Council to consider Parks Foundation

Plans are being drawn up for a Parks Foundation to be set up in Brighton & Hove to attract funding for the city’s parks and open spaces.

The Foundation would lead fundraising initiatives aimed at attracting investment in the council’s parks and open spaces and could be set up by the end of the year.

Members of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee will decide whether to give the go ahead to progress the plans at a meeting on June 27.

The proposals are part of the council’s Open Spaces Strategy which was approved by committee members in January. The Strategy was drawn up following the council’s Big Conversation, when over 3,000 park users took the opportunity to have their say on how to protect and maintain the city’s parks and open spaces into the future.

Research has shown that a Foundation could be established quickly and easily with minimal financial commitment from the council.

If agreed, the Foundation would be chaired by the Chair of the council’s Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee – currently Councillor Gill Mitchell.

Three independent trustees would be also appointed to the Foundation Board which would be supported by officers from Brighton & Hove City Council.

Committee members are also being asked to consider a way forward to identify new management arrangements for the tennis courts in the city council’s parks.

This follows a consultation with representatives of the local tennis community and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) who agreed that there should be a city-wide approach to the provision of tennis in the city.

Members are being asked to give the go ahead for the LTA to work with tennis players to develop two volunteer led proposals and also to explore other options including working with local/community groups and professional organisations, or splitting the sites and opening up a new tender process.

A further report on tennis proposals would be brought to a future Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for a decision on the management arrangements.

Committee members will also be updated on other Open Spaces Strategy proposals including: allotments, cemeteries and churchyards, heritage, open space hire, outdoor sport and physical activity facilities, parks & gardens, sponsorship, advertising and donations and volunteering.