Revised report due on Parks and Greenspaces

Sefton Council is preparing a revised report looking at the future of parks and greenspaces across the borough.

The previous report issued in July has been withdrawn and now Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing, has asked for a revised report to be written before any consultation starts.

Cllr Ian Moncur said: "We are extremely lucky in Sefton to have so many parks and open spaces, many of which are recognised through the Green Flag award scheme.

"In the last 5 years alone since the parks have been in my portfolio, we have witnessed a significant amount of investment and development in them.

"This includes more than £1.5m of new capital investment and £500k has been invested in providing parts and maintenance to our sites. In real terms we now have 16% more equipment in our parks than we did 5 years ago.

"Despite public parks having seen a reduction in budget, we have maintained a strong commitment to providing good opportunities for play.

"Obviously our parks and greenspaces mean so much to so many people in Sefton and beyond, and I want to make sure any consultation on the future of them is carried out as widespread as possible.

"We are not looking to close any parks in Sefton - far from it, this is about moving forward in the way we run them in the face of severe Government cuts.

"No decisions have yet been made and when we get to the point of consulting on this important topic, I sincerely hope local communities, partners and volunteering groups use the opportunity to propose ways in which they can help maintain their local parks and assets for the future.

"We have listened and want to get this right as we look to develop our many great parks and greenspaces for the future."

Sefton Council is having to find a further £64m worth of savings between 2017/2020 and is looking at how it provides numerous services across the borough.