A Response (of kind) from Walsall Council

This is quite a long blog and heavy going in parts but please stick with it. It contains really important information about the future of our Green Spaces and Countryside Services.

You will remember that back on 12 December 2012, Cllr Mike Bird kindly allowed me to address the cabinet meeting. A full report of what I said can be found here.

I tabled two documents at the meeting; one from Walsall Network of Parks and Green Spaces, who represent the Friends and User Groups of Walsall's Green Spaces. This document was originally sent directly to the council and no response had been received at that time. The second was a list of ideas that had been put forward on the Facebook Group.

Please read. I'm not going to comment in full just yet but I believe there are some undertones in the email response to these two documents that do not bode well for the future of our Green Spaces and Countryside Services. Just read between the lines....

What must be remembered is that at the time of the meeting we were looking at cuts of £400K. That has been reduced to definite cuts of £300K. Some posts have been saved although confirmation of which posts those are is still awaited. It should also be noted that I have still not yet received a response from Cabinet about the contents of my presentation. The council response is in blue and italics.

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"Dear Ms Mason

I refer to the points raised in the two separate papers you left with the Council at the Cabinet meeting held on 12^th December 2012. This email provides a detailed response to both of these. I shall deal first with the paper headed ‘summary of Walsall network of parks and green spaces report to Jamie Morris and Mark Holden’."

So that there is no ambiguity I reproduce below the paper referred to:

"CONTEXT:

Representatives of the various Friends Groups met to discuss the priorities requested by Mark Holden(Head of Street Pride) at the last formal Network Meeting (30th September 2012).

Members were aware of the budgetary constraints in the present economic climate but considered that this made balanced, equable restructuring vital.

Whilst recognising that each Green Space presented individual requirements and concerns it was clear that certain issues were common to all. Please see below the key issues identified.

•The continued need to maintain the vital role played by the Greenspace Service in supporting
and developing individual sites was considered of paramount importance.
Some groups felt that without the expertise and knowledge of Greenspace personnel
they would find it difficult to continue. Concern was also expressed that the way in which
restructuring appears to be proceeding would impact upon staff morale and potentially lead
to the departure of skilled ‘green’ professionals which would prove a real loss to the Borough.
The groups wished to place on record their appreciation for the input which they had receive
in the past. It was also pointed out that without the input of GIS the substantial funding grants
obtained by Friends Groups might well be lost. In addition, their specialist knowledge, in relation
to the achievement of Green Flag awards was invaluable. Representatives expressed the hope
that the gaining and retaining of Green Flag status for as many sites as possible would remain
Council policy.

•The retention of the Ranger Service, as a key part of Greenspaces, was considered to be of
major importance for monitoring, enforcement and education input to a sense of visitor
security -a fact highlighted in the public response to surveys commissioned for the Green
Space Strategy Review. In addition several members stated that key public events held in their
green space were only made possible by the presence of Rangers and Greenspace officers,
who in the past had played important roles in staging and supporting events - often in their
own time. Consequently it was considered to be imperative that the Ranger Service remains
under the direct control of the Greenspace Service. Any suggestion that the roles of Gardeners
and Rangers could be combined would undermined the important function that each section
entailed e.g working as trained horticulturists and, in the case of Rangers, fulfilling the tasks
above. Certainly each section could and should work cooperatively but essentially their roles are
different.

•The Urban Forestry Unit is considered a vital service provider, not only supporting the volunteer
tree warden network that does so much to maintain areas of woodland but offering advice
and expertise in sites across the borough. Their status nationally and internationally raises the
profile of Walsall.

•Individual maintenance plans developed in consultation with the specific Friends Group that,
within the constraints of the available budget, meet the horticultural and environmental aims
of green space users and conform to the recommendations of the new Green Space Strategy - a document which needs to be shared more widely with all Friends Groups.

•Some continuity in staff deployment is needed to enable staff to respond to the needs of each
site. It was felt that this would also develop greater commitment and involvement with the
areas concerned.

• Members recognised that Walsall was fortunate in having very diverse Green Space with
varying requirements consequently the issue of official opening and closing policies produced
differing opinions. Issues such as Health, Safety and Criminal damage at times when the site was unsupervised were considered important. It was also considered vital that any sites with car-parking facilities should be locked at specific times to reduce anti-social behaviour. There was a general agreement that any staffing policy should respond to times of greatest use so that parks especially had a visible Ranger presence at the busiest times e.g. weekends, public and school holidays and throughout key events. All public consultation exercises have highlighted this as an area of major concern.

• As a result of the close working relationship between Friends Groups and officers of GIS
members felt that they had a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities within the service.
It was generally felt that this was not the case with regard to Street Pride despite the fact that
they had assumed responsibility for Grounds Maintenance in 2009.
Greater clarity of roles and responsibilities in this service was requested together with
information on budget breakdowns and maintenance schedules for individual sites. The view
was also expressed that future maintenance schedules should reflect the aims of the Green
Space Strategy especially with regard to environmental objectives.

The Green Space Strategy Review presents an ambitious and inspiring blue-print for the future of Walsall’s Greenspaces which, regardless of budget constraints, is not only achievable but offers an exciting way forward - something too valuable to be lost."

Back to the email and the response to this considered and well thought out paper prepared by the Network:

As you will be aware, Walsall Council, along with many others, has to make significant budget savings across all service areas including green spaces. To help inform this process, it has undertaken a major budget consultation process. The response was taken into account by Cabinet and Council in the preparation of its budget for 2013/14.

