This Council notes:

1.     Trafford has an extensive and varied network of parks and greenspaces that are highly valued by the residents they serve, often receiving recognition beyond the borough.

2.     Assets in every sense of the word our parks and greenspaces have for many generations played a significant role in the lives of Trafford residents. The value of our parks and greenspaces was most recently highlighted during Covid lockdowns when they provided a haven in all our neighbourhoods for play, walking, exercising, and a place to clear your mind and relax.

3.     The physical nature of our parks is changing as we recognise their role in promoting biodiversity and respond to climate change.

4.     The long-term financial pressures faced by the Council impacts on the ability to invest in our parks and greenspaces, while the use of our parks is increasing we can see the decline of our parks and greenspace infrastructure.

This Council believes:

5.     Our parks and greenspaces should be safe, inclusive spaces that welcome residents of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.

6.     Parks and greenspaces play a key role in promoting good physical and mental health and wellbeing. They are places where residents can interact socially, reducing isolation for both young and old. Our parks and greenspaces are free to access, providing spaces to exercise formally and informally supporting our ambitions to get everyone moving more each day.

7.     We have demonstrated our commitment to protecting greenspaces through our applications for Fields in Trust status for the former William Wroe site, Turn Moss and Crossford Bridge

8.     For many of our residents living in urban areas our parks and greenspaces provide a unique opportunity to interact with wildlife, for example a key milestone for many is the simple act of feeding the ducks in the park. Our parks and greenspaces are key areas where we can promote biodiversity - seen within our development of ‘long grass regimes’ providing support to wildlife, our promotion of wild flower meadows and the ending of the use of glyphosates in parks.

9.     Our parks have a role in our response to climate change, as our weather gets more unpredictable our parks offer spaces where flood and heavy rainfall can be held to support our urban drainage systems.

10.   It’s important to continue to support our amazing network of Friends of Parks volunteers. We do this through the Friends of Park forum, through the provision of grants, for example since 2019 we have awarded 28 Inclusive Neighbourhood Grants to our Friends of Parks and through advice and support from Council and One Trafford Green Space Officers.

11.   We must continue to work in partnership with external funders and developers where possible to secure additional monies and expertise to develop our parks and greenspaces. Applying for any funding sources applicable to council parks and greenspaces.

12.   We must be open about the financial challenges facing the Council and the impact this has on the levels of investment into parks since 2010. Huge pressures on staffing, capital and revenue budgets mean we are not able to undertake all the work we would like to and have to manage investment through a rolling programme of repairs and our capital programme. We have to make priority decisions around repairs and investment.

13.   Back in 2016 a cross party select committee recognised that parks play a vital role in communities. We believe the government should recognise the value of parks and greenspaces and end the short term approach to funding, providing realistic, ring-fenced, funding to secure the future of our parks for generations to come.

This Council resolves to:

14.   Recognise and thank our partners and volunteer network of Friends of Parks for the essential work and support they provide across the borough.

15:   Thank our Council and One Trafford officers and operatives who provide a dedicated service within significant financial and staffing pressures.

16.   Afford our parks and greenspaces protection through our Local Plan.

17.   Promote bio-diversity by continuing to review and challenge the approach to how parks and greenspaces are managed, planted and developed.

18.   Work with One Trafford to develop sustainable drainage systems within parks and greenspaces. This will support our urban drainage systems, provide wildlife habitats and mitigate against the impact of flood and heavy rain within our parks and greenspaces.

19.   Continue to work with the Police through our Community Safety Team to tackle antisocial behaviour, applying youth work resources where possible.

20.   Despite the huge financial challenges facing Council budgets, continue to invest in capital and maintenance programmes. 

21.   Continue to find external funding opportunities and work with external partners such as City of Trees, The Conservation Volunteers, National Lottery and Sport England.

22.   Call on government to recognise the importance of parks and greenspaces and provide Councils with realistic long-term, ring-fenced funding to allow us to invest in our parks at a level that reflects their value to the residents and environment of Trafford.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes:

1.     Trafford has an extensive and varied network of parks and greenspaces that are highly valued by the residents they serve, often receiving recognition beyond the borough.

