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Merton's Parks - Have Your Say
Future of Merton’s parks & green spaces
There is widespread concern among Friends groups and others about the implications of Merton Council’s proposed outsourcing of park and green space maintenance. We hope it is helpful to have an update on some of what is going on and a reminder of the opportunity we all have to input to the Council’s plans.
We understand six contractors have shown interest in the parks and green spaces maintenance contract for Merton and Sutton and detailed conversations will begin next month once the specification for the maintenance work required has been prepared.
We all have an important opportunity to input to this specification so it addresses the specific needs of the different parks and green spaces across Merton.
You may recall that Chris Lee, Merton Council’s Director of Environment and Regeneration, invited Friends groups to input into the specification. This was at a meeting called by Cabinet Member Andrew Judge on 2 April at Morden Assembly Hall.
Only a small number of responses have been made and it is important that everyone takes the opportunity to help define what will be required of the successful contractor.
We are advised by Andrew Judge that the specification will be ‘amended through the dialogue process’, so your input is urgently required if it is to be included.
We suggest you need to submit your views on the maintenance work which is essential in your area and to identify any specific issues or unusual aspects which need to be covered.
Andrew Judge has been clear that there should be no decline in current standards as a result of the changes and this is your chance to define what these are.
Your views should be sent to Merton’s Greenspaces Manager Doug Napier (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) as soon as possible.
We would ask that you copy us in so we can keep an overview of what is being submitted.
Looking ahead it is clear that Friends groups and others who care for Merton’s parks and green spaces will benefit from closer collaboration.
There is a growing number of people calling for a Merton Greenspaces Forum to be established independent of Merton Council with a view to sharing information and practical experience as well as presenting a more united front in future discussions about the borough’s parks and green spaces. This would build on the discussions last year led by Tony Leach from the London Parks and Green Spaces Forum.
We would be interested in your views on this suggestion.
Tony Burton – Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage and Chair, Wandle Valley Forum
Jane Plant – Friends of Ravensbury Park, Friends of the Canons and Volunteer Coordinator, Tree Warden Group Merton