As you are aware, the management and maintenance of green spaces has been integrated into a broader Service area with responsibility for green spaces and associated activities across the whole of the borough.  The expanded service area will facilitate delivery of a more co-ordinated service, provide access to additional resources and offer greater flexibility to respond to operational requirements.

To this end, the expanded Service is currently being restructured as a result of which there will be a reduction in posts across the whole service area. Some roles will be changed to minimise impact and maximise service delivery. It is recognised that the green spaces and countryside service is important to Walsall’s future, as the recent Green Space Strategy highlights, and we recognise the importance of maintaining expertise and knowledge in these specialist areas. The importance of securing external finance is similarly recognised. Both of these have been important considerations in the restructuring process.

We will continue to work closely with community groups and every effort will continue to be made to ensure all green spaces remain well maintained, and are improved and developed within the available budget.

The expanded service area has access to more than 300 employees and associated equipment to support events. In order to deliver the level of savings required, it has been necessary to review and integrate roles and responsibilities and remove duplication so as to maximise efficiency.  The Senior Rangers, Senior Countryside Rangers and Neighbourhood Rangers will continue to liaise closely with Friends Groups and other third party organisations, supporting events and carrying out enforcement and educational activities. 

The Urban Forestry Service is an important part of Walsall’s future and its merger with Countryside Services has created a flexible and efficient section with responsibility for all trees within the borough including trees on highways, in parks and in woodlands.  This service is being supported by operational employees carrying out maintenance works and helping to deliver a sustainable woodland management programme.

Each park and green space site is both important and distinctive and the revised arrangements will maximise the presence of employees on each site. In turn, this will generate greater ownership and responsibility amongst the workforce and allow individuals to become more accountable and familiar with the respective Friends Groups.

The opening and closing of green space sites will remain unchanged in the short term but the activities will be carried out in a different way.  However, it is considered that a review of these arrangements is necessary as many parks currently have access when gates have been locked.

Working hours across the whole area are being reviewed in order to maximise available resources and site presence at times when they are most needed.

We welcome ideas from all groups with regards to savings options and priorities. Once the restructure is completed, my intention is to share and clarify roles, responsibilities and working relationships, together with appropriate budgets and aspirations for the future across the whole service area, with Friends Groups and others as appropriate. "

The email then turns to the paper tabled on ideas for savings and raising finances. I have put the idea first followed by the response.

1. Re-examination of management structures and back office jobs post Street Pride and Green Space merger, taking the opportunity to look seriously at the merger of senior management positions. Ensuring that the expertise of certain renowned sections of Green Spaces is maintained and utilised to its full extent.

1        The management and back office support for the combined Service have both been taken into account in the preparation of the proposed structure. Indeed, the former Street Pride Service has already seen a reduction in the number of Service Managers within the last 12 months or so. As such, I do not believe there to be further opportunities to reduce the employee costs any further for the time being at least. Expertise and experience within green spaces activities will be retained with the Green Space Improvements & Events Officer and the Countryside and Urban Forestry Manager, supported by experienced operational colleagues as required.

2. Introduction of a car parking fee at some sites.

Not all sites are appropriate but Barr Beacon with in excess of 150K visitors per annum is and the Arboretum also. The fee would not be intended to be excessive, say £1 for all day parking, therefore not prohibitive and cheaper than similar sites in neighbouring counties and  borough’s . Possibility of a season ticket for borough residents?
All monies collected after costs to be ring fenced for Green Spaces.

2        One of the actions within the current Green Space Strategy is to explore methods of raising additional income to reinvest into the service.  The implementation of car parking charges was considered for Barr Beacon last July. The assumption was that 125,000 car visits per year could be anticipated. However, the introduction of a charge was not supported by the Trust Management Group and so the proposal was not progressed.  Nevertheless, we will look to review car parking charges across all green space sites, including the Arboretum, as part of a future review of income.

3. New holistic and single strategy approach for grounds maintenance (as proposed and adopted in the new GS Strategy 2012-2017)

 Mowing frequency; designated areas where frequency of mowing is reduced.
 Wildflower meadows within formal parks as well as nature reserves.
 Shrub and hedge development.
 Less formal and civic planting.

3        The bringing together of the two former Services has created the opportunity to develop a new holistic ‘clean and green’ service. The intention is that all grounds maintenance activities will be consistent with the recently approved Green Space Strategy.

4.  Charging of professional users of Green Spaces

Many professional keep fit, military fitness, fat burner type bootcamp now use green spaces on a regular basis plus dog training/obedience classes. There should be a charge for doing this or alternatively a ban on any such use unless approved and licensed by (at a cost) or run by Council leisure based organised activities.

4        We are always looking to increase income across all areas including the use of green space sites.   We already charge for the Airport and Holland Park for use by dog clubs and for the Arboretum, Airport and Pelsall Common for use by keep-fit organisations. It is part of next year’s business plan to proactively pursue additional uses of green space sites with a view to securing additional income.

5. Development of Open Air Events

There seems to be a great desire for more open air events to be held in Walsall, not just at the large green spaces such as Barr Beacon, Aldridge Airport or the Arboretum where more musical concerts, boot sales and fairs could be run but at smaller spaces such as King George V.
Playing Fields, Willenhall Park and Holland Park where more local events such as small music events, craft events and sales could be held. Suggestions of similar type events held successfully in nearby places are the music events at Cannock Chase which attract big name acts.
It is not necessary for the Council itself to run such events. Outside promoters and organisers could be used, thereby taking on the financial risk but with some portion of any profits going back to the council. Having said that experienced staff are required (such as those currently in post) who have experience in the organisation of events and can advise accordingly.
The Bandstand Marathon was an enormous success with no risk involved for the council. Similar events run along similar lines could be held.
The council could also look at actively publicising the sorts of open spaces we have available for large open air events by large organisations such as horse eventing type shows and making a realistic charge for the use of the land and facilities.

