Today (11 July) the Communities and Local Government Select Committee announced its Inquiry on the future of public parks. The terms of reference of the Inquiry are available here.

The Parks Alliance has has welcomed the Inquiry and Mark Camley, Chair of The Parks Alliance, the national voice of UK parks, said:

‘Today’s announcement of the Select Committee Inquiry into Parks comes at a crucial moment. Parks, like other local government services, are widely valued but are under severe budget restrictions and we are now at a tipping point. If no action is taken, we will revert to the no go areas of parks such as in the 1980s.

 

‘Lack of funding and investment, has meant that there is a significant maintenance backlog, a skills deficit developing and a general decline in quality of Parks and green spaces. We have made that case already to the Minister with responsibility for Parks, Marcus Jones MP.

 

‘We all recognise the value of parks and the current funding crisis, but we need hard evidence and solutions to convince MPs, Ministers and wider decision makers. The Alliance will be gathering evidence and submitting it to the Inquiry and it is crucial all those that love parks get involved and offer solutions. All of us have a duty to seek answers to how parks might be financed in the future, what they might look like and how they will be managed.’