2.     Assets in every sense of the word our parks and greenspaces have for many generations played a significant role in the lives of Trafford residents. The value of our parks and greenspaces was most recently highlighted during Covid lockdowns when they provided a haven in all our neighbourhoods for play, walking, exercising, and a place to clear your mind and relax.

3.     The physical nature of our parks is changing as we recognise their role in promoting biodiversity and respond to climate change.

4.     The long-term financial pressures faced by the Council impacts on the ability to invest in our parks and greenspaces, while the use of our parks is increasing we can see the decline of our parks and greenspace infrastructure.

This Council believes:

5.     Our parks and greenspaces should be safe, inclusive spaces that welcome residents of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.

6.     Parks and greenspaces play a key role in promoting good physical and mental health and wellbeing. They are places where residents can interact socially, reducing isolation for both young and old. Our parks and greenspaces are free to access, providing spaces to exercise formally and informally supporting our ambitions to get everyone moving more each day.

7.     We have demonstrated our commitment to protecting greenspaces through our applications for Fields in Trust status for the former William Wroe site, Turn Moss and Crossford Bridge

8.     For many of our residents living in urban areas our parks and greenspaces provide a unique opportunity to interact with wildlife, for example a key milestone for many is the simple act of feeding the ducks in the park. Our parks and greenspaces are key areas where we can promote biodiversity - seen within our development of ‘long grass regimes’ providing support to wildlife, our promotion of wild flower meadows and the ending of the use of glyphosates in parks.

9.     Our parks have a role in our response to climate change, as our weather gets more unpredictable our parks offer spaces where flood and heavy rainfall can be held to support our urban drainage systems.

10.   It’s important to continue to support our amazing network of Friends of Parks volunteers. We do this through the Friends of Park forum, through the provision of grants, for example since 2019 we have awarded 28 Inclusive Neighbourhood Grants to our Friends of Parks and through advice and support from Council and One Trafford Green Space Officers.

11.   We must continue to work in partnership with external funders and developers where possible to secure additional monies and expertise to develop our parks and greenspaces. Applying for any funding sources applicable to council parks and greenspaces.

12.   We must be open about the financial challenges facing the Council and the impact this has on the levels of investment into parks since 2010. Huge pressures on staffing, capital and revenue budgets mean we are not able to undertake all the work we would like to and have to manage investment through a rolling programme of repairs and our capital programme. We have to make priority decisions around repairs and investment.

13.   Back in 2016 a cross party select committee recognised that parks play a vital role in communities. We believe the government should recognise the value of parks and greenspaces and end the short term approach to funding, providing realistic, ring-fenced funding to secure the future of our parks for generations to come.

This Council resolves to:

14.   Recognise and thank our partners and volunteer network of Friends of Parks for the essential work and support they provide across the borough.

15:   Thank our Council and One Trafford officers and operatives who provide a dedicated service within significant financial and staffing pressures.

16.   Afford our parks and greenspaces protection through our Local Plan.

17.   Promote bio-diversity by continuing to review and challenge the approach to how parks and greenspaces are managed, planted and developed.

18.   Work with One Trafford to develop sustainable drainage systems within parks and greenspaces. This will support our urban drainage systems, provide wildlife habitats and mitigate against the impact of flood and heavy rain within our parks and greenspaces.

19.   Continue to work with the Police through our Community Safety Team to tackle antisocial behaviour, applying youth work resources where possible.

20.   Despite the huge financial challenges facing Council budgets, continue to invest in capital and maintenance programmes. 

21.   Continue to find external funding opportunities and work with external partners such as City of Trees, The Conservation Volunteers, National Lottery and Sport England.

22.   Call on government to recognise the importance of parks and greenspaces and provide Councils with realistic long-term, ring-fenced funding to allow us to invest in our parks at a level that reflects their value to the residents and environment of Trafford.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that in respect of point 16 the following addition be made:

16.   Afford our parks and greenspaces protection through our Local Plan. Scrutiny Committee to be asked to review the cost and practicality of placing all our parks and green spaces in Field of Trust status as Liverpool City Council have done and report back to Executive by 1 January 2023 https://www.fieldsintrust.org/News/liverpool-city-council-pioneering-commitment-to-protect-all-parks-forever

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and was agreed unanimously. The substantive Motion was then put to the voted and was declared carried by unanimous consent.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes:

1.     Trafford has an extensive and varied network of parks and greenspaces that are highly valued by the residents they serve, often receiving recognition beyond the borough.