5        The management and facilitation of events is planned to be reviewed next year with the potential for additional income to be a priority.  In the meantime, the Council is exploring opportunities to develop a programme of events for the refurbished Arboretum which builds on the success of the Bandstand Marathon. In addition, work has already commenced on the production of a Green Space marketing plan to improve the strategic marketing and promotion of Walsall’s green spaces including their potential for increased use as a venue for events and activities.

6. Closure of Top Hangar at Aldridge Airport and transferring the staff to other facilities within the borough.

As well as making building and maintenance savings, the building could then be let or changed into the sort of facility that events or green type industries would find useful to rent for long or short periods or for letting by new small businesses that need workshop space at low rents. Further research would be needed but this building could be very useful in getting new businesses of a workshop nature off the ground within the borough.

6        The Countryside Services and Urban Forestry Services teams are transferring to the existing Council depot in Brownhills.  This transfer is scheduled to be complete by the end of March 2013.  The Top Hanger will continue to be used in the short term with proposals to expand the fledgling timber processing and sales operations underway.  Partnerships with other organisations are also being considered to maximise the use and development of this site.

7. Development of Green Wood Skills Courses

There has been a revival in recent years of interest in traditional green wood type crafts and there is a shortage of available courses (suitably and prominently publicised!) in the local area apart from at Chasewater where this type of activity has become very popular. Foraging courses would also be popular if local free events are anything to go by and for the charges being made by private individuals offering such courses in the area. Again retention of appropriate staff would be paramount.

7        Green wood skills courses are becoming increasingly popular and we are looking to continue to develop these in several ways. We are also looking to expand our forest school programmes of education sessions and training courses, particularly at the Top Hanger and Lodge Wood which has been registered as a ForestSchool site.

8. Renting of pitches

Some green spaces are ideal for renting pitches for food and refreshments etc from mobile facilites.

8        We are currently reviewing the Green Spaces Pricing Policy which will look at a long term plan to maximise income from the hire and use of green space facilities and reduce the level of council subsidy on such things as sports bookings and use of buildings.

9. Charging for toilets

Making a small charge for using public facilities in green spaces where they are available.

9        The possibility of introducing charging for the use of toilets on green space sites will be included as part of the action within the current Green Space Strategy  to explore methods of raising additional income to reinvest into the service.

10. Promotion of Green Spaces for educational purposes

Many schools in Walsall feel the need to organise trips outside of the borough for the practical application of curriculum subjects for field studies. Walsall has a wealth of resources (such as wildlife, plant and insect habitat biodiversity, geological, old industrial, geographical )that are available on the doorstep that are suitable for many subjects. Charges could be made to schools for walks and explorations that are led by the appropriately qualified member of staff on an hourly basis. This would still be cheaper for the schools than travelling outside the borough.

10   Promotion of green spaces for educational purposes will continue with the production of a green space marketing plan to improve the strategic marketing and promotion of Walsall’s green spaces. This will include their potential for increased use as a venue for events and activities as referred to in point 5 above.

11. Spend a Penny

Not in the traditional sense but in an honesty box type sense. This is not an idea for charging residents to use their green spaces but to ask that each time they do use one they consider spending a penny as a donation towards the upkeep of the green space they are using. Anti-vandal type boxes could be installed for the purpose. It’s an idea that is similar to the voluntary donations that are requested at museums etc and very few people miss a penny.

11   The possibility of introducing some kind of donation system for users of our green spaces could also be considered as part of the Green Space Pricing Policy review. This may be an alternative to introducing charges but would need to be considered in terms of financial viability in respect of costs incurred for collecting the money compared with the amount of money received.

12. Not using agency staff and using internal resources only for consultation. The use of agency staff and external consultants is expensive. Overtime and time off in lieu for existing staff is cheaper.

12   The use of agency staff and consultants is continuously under review.  Where it is appropriate to do so and the appropriate skills are available, in-house resources are always used before agency staff or consultants are employed.  However, in some instances, it is financially more appropriate to use agency employees, so it is important that each occasion be considered on its merit.

13. Revisiting and renegotiating PPP contracts that were negotiated prior to the credit crunch and recession.

13   The green space service does not currently operate any PPP (Public Private Partnership) type contracts, but all of our contracts are reviewed on a regular basis and re-negotiated wherever necessary and possible.

I trust this response clarifies the Council’s position on the points you made."

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As points 12 and 13 were intended as a council wide saving and comment, I have asked for an appropriate response in that respect. It was never intended for the points to relate to Green Spaces only. I will publish the response when I receive it.

I think you will agree that there is plenty of food for thought and lots of discuss. Please feel free to email me at the address shown at the top of this blog or to comment on the Facebook Page. I look forward to hearing from you all!

Linda Mason

Working Together

This blog is written by Linda Mason in her capacity as acting Secretary of Friends of Park Lime Pits.

Last night after being assured that a suitable post surgery sitter for my partner had been found, I attended a very interesting and informative meeting of the Walsall Friends and User Group Network. Basically this is an umbrella group offering advice, support and a voice to all of the Green Space user and friends groups in Walsall.

I'm fairly certain a fair number of you were not aware of the existence of the Network but it is there and it is looking to become bigger, better, more supportive and to have more of a voice. After all, the Network in effect represents the interests of thousands of green space users in Walsall.

