Richard Benyon

Natural Environment and Fisheries

DEFRA

Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London SW1P 3JR

2^nd August 2012

Dear Richard,

I have recently added my name to Early Day Motion 219 which reads as follows:

That this House is concerned about the damage being caused to Britain's urban parks and green spaces by disproportionate cuts to their maintenance in local government budget savings, the loss of skills in professional horticulture in the public sector through staff redundancies and the lack of investment in parks, negatively impacting on health, social well-being and community cohesion; notes that, for example, London parks budgets have fallen by 44 per cent in the past four years while Liverpool has lost a third of its parks budget in the last two years along with 65 parks staff; recognises the challenge for green space professionals with the absence of a national level department, body or function with a watching brief for the UK's urban parks; and calls on the Government to address these concerns in a new inquiry into urban parks.

Brighton Pavilion is home to some wonderful parks and I want to ensure that they can be properly maintained and developed for many generations to come. 

Yet 80% of park managers nationally are predicting quality standards will fall, as staff become unable to deal with vandalism and ongoing maintenance. 50% are expecting a drop in public perceptions of safety.

There is a risk of some parks becoming no-go areas for children, families and old people too. Moreover, cuts to parks maintenance budgets are being exacerbated by the absence at national level of any department, body or function with a watching brief for Britain’s urban parks.

I would welcome your comments on this EDM and the other points I have raised, which I will forward on to constituents who have written to me to express support for our urban parks.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas MP Brighton Pavilion

Read the ministerial response here.