2.     Assets in every sense of the word our parks and greenspaces have for many generations played a significant role in the lives of Trafford residents. The value of our parks and greenspaces was most recently highlighted during Covid lockdowns when they provided a haven in all our neighbourhoods for play, walking, exercising, and a place to clear your mind and relax.

3.     The physical nature of our parks is changing as we recognise their role in promoting biodiversity and respond to climate change.

4.     The long-term financial pressures faced by the Council impacts on the ability to invest in our parks and greenspaces, while the use of our parks is increasing we can see the decline of our parks and greenspace infrastructure.

This Council believes:

5.     Our parks and greenspaces should be safe, inclusive spaces that welcome residents of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.

6.     Parks and greenspaces play a key role in promoting good physical and mental health and wellbeing. They are places where residents can interact socially, reducing isolation for both young and old. Our parks and greenspaces are free to access, providing spaces to exercise formally and informally supporting our ambitions to get everyone moving more each day.

7.     We have demonstrated our commitment to protecting greenspaces through our applications for Fields in Trust status for the former William Wroe site, Turn Moss and Crossford Bridge

8.     For many of our residents living in urban areas our parks and greenspaces provide a unique opportunity to interact with wildlife, for example a key milestone for many is the simple act of feeding the ducks in the park. Our parks and greenspaces are key areas where we can promote biodiversity - seen within our development of ‘long grass regimes’ providing support to wildlife, our promotion of wild flower meadows and the ending of the use of glyphosates in parks.

9.     Our parks have a role in our response to climate change, as our weather gets more unpredictable our parks offer spaces where flood and heavy rainfall can be held to support our urban drainage systems.

10.   It’s important to continue to support our amazing network of Friends of Parks volunteers. We do this through the Friends of Park forum, through the provision of grants, for example since 2019 we have awarded 28 Inclusive Neighbourhood Grants to our Friends of Parks and through advice and support from Council and One Trafford Green Space Officers.

11.   We must continue to work in partnership with external funders and developers where possible to secure additional monies and expertise to develop our parks and greenspaces. Applying for any funding sources applicable to council parks and greenspaces.

12.   We must be open about the financial challenges facing the Council and the impact this has on the levels of investment into parks since 2010. Huge pressures on staffing, capital and revenue budgets mean we are not able to undertake all the work we would like to and have to manage investment through a rolling programme of repairs and our capital programme. We have to make priority decisions around repairs and investment.

13.   Back in 2016 a cross party select committee recognised that parks play a vital role in communities. We believe the government should recognise the value of parks and greenspaces and end the short term approach to funding, providing realistic, ring-fenced funding to secure the future of our parks for generations to come.

This Council resolves to:

14.   Recognise and thank our partners and volunteer network of Friends of Parks for the essential work and support they provide across the borough.

15:   Thank our Council and One Trafford officers and operatives who provide a dedicated service within significant financial and staffing pressures.

16.   Afford our parks and greenspaces protection through our Local Plan. Scrutiny Committee to be asked to review the cost and practicality of placing all our parks and green spaces in Field of Trust status as Liverpool City Council have done and report back to Executive by 1 January 2023 https://www.fieldsintrust.org/News/liverpool-city-council-pioneering-commitment-to-protect-all-parks-forever

17.   Promote bio-diversity by continuing to review and challenge the approach to how parks and greenspaces are managed, planted and developed.

18.   Work with One Trafford to develop sustainable drainage systems within parks and greenspaces. This will support our urban drainage systems, provide wildlife habitats and mitigate against the impact of flood and heavy rain within our parks and greenspaces.

19.   Continue to work with the Police through our Community Safety Team to tackle antisocial behaviour, applying youth work resources where possible.

20.   Despite the huge financial challenges facing Council budgets, continue to invest in capital and maintenance programmes. 

21.   Continue to find external funding opportunities and work with external partners such as City of Trees, The Conservation Volunteers, National Lottery and Sport England.

22.   Call on government to recognise the importance of parks and greenspaces and provide Councils with realistic long-term, ring-fenced funding to allow us to invest in our parks at a level that reflects their value to the residents and environment of Trafford.