One of the speakers at the meeting was Sarah Royal of the Birmingham Open Spaces Forum.  BOSF is a very effective organisation and the aims of Walsall's Network are very similar if not the same. BOSF is a support group and meeting place for all of Birmingham's parks, playing fields, nature reserves, allotments and cemeteries  In other words Birmingham's Green Spaces. They started off very small back in 2006 and now encompass 150 groups throughout Birmingham and are a registered charity. They provide support, encouragement and a community voice for all of Birmingham's Green Spaces. They also work very closely with the council and have regular meetings with the Head of Parks, amongst others. They are a valued organisation at Birmingham Council because they are a community voice that really cannot be ignored.

Walsall's Network would like to plant it's own acorn in Walsall and nurture it into a mighty oak, speaking for all friends and user groups in the town. Working together, the Network could become a powerful voice that cannot be ignored by Walsall Council. To work in conjunction with the Council for the mutual benefit of everyone concerned and who love their own and all of Walsall's Green Spaces would be an incredible thing.

The Network will shortly publish details of its AGM and all Friends and User Groups are welcome to attend. This will be a social gathering too and there will be opportunities to seek advice and assistance for your own group. I will publicise all the details when I have them.

Some groups may feel that they have everything under control and don't need the Network. I can understand that, they're possibly doing very well with some very committed and knowledgeable volunteers. however things can and do change and very quickly, so I urge everyone to send a representative along. Not only can you share some of your experience with other new groups and less experienced volunteers but the old adage of 'united we stand' has never been more true in the current economic climate that we live in. We need to stand together, discuss our problems, share our solutions and plan with the Council, all together, in order that we can do our very best for Walsall's Green Spaces.

There may be some people out there and reading this that love their small green space be it an allotment, a community garden, a park, a playing field or a nature reserve or cemetery for which there is no friend or user group in existence. You're very welcome to come along and perhaps be enthused enough to form a group with help and assistance from others.

If you need more information then please do email me taxwizzard AT gmail DOT com or through the email shown at the top of this blog. Together with the Network and Walsall Council we can take Walsall's Green Spaces to a new level and look forward to a positive future of co-operation and the mutual benefits that will bring to all  green space users and future generations.

Correspondence with Cllr Anthony Harris

Those of you that check out the Facebook page for this campaign will know that last week I received a letter from Councillor Harris who is the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture in Walsall.

The letter is reproduced aside. (If you click on the image it will open in a larger format.)

My response to this email has been sent today and is reproduced below. I don't think I need to say anything more.

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"8 February 2013

Dear Councillor Harris,

With reference to your email dated 30 January 2013, I was disappointed with its contents on two levels.

Firstly, when I attended Cabinet on 12 December a promise was made to me in front of Cabinet that there would be a full response to my presentation, the ideas put forward on behalf of the Campaign and that ‘someone would get back to me’. Your email is not the response I was expecting. Nobody from the council either Officer or Councillor has even bothered to pick up a telephone and let me know the results of cabinet considerations and whether any of the ideas and opinions laid before Cabinet have been taken into account.

Secondly I am quite frankly shocked that you appear to oppose freedom of expression. As a UK citizen and resident of the Borough of Walsall I was unaware that if I voice my considered opinion I have to first give account to the local council!

Since receiving your email I have now been able to gain access to the article in the Express and Star and I have not been misquoted. However when speaking to the reporter I actually said an awful lot more, giving reasons for my criticism of the council. These comments were not printed. Perhaps you should take this up with the Express and Star rather than send me what I can only consider an attempt to bully me by email?

My opinions and criticism of the council and its decisions regarding Green Spaces are published in full and are extremely easy to find. I refer you to the campaign’s blog here http://savewalsallsgreenspaces.blogspot.co.uk/ and urge you to read in full why I think that the council’s decision to reduce Green Spaces budget by £300K is not enlightened but indeed, a travesty.

I made the decision to publish your email and this reply to you will also be published. I have conducted the Save Walsall’s Green Spaces campaign in full public view and tried to make information freely and readily available rather than being buried within pages of heavy tomes. Although I am not a paid and elected Councillor I have attempted to be open and frank with everyone and yes, to a certain degree accountable to those who have placed their trust in me in running the campaign. I feel very badly let down by the contents of your email and also by the Council, failing in its promises to keep me and the Campaign informed. In honesty I feel your conduct in this matter is unbecoming of an elected Councillor.

It has become clear whilst campaigning that people value a forum where they can obtain information and express opinions and ask questions about Walsall’s Green Spaces and so I shall continue what has been started albeit in a slightly different form. The point is Cllr Harris, we have a genuine love for Walsall’s Green Spaces. Many of us give up our time on a voluntary basis to work in them, to preserve the legacy for future generations and to promote their use. We do this freely and willingly. All that is expected in return is a little respect from the Council for whom we save thousands of pounds by doing what we do. We do not have to account to you. It is you that has to account to us.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Mason"

Battle lost but digging in for the long war ahead

This blog is written by Linda Mason. It is intended to offer an overall analysis of what this weeks announcements mean for Walsall's Green Spaces and is therefore by necessity a little long!

Beacon Way earlier this week

We now know the final proposals for the staffing of Green Spaces. This document was released this week by Walsall Council and combined with the announcement made at the full council meeting held on 7 January by Cllr Harris, we know what posts are going and what posts will be downgraded.

