Parks and Open Spaces
Beacon Council 2002-2003
Improving Urban Green Spaces
Consultation
The DTLR's Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils said about Bexley "They have strong consultation mechanisms, with the views of the public (users and non-users of parks) being sought regularly and taken on board. The parks strategy was informed by thorough public consultations."
In preparing the Parks Strategy we undertook, a wide-ranging public consultation exercise between July and October 1998. As a consequence the Strategy emphasised the public's priorities; keeping heritage landscapes, protecting wildlife, consultation and community involvement, tackling the basic issues (litter, dog mess, and vandalism) and improving visitor attractions, information and events.
To make sure we keep in touch with peoples' concerns and interests, we repeated the main survey with the Residents Panel in Spring 2001. This survey also provided an opportunity to expand on the original by including questions to assist in identifying linkages which impact on quality of life issues and the use of outdoor sports facilities.
For many years we have actively encouraged and fostered 'Friends' and conservation groups to help develop parks and open spaces and care for the local environment .There has been a steady growth in the number of groups and we now have over 20, all of which work closely with the Council. We have initiated a number of community-based schemes with currently over 80 volunteers participating in 'clean-up' and environmental improvement projects in partnership with the Council. We have also developed strong links with many professional, commercial, Non Governmental Organisations and Charities.
One of the most important ways we engage with the public is through Local Agenda 21 (LA21). Bexley has taken a structured approach to LA21 with an Advisory Group, underpinned by Bexley's Environmental Forum and nine separate public Focus Groups, which are run by local residents and businesses. This approach promotes openness and empowers all sections of the community to work towards LA21. The Environmental Forum consists of representatives of all the Focus Groups, and enables the community and Council to take forward sustainability through extensive consultation and feedback and a range of practical initiatives and projects.
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