Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet Council has outlined a ten-year strategy for borough parks, while residents push for an extra month to contribute to the consultation on the long-term plan.
Alan Schneiderman, a press member for climate change and the terrain, stated that the council’s goal was to produce” high- quality, inclusive and sustainable premises and open spaces.”
Roughly 20% of the city’s area is made up of further than 250 premises and open spaces. Mill Hill Park and Cherry Tree Wood also entered Green Flag instruments this time, while a third of Barnet is a Green Belt.
A report outlines the objectives of the new plan, which include empowering communities, improving biodiversity, and improving wellness.
The overview and scrutiny committee chair, Emma Whysall, and committee member and Conservative Jennifer Grocock asked yesterday night (Thursday, 13th) if the consultation might be prolonged by one month. The consultation is set to begin soon and run until Christmas.
According to Cllr. Schneiderman, the “shorter period” resulted from the council’s eagerness to implement the plan and engagement, as seen by the report’s reference to the outcomes of a “first stage” of consultation.
According to Charlotte Daus, a member of the Labour committee, the results indicated that more amenities, including restrooms in parks, were desired, but problems were caused by vandalism and the expense of upkeep.
Respondents expressed support for more business endeavors, according to Cllr. Daus.
The council requested “more cafes,” and “there are plans for more cafes in parks,” Cllr. Schneiderman reassured the committee.
He said: “Where possible, when there are new cafes we do want cafe owners to be providing toilets that are accessible.
It’s very difficult when they’re [toilets] not part of cafes because, it’s sad, they do consistently get vandalised and the green spaces team do their best to keep those facilities maintained.”
Peter Zinkin, the leader of the Tory group and vice chair of the committee, stated that he could not perceive any “changes” in strategy from the previous one, which was developed by the Conservative administration.
After declaring “a lot” of the aims in the previous strategy’s action plan were not delivered, Cllr Schneiderman hit back, saying the council had created a deliverable strategy.
Cllr Schneiderman said: “That [previous] strategy was due to run out so we needed a new one, there’s a whole technical analysis that goes behind it and that feeds into the decisions we’re making on parks going forward.
We still believe in experts which is why we want that analysis; we don’t just want to make things up on a whim.”
He continued by saying that the plan was “guiding us on” the council’s need to know “how it should be spent and where” when resources were available.
After deliberations, the committee decided to suggest to the cabinet that the strategy consultation be extended by one month in order to determine whether any wards had “gaps” in their responses and to obtain more information on the first year of the action plan.
What changes would an extra consultation month allow?
A redundant month added to the discussion period for Barnet Council’s ten- time premises strategy would allow for extended community engagement and further comprehensive feedback collection from residents. This fresh time would enable residents who have yet to share or need further time to review the detailed proffers to give their views, icing a broader view.
The extension would also grease more detailed conversations at public meetings, conceivably further outreach events, and better openings to address residents’ enterprises or incorporate new ideas into the final strategy. The redundant month would strengthen popular participation and potentially lead to variations in the plan that more reflect community requirements.
A redundant discussion month would give residents further time and occasion to impact the city’s premises strategy, enhancing inclusivity and the quality of feedback before final opinions are made.