When the Express and Star called me in the week to ask for my views, the reporter was surprised that I wasn't pleased by what he referred to as a victory. Posts had been saved after all. Although I am pleased that two Senior Park Ranger's posts have been saved I am devastated that two Senior Countryside Rangers are to lose their jobs and seven Park Rangers are to see their jobs downgraded to that of Environmental Operatives.

Reading through the document it was interesting to read the cherry picked comments included and notice by their absence, the numerous comments that were copied and pasted from the Save Walsall's Green Spaces and Countryside Services Facebook page. Interesting because it is clear that many people (and I include Councillors in that description) really have no idea of the roles our Green Spaces staff play in ensuring that Walsall enjoys such a good reputation both locally and nationally and that we, as Walsall residents take for granted in having such diverse and well maintained green spaces on our doorsteps.

One comment read "the public who use the parks and nature reserves should help more." Walsall already has a very active set of user and friends groups who give up their time voluntarily to help maintain green spaces. What the commentator doesn't realise is that without expert staff supporting them, friends and user groups can only go so far. Think of all the residents who use our green spaces; dog walkers, children, the elderly amongst others. Some dog walkers can't even clear up their own dogs mess let alone be enticed to pick up a trowel and do a spot of weeding whilst exercising their pet. Are we to see legions of under five's tooling up with lawn mowers, scythes and chainsaws in order to keep their parks looking decent? Ten parks are to see outdoor gyms being built in the near future. Maybe whilst you're there doing a workout you could turn a hand to playground equipment maintenance and perhaps a little graffiti removal too?

Then there are the ignorant comments that just take your breath away suggesting that grass surfaces should be replaced by hard surfaces without any thought to the effect upon the environment by such action. Take away the insects home from underneath that grass and there is a knock on effect to the biodiversity of that area. Then there is localised flooding. We have all read that one of the reasons localities now flood more often is because too many lawns have been dug up to be replaced by two/three car drives. Clearly there is an awful lot of work to be done in educating people about their local environments.

The detailed and well considered  responses that I know were sent to the council as part of the budget consultation exercise are not there but rather than those being looked over for benign or uneducated comments to be included in the document I do wonder whether someone pressed a delete button. At figure 2, page 104, a figure is given of 172 responses in respect of the Councils proposals for Ground Maintenance and Green Spaces of which 78 were via the online form. Now I know that I copied and pasted comments from the Facebook page and I also sent links to various blogs where the subject was discussed and just for good measure copied and pasted the whole blog. It took me hours! I didn't keep a close count but can easily think of thirty odd responses just counting on my fingers and toes. I'm not one for conspiracy theories but taking into account how much our Campaign upset certain Senior Officers and Councillors I do allow myself a little ponder, particularly as no mention is made within the document of the detailed report made by the Walsall Network of Parks and Green Spaces, which made some extremely pertinent points as to how Green Space Strategy has been let down continuously since the take over by Street Pride and was prepared by experienced people who have worked tirelessly for many years to ensure that the best is made of Walsall's Green Spaces.

The document mentions that the council will shortly be examining the proposed Green Space Strategy for the next five years. When councillors read the proposed new strategy I urge them to delve a little deeper than the document they will be holding and to read all the recommendations made by the Future of Green Spaces Strategy Working Group and agreed by the Community Services Scrutiny Performance Panel because a lot has been lost along the way and the original agreed recommendations have been changed and watered down before being put to Cabinet, let alone all the councillors. Taking into account it is senior officers who prepare these documents I know where my finger points. Councillors can only form a view from what is placed before them by those who are employed as public servants to act in the interests of local residents. Unfortunately and in my opinion, little fiefdoms are being built by some so called public servants and scant regard is being paid to what the people actually want.

At present we have four Senior Countryside Rangers who amongst other things manage our local nature reserves. These are the slightly wilder and less manicured places that we enjoy such as The Dingle, Cuckoo's Nook, Park Lime Pits, Shire Oak Park, Hayhead Wood, Fibbersley, Rough Wood and Bentley Haye, Moorcroft, Barr Beacon, Pelsall North Common. From April there will be just two Senior Countryside Rangers which will mean their site management responsibilities will double. As a member of a local Friends Group I know how much we rely upon the support and guidance of our local SCR. I know that from April we're going to have a hard time with whoever is our nominated SCR being pulled from all directions to do what will be an impossible job. With a workload increase such as this all the very important but non-essential activities that an SCR does will go by the wayside. There will be much less job satisfaction and the experienced and talented set of people who currently work in Countryside services will want to seek out greener pastures, which means Walsall and its residents will lose something very valuable.

It is easy for anti social behaviour to go unnoticed in a LNR, to begin with at least. If SCRs are not able to patrol as regularly as they do now, I am concerned that illegal fly tipping, nasty behaviour and vandalism will not be nipped in the bud as it is currently and that our wonder LNRs will become areas that people (and especially unaccompanied women) will not want to risk a walk or cycle in. Coupled with the cuts to our local policing services the future does not look good.

As far as the parks are concerned we are led to believe that the saved posts will mean that there is full weekend cover and that there will be a presence in them. However when you dig below the surface a little, all is not as it seems. Firstly, without doubt the premier Borough park, the Arboretum is not affected. The staffing levels there will remain as they are now, so at least the Council will have one place in the Borough where all is well and can be displayed as an example of how wonderfully we are provided for. So what about the rest of the parks in the Borough? During the week the main, large parks in the borough will have a presence. Seven environmental operatives working 7.30 am to 5.30 pm five weekdays a week in the summer and 7.30 am to 3.30 pm four weekdays a week in winter, (no weekends) working  in seven parks, leaving one Senior Ranger and two Neighbourhood Rangers to cover everything and everywhere else including weekends. There are two shifts for the Rangers which means that hours of 7.15 am to 9.30 pm  in the summer for example are covered. It is these Rangers that will provide weekend cover, Yes, that's three people covering all the parks of Walsall with the exception of the Arboretum.

