GreenSpace South East Open Meeting South Hill Park, Bracknell 13 June 2008

1. GreenSpace South East Open Meeting South Hill Park, Bracknell 13 June 2008

2. Surrey Group Mike Dawson, Surrey County Council Number of people on mailing lists – 45 Number of authorities involved – 12 Number of meetings held – 5 to date Meetings agreed – 3 per year Issues raised at meetings - - Benchmarking - Green Flag Awards - GreenSTAT - Foot and Mouth - Encroachments - Personnel Changes - Ancient Woodland - National Performance Indicator 197 on Biodiversity

3. Sussex Group Rupert Browning, Mid Sussex DC Number of people on mailing lists - 15 Number of authorities involved – So far average of 47% of potential 15 authorities Number of meetings held – average of 2 per annum Meetings agreed – next meeting agreed for summer in Brighton (date TBC) followed by one in Arun DC to view new Hotham Park restoration. Issues raised at meetings - - Travellers - impact on our services (and peace of mind) - Funding, Budget challenges, External Grants and Awards - sharing information - Playgrounds - relative numbers, how managed etc. - Section 106 agreements - sharing information and aiming for common approach - PPG17 - Progress of audits and making use of the information - Benchmarking/KPI's - GreenSTAT and other methodologies - Green Space Strategies - who has done them, sharing information - Combating drought - Best practice and sharing information

4. Hampshire Group Peter Curbishley, Hampshire County Council Number of people on mailing lists - 30. Forum has a page on the HCC website; minutes circulated to officers not able to attend the Forum and others interested within the participating authorities. Number of authorities involved - 11 Districts, 1 Unitary (Southampton) & the Hampshire Gardens Trust. Number of meetings held - 2 per annum, April & September; Forum commenced in April 2005. Issues raised at meetings - funding, management plans, green space strategies, youth work, strategic planning context/green infrastructure, liveability agenda, Local Dev framework policy, sustainability agenda, volunteers/Friends groups, landscape management skills/contractual arrangements; risk perceptions & design for low maintenance/low skills. CABE guidance etc discussed.

5. Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Group Ted Smith, Milton Keynes Council Number of people on mailing lists - 20 Number of authorities involved - 11 of potential 18 Number of meetings held since Oct 06 - 6 Meetings agreed - 3 per year Issues raised at meetings: - Partnership with Probation Services - Police, Community Action Groups - Green Flag Issues - Benchmarking & PI’s - Framework tendering - Tree Risk assessments - North West London Green Arc - TMA (Traffic Management Act) - Travellers - Grants & Awards - Play Strategies - Section 106 Agreements

6. Kent Group Jeff Kempster, Tunbridge Wells BC Meeting every 3 months exchanging views/ sharing issues. Have visited: Dartford - new stadium/green roof Thanet - reclaiming graveyard Shorne Country Park - Visitor centre and Bio fuel heating Dover - Possible HLF bid and cemetery/parks tour Excellent turnout with most Kent authorities participating Developed Web Communications Portal with 45 members Topics discussed: - Green Flag and management plans - Dog control - Biomass projects - fuel/wood burners - Survey tools/web surveys - Kent specific; changes to highway tree and verge management /roundabouts - Friends groups - Performance Indicators National/Local Next meeting July

7. Landscape Institute South East Rob Scott, Golder Associates New South East branch 1 April 2008 the boundaries of the Landscape Institutes local branches changed to fall in-line with regional government offices, and many other organisations. The new South East branch was born, with its membership being transferred from parts of what was the previous South East branch, the South West branch and the Midlands branch. The new branch covers the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent. Spread across that area are 748 Landscape Architects, making up the new branch membership. Hubs Oxon/Berks/Bucks Hants/ Surrey/ W Sussex E. Sussex/ Kent

8. National Association of Local Councils Steven Lugg ACMA FCMI Director Hampshire Association of Local Councils

9. Steering Group Update Helen Tranter, Bracknell Forest Borough Council & Chair of GreenSpace South East

10. GSSE -Terms of reference • Develop an information network • Disseminate good practice • Advocate for appropriate funding • Raise quality of green spaces • A strategic approach to planning and management • Structure, membership, working groups

11. GreenSpace • Advocates for parks and green spaces • Conferences & training events e.g.. TAES • Runs campaigns e.g.. ‘Love Parks Week’ • Produced Good Parks Guide • GreenSTAT • Spaces&Places • Website

12. GreenSpace South East Steering Group • Linked nationally through the National Forum • Promotes networking – sub regional groups • Links with other south east groups (Landscape Institute, Green Flag, LANTRA, CTS, Association of Local Councils) • Meets regularly • Organic growth, evolving well

13. GSSE – progress since last meeting • Sub regional groups developing well • Secret of success = site visit • Membership drive 18/78 authorities are members • £10,000 starting point for forum manager • Membership for other organisations under review • Constitution to remain informal • Feedback from members today

14. National issues • Meet lots of national agendas • But spread between DCMS, DCLG, DEFRA • DCLG funding for GreenSpace? • No Performance Indicators for parks • Local Area Agreements • ANGST - £20K per region • Green Infrastructure • New Initiatives e.g. play rangers

15. Pricing Structure

16. Green Flag updateon behalf of Derrick Spurr, Royal Parks • Green Flag being re-tendered • Alternative bids in • Every two years? • A light touch? • Comments to Derrick

17. Feedback • General comments • Appointment of forum manager • Pricing structure • Future events • Working groups?