Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Philip Wadsworth, Infrastructure Delivery Manager.

Philip Wadsworth introduced the presentation and highlighted the following:

1)    The purpose of the strategy is to value our parks, open spaces, trees and waterways and to improve access for community groups, especially those considered hard to reach.

2)    The strategy is out for consultation over a 6-week period, ending on 11 January 2021. Feedback received to date includes comments from Friends of Parks Groups.

3)    The Climate Action Plan requires an increase of 20% in green areas and this strategy will be a key tool in achieving that aim.

4)    The range and number of open spaces in Enfield was highlighted, with only Barnet having more in London. There is more water in Enfield than any other borough including 5 reservoirs and 100km of rivers. There are also 20,000 street trees. Within 10 years, the strategy will ensure that Enfield is the greenest London Borough.

5)    The links between the Blue and Green Strategy and the Climate Action Plan were noted.

6)    A circuitous route is being planned to navigate the borough, to include many of the green spaces. One of the aims of the route is to improve access to Lea Valley Regional Park, especially for residents in the east of the borough.

7)    Other blue and green projects to be undertaken include, expansion of the borough’s cycle and pedestrian network to improve connectivity, the development of Enfield Sports Village within Enfield Playing Fields, the Enfield Chase woodland restoration programme and the wetland and river restoration programme.

8)    The Blue and Green Strategy will be adopted by Full Council in early 2021, with an action plan being developed during the year.

The Chair thanked Philip Wadsworth for the presentation and asked Members of the Scrutiny Panel for comments and questions.

9)    A comment was noted that with no measurable outcomes and the strategy still being out for consultation, there is little to scrutinise, for example areas of policy or delivery. It was confirmed that the purpose of the presentation was to obtain views of Members on the strategy and potentially any areas that have been omitted.

10)In response to a question, it was confirmed that the authors of the strategy would reflect on