The relationships that have been steadfastly worked upon over the last few years by Rangers with the local disaffected youth will sadly be lost. How long before our parks once again succumb to vandalism and anti-social behaviour? Friends groups may be able to help but from my own experience it takes a brave mentality to tackle anti social behaviour when you're alone and without back up.

Elsewhere in the document detail is outlined of the capital improvement programme for Walsall's Green Spaces for the next four years and it is an ambitious programme that covers a great number of our Green Spaces including Blackwood Park, George Rose Park, High Heath Park, Holland Park, King George V Playing Fields, Kings Hill Park, Bentley Green Space, Oak Park and Walsall Wood, Palfrey Park, Pelsall Common, Pleck Park, Reedswood Park, The Croft, Willenhall Memorial Park. If the external funding that is required is achieved then there will be some major improvements made to these green spaces but as we know, you can build huge white elephant buildings that stay empty long after a capital investment has been made because nobody wants them. Are Walsall Council going to spend enormous amounts of money on capital projects only to see them under used and under utilised because there aren't sufficient staff around on a day to day basis to ensure that the investment is protected and nurtured?

There are other things of concern within the document. There is mention of ongoing service redesign to deliver operational efficiencies over the next four years. More cuts to front line staff? Apparently there is no need for a management post restructuring because there was a major management re-organisation in 2009/10 and yet since then Street Pride and Green Spaces have been 'merged' and yet the only management posts that have disappeared have been those that were previously Green Spaces. Why?

I feel for the reasons outlined above that there has been no victory. We have lost a battle but it looks as though we have a long war ahead of us. Walsall's Green Spaces and Countryside services have not yet been saved. We have to continue with this campaign and become a thorn in the flesh of those who do not understand, do not want to understand and of empire builders.

Walsall has a lot be proud of when it comes to its Green Spaces which is why we have to protect them and the staff that look after them. It is said that Green Spaces are not a critical service and yet it links in with so many other services that are, such as health provision, education, inclusion, that it is indeed a critical service. As I said in my own personal blog a few months ago, you don't know what you've got til it's gone......

News report on last night's Council meeting

Not as much coverage as previously .... this article can be found on page 14 of Thursday 13th December's issue of the Express & Star (Walsall edition)

Cabinet Meeting 12th December 2012

Cllr Mike Bird kindly allowed me to address the Cabinet Meeting this evening where the draft budget proposals were discussed.

The following is more or less what I said to them:


"Thank you for allowing me to speak to you this evening.

I’m here to represent the Save Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services campaign, which I started and also Walsall Network of Parks and Green Spaces.

I’m passionate about Walsall’s Green Spaces, hence the campaign, which isn’t just about opposing proposed cuts but also to celebrate the wonderful asset Walsall’s green spaces are. The campaign has grown from nothing to an active Facebook Group of 188 members, a blog and an e-petition on the Council’s web site signed by 175 people.

Following the successful implementation of the first GS strategy by Walsall Council, the GS team and their expertise have received wide recognition and Walsall is seen as a case study in best practice.

We fully understand that government policy is such, that savings have to be found but what we don’t understand are proposals that appear to have been formulated without fully understanding the role of both park and countryside rangers and how reducing such posts could lead to the decline of some GS.

We do have ideas as to how financial savings would be better sought from other areas and also for raising money in order to off set some of the savings that need to be made and I’ll give you a  list of ideas that have been debated. We don’t have the expertise available as to how the ideas could be implemented but you do.

Looking at the budget proposals and the recent merger of green spaces with street pride ,it is evident that recommendations made by the Future of GS Strategy Working Group and agreed by the Community Services Scrutiny and Performance Panel, plus the views put forward by the Network of Parks and GS(whose report I have here to give to you), have been ignored. Street Pride, seen by many as the takeover partner in the recent merger, are making decisions about the structure and function of GS  without taking into account the expertise and experience of the GS team in anti social behaviour, optimum working patterns, visitor numbers, GS maintenance and specialist events.

To try and understand I would like explain what these front line staff of Countryside and Park Rangers do. Countryside Rangers are usually an expert in fields such as animals, botany or forestry for example.  They bring with them a wealth of experience which has seen Walsall Council receive plaudits and praise from around the UK for the imaginative and important work that they do. The CS Rangers patrol and inspect GS sites (at the moment about 6 each), they arrange for any problems to be dealt with straight away. They liaise with many people including Friends and User Groups, local natural history groups, other council departments, trusts, Natural England, landowners and farmers. They prepare and apply work programmes and arrange habitat management. They arrange and attend events on GS sites and then they have all the admin work too. This is just a snapshot of some of their work but importantly they undertake a  great deal of extra work, especially the liaison with Friends and User Groups, outside of normal working hours and the voluntary improvement and maintenance work that the groups do could be curtailed. With fewer of them, they are going to be spread thinly and be unable to carry out all of the duties needed  for each site. Without CS Rangers, Friends and User groups are rudderless and could unwittingly cause damage.

