the Council referred the following Notice of Motion to the Executive.

Councillor W Forster

“This Council notes that more people than normal have enjoyed spending time in Woking’s parks since the first national lockdown was ordered due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Council acknowledges that one of the Borough’s open spaces, Brookwood Cemetery, has been granted a Green Flag Award, whereas in neighbouring Guildford Borough, ten of their parks have Green Flag Awards.  The Council notes that our parks could be better managed for the residents who use them, the environment and future of our Borough.

Accordingly, this Council resolves to ask Officers to investigate how to improve the Borough’s parks and open spaces so more would be eligible for a Green Flag Award and enable local people to enjoy their leisure time in better public spaces.”

Councillor Forster attended the meeting and spoke in support of the Motion.  The Executive noted that the current environmental maintenance contract would come to an end in March 2023 and that there would be an opportunity to prepare the new tender specification with the Green Flag Award criteria in mind.  It was noted that there would be associated costs involved with Green Flag aspirations.  In the interim, Officers advised that standards of the Borough’s open spaces could be looked at.  Regarding resources, the Executive was informed that there was flexibility in the current contract.  The possibility of community involvement in any future Green Flag applications was suggested.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the Motion be supported.