Chief Executive of The Parks Trust Speaks at Parliament’s Communities and Local Government Committee

By Sarah Featley

David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, the self-funding charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ green spaces, gave evidence in Parliament to the Communities and Local Government Committee’s public parks inquiry.

This was the latest oral evidence session held by the Committee as it examines the impact of reduced local authority budgets on open spaces and considers concerns that the existence of public parks is under threat.

David was joined by Mark Walton, Director of Shared Assets and Alan Carter, Director of Portfolio Management for the Land Trust. Together, they gave their views on how to enhance and protect public parks, including alternative funding sources, and the benefits and challenges of different land management arrangements.

David commented: “It was a real privilege to be asked to give evidence to the Committee, and I believe it was a successful session where I was able to put across the advantages of a model like The Parks Trust, and the positive impact this has had on Milton Keynes as a place to live and work.

“Unfortunately, there are many other places in the UK where green space is not such a priority and public parks are in crisis. It’s therefore vital for the government to consider whether there are alternative options available for the management of parks that may be more successful.

“We believe that charitable trusts similar to The Parks Trust could work very well in other towns and cities. With vision, drive, cross party support, central government encouragement and a bit of central government money to oil the wheels, local authorities could establish successful parks trusts that could halt the decline in our wonderful urban parks. If local authorities could set our parks free, allow local people to have a big hand in how they are run and welcome others in to contribute, what a wonderful thing that would be!”

To watch the evidence session, please visit: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/5d9544c0-3c6e-4797-bc65-86cc39e373fd

The session with David Foster begins at 10.36.

For more information, please visit www.theparkstrust.com