Turning to park rangers, many people just see the more visible work that they do maintaining parks, gardens, and equipment. They start work at 7.15 am making sure that their parks are fit for public use and in summer remain until 9.30 pm ensuring that their parks stay safe plus they provide full weekend cover. What most don’t appreciate is the enormous amount of work done by them in the last few years in reducing anti-social behaviour. They approach disaffected youths, ask why they feel it is OK to drink alcohol, smoke cannabis, smash glass on play areas and vandalise play equipment. They organise kick abouts, building up relationships, gaining trust, forming bonds and being an open ear. Gradually through this, anti-social behaviour has been reduced, meaning that parks are a more attractive place for users, thereby increasing the use of them.

Which brings me to an important point. Walsall’s GS are the most frequently used cultural and leisure facility in the borough. The borough has a problem with the health of its residents and with obesity in particular. If GS are less attractive to users  you lose in improving the health and wellbeing of the residents.

It is all very well to say that there will be an increased presence in GS under the proposals by using environmental operatives instead of park rangers but this fails to take into account two important points. Firstly the EO’s will not be assigned to one particular GS but will work throughout the borough.There is little opportunity therefore for the building and nurturing of relationships with the disaffected. Secondly EOs summer working hours of 7.30 to 5.30 five days a week, no weekend cover and  winter to 3.30 on four days a week, no weekend cover, do not reflect the reality of park use. CCTV although useful, cannot build and nurture the relationships that has led to a  decrease in anti-social behaviour.

It is no use maintaining a presence, visible or otherwise unless the presence is informed, educated, fully trained,experienced.

The insurance and personal safety implications of possibly using residents to open and close GS needs to be examined thoroughly. The ubiquitous advert states that where there’s blame, there’s a claim. An unfortunate incident could cost the council far more in the long term plus there is always the chance that the goodwill of residents and friends and user groups could be lost if they are utilised in such a way and then taken or perceived to be taken advantage of.

There does not appear to have been a major management restructuring exercise carried out since the merger and this needs re-examining. If financial efficiencies are required it makes sense to look at backroom jobs and if the structure of the organisation is efficient from the top to the bottom. Traditional management structures tend to be triangular in nature but from what we can see the triangular structure of street pride under the proposals you are considering are inverted. We therefore urge you to look at where savings can really be made, in management and backroom posts, rather than by reducing front line staff.

We ask you to question how posts have been reallocated during this proposal exercise, has it been done in a way that will benefit the users? What criteria has been used? Who has made these decisions and are they the best qualified and experienced in the field to do so? Have the views of different groups been considered properly? Have recommendations made by your own steering groups been adhered to and accounted for? Moreover, have the views and remarks of your Chief Executive Paul Sheehan in the most recent corporate plan been adhered too?  And I quote:
“ Whilst change is both inevitable and desirable what remains constant is the fact that we exist as an organisation only to service you, the residents of Walsall. All that we do should be for your benefit - to support you in living healthy lifestyles, to give increased access to better jobs and to make your neighbourhoods better places to live.”"

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The following is the document tabled on ideas for savings and raising finances:


1. Re-examination of management structures and back office jobs post Street Pride and Green Space merger, taking the opportunity to look seriously at the merger of senior management positions. Ensuring that the expertise of certain renowned sections of Green Spaces is maintained and utilised to its full extent.

2. Introduction of a car parking fee at some sites.

Not all sites are appropriate but Barr Beacon with in excess of 150K visitors per annum is and the Arboretum also. The fee would not be intended to be excessive, say £1 for all day parking, therefore not prohibitive and cheaper than similar sites in neighbouring counties and  borough’s . Possibility of a season ticket for borough residents?
All monies collected after costs to be ring fenced for Green Spaces.

3. New holistic and single strategy approach for grounds maintenance (as proposed and adopted in the new GS Strategy 2012-2017)

 Mowing frequency; designated areas where frequency of mowing is reduced.
 Wildflower meadows within formal parks as well as nature reserves.
 Shrub and hedge development.
 Less formal and civic planting.

The advantage of reducing costs in this area is that biodiversity and additional habitats would be created.

4.  Charging of professional users of Green Spaces

Many professional keep fit, military fitness, fat burner type bootcamp now use green spaces on a regular basis plus dog training/obedience classes. There should be a charge for doing this or alternatively a ban on any such use unless approved and licensed by (at a cost) or run by Council leisure based organised activities.

5. Development of Open Air Events

There seems to be a great desire for more open air events to be held in Walsall, not just at the large green spaces such as Barr Beacon, Aldridge Airport or the Arboretum where more musical concerts, boot sales and fairs could be run but at smaller spaces such as King George V.
Playing Fields, Willenhall Park and Holland Park where more local events such as small music events, craft events and sales could be held. Suggestions of similar type events held successfully in nearby places are the music events at Cannock Chase which attract big name acts.
It is not necessary for the Council itself to run such events. Outside promoters and organisers could be used, thereby taking on the financial risk but with some portion of any profits going back to the council. Having said that experienced staff are required (such as those currently in post) who have experience in the organisation of events and can advise accordingly.
The Bandstand Marathon was an enormous success with no risk involved for the council. Similar events run along similar lines could be held.
The council could also look at actively publicising the sorts of open spaces we have available for large open air events by large organisations such as horse eventing type shows and making a realistic charge for the use of the land and facilities.

6. Closure of Top Hangar at Aldridge Airport and transferring the staff to other facilities within the borough.

As well as making building and maintenance savings, the building could then be let or changed into the sort of facility that events or green type industries would find useful to rent for long or short periods or for letting by new small businesses that need workshop space at low rents. Further research would be needed but this building could be very useful in getting new businesses of a workshop nature off the ground within the borough.

