Volunteers sought to help run cash-strapped council’s parks

York Council already has a voluntary support scheme in place but is now planning to expand the scheme and will let the community take the lead on the maintenance and development of its parks. The council is also planning to charge clubs £2,000 to maintain bowling greens as it struggles to balance its books.

However, it said bowling clubs would be able to choose to do some of the maintenance in return for a reduction in the costs.

Coun Sonja Crisp, the council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “The legacy of Government’s reduction in local authority funding means we must make £750,000 savings in the next two years which require a different approach to the way we run our parks, if they are to continue to flourish.

“An even greater level of community involvement in the management and operation of the parks, is being offered to communities.

“Along with a package of support and training, we want to work with these groups to ensure that the community’s parks are developed and animated in ways that meet local need and add 
to the quality of the environment.”

The Labour-run council is attempting to slash £20m from its budgets to counter the Government’s funding cuts over the next two years.

Under the authority’s parks plan the work will be divided between the council, the community and partners in the voluntary sector.

York Council will provide an overview and agree a management plans for each park with the community. The local authority will continue to ensure sites are safe by, for example, inspecting and caring for trees and power supplies, and will carry out necessary building and maintenance tasks.

Yesterday the council said officers would support the community groups and commission activities in parks that children and young people will be able to carry on, on their own. It will also help local communities and sports clubs work together to encourage appropriate events and festivals.

Partners including Community Payback, York Cares and wildlife charities will bring specialist skills and help tap into funding opportunities.

Volunteers will help fund-raise, lend a hand with maintenance and run events such as summer fairs, while managing and maintaining specific facilities such as buildings and bowling greens.

Each green costs the council around £7,000 a year to maintain.

A charge of £2,000 per green will be levied but a number of clubs will continue to use facilities such as pavilions at no charge.

Clubs can choose to do some of maintenance themselves if they prefer, which would be discounted off the charge.

A council spokesperson said: “The council has been offering support for clubs on running their affairs including building and retaining membership and, via the national governing body, funding opportunities.

“Horticultural training is also being offered for self maintenance of greens.

“Associations and clubs will be asked to confirm their intentions for the 2014 season this September; this will determine what winter maintenance is undertaken.”

Coun Crisp added: “Community involvement in the city’s parks is already strong and long-standing: friends groups at Rowntree Park and West Bank Park have been in existence for nearly 20 years; Tang Hall Residents’ Association has invested estate improvement money into Hull Road Park; bowlers at Clarence and West Bank Park have invested club funds into the greens, while Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has introduced food-growing projects at Glen Gardens and Hull Road Park.

“We want Green Flags flying in each park, under-pinned by strong community leadership.”

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