7. Development of Green Wood Skills Courses

There has been a revival in recent years of interest in traditional green wood type crafts and there is a shortage of available courses (suitably and prominently publicised!) in the local area apart from at Chasewater where this type of activity has become very popular. Foraging courses would also be popular if local free events are anything to go by and for the charges being made by private individuals offering such courses in the area. Again retention of appropriate staff would be paramount.

8. Renting of pitches

Some green spaces are ideal for renting pitches for food and refreshments etc from mobile facilites.

9. Charging for toilets

Making a small charge for using public facilities in green spaces where they are available.

10. Promotion of Green Spaces for educational purposes

Many schools in Walsall feel the need to organise trips outside of the borough for the practical application of curriculum subjects for field studies. Walsall has a wealth of resources (such as wildlife, plant and insect habitat biodiversity, geological, old industrial, geographical )that are available on the doorstep that are suitable for many subjects. Charges could be made to schools for walks and explorations that are led by the appropriately qualified member of staff on an hourly basis. This would still be cheaper for the schools than travelling outside the borough.

11. Spend a Penny

Not in the traditional sense but in an honesty box type sense. This is not an idea for charging residents to use their green spaces but to ask that each time they do use one they consider spending a penny as a donation towards the upkeep of the green space they are using. Anti-vandal type boxes could be installed for the purpose. It’s an idea that is similar to the voluntary donations that are requested at museums etc and very few people miss a penny.

12. Not using agency staff and using internal resources only for consultation. The use of agency staff and external consultants is expensive. Overtime and time off in lieu for existing staff is cheaper.

13. Revisiting and renegotiating PPP contracts that were negotiated prior to the credit crunch and recession.


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And finally this is the report prepared by the Walsall Network of Parks and Greenspaces:


"CONTEXT:

Representatives of the various Friends Groups met to discuss the priorities requested by Mark Holden(Head of Street Pride) at the last formal Network Meeting (30th September 2012).

Members were aware of the budgetary constraints in the present economic climate but considered that this made balanced, equable restructuring vital.

Whilst recognising that each Green Space presented individual requirements and concerns it was clear that certain issues were common to all. Please see below the key issues identified.

•The continued need to maintain the vital role played by the Greenspace Service in supporting
and developing individual sites was considered of paramount importance.
Some groups felt that without the expertise and knowledge of Greenspace personnel
they would find it difficult to continue. Concern was also expressed that the way in which
restructuring appears to be proceeding would impact upon staff morale and potentially lead
to the departure of skilled ‘green’ professionals which would prove a real loss to the Borough.
The groups wished to place on record their appreciation for the input which they had receive
in the past. It was also pointed out that without the input of GIS the substantial funding grants
obtained by Friends Groups might well be lost. In addition, their specialist knowledge, in relation
to the achievement of Green Flag awards was invaluable. Representatives expressed the hope
that the gaining and retaining of Green Flag status for as many sites as possible would remain
Council policy.

•The retention of the Ranger Service, as a key part of Greenspaces, was considered to be of
major importance for monitoring, enforcement and education input to a sense of visitor
security -a fact highlighted in the public response to surveys commissioned for the Green
Space Strategy Review. In addition several members stated that key public events held in their
green space were only made possible by the presence of Rangers and Greenspace officers,
who in the past had played important roles in staging and supporting events - often in their
own time. Consequently it was considered to be imperative that the Ranger Service remains
under the direct control of the Greenspace Service. Any suggestion that the roles of Gardeners
and Rangers could be combined would undermined the important function that each section
entailed e.g working as trained horticulturists and, in the case of Rangers, fulfilling the tasks
above. Certainly each section could and should work cooperatively but essentially their roles are
different.

•The Urban Forestry Unit is considered a vital service provider, not only supporting the volunteer
tree warden network that does so much to maintain areas of woodland but offering advice
and expertise in sites across the borough. Their status nationally and internationally raises the
profile of Walsall.

•Individual maintenance plans developed in consultation with the specific Friends Group that,
within the constraints of the available budget, meet the horticultural and environmental aims
of green space users and conform to the recommendations of the new Green Space Strategy - a document which needs to be shared more widely with all Friends Groups.

•Some continuity in staff deployment is needed to enable staff to respond to the needs of each
site. It was felt that this would also develop greater commitment and involvement with the
areas concerned.

• Members recognised that Walsall was fortunate in having very diverse Green Space with
varying requirements consequently the issue of official opening and closing policies produced
differing opinions. Issues such as Health, Safety and Criminal damage at times when the site was unsupervised were considered important. It was also considered vital that any sites with car-parking facilities should be locked at specific times to reduce anti-social behaviour. There was a general agreement that any staffing policy should respond to times of greatest use so that parks especially had a visible Ranger presence at the busiest times e.g. weekends, public and school holidays and throughout key events. All public consultation exercises have highlighted this as an area of major concern.

• As a result of the close working relationship between Friends Groups and officers of GIS
members felt that they had a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities within the service.
It was generally felt that this was not the case with regard to Street Pride despite the fact that
they had assumed responsibility for Grounds Maintenance in 2009.
Greater clarity of roles and responsibilities in this service was requested together with
information on budget breakdowns and maintenance schedules for individual sites. The view
was also expressed that future maintenance schedules should reflect the aims of the Green
Space Strategy especially with regard to environmental objectives.

The Green Space Strategy Review presents an ambitious and inspiring blue-print for the future of Walsall’s Greenspaces which, regardless of budget constraints, is not only achievable but offers an exciting way forward - something too valuable to be lost."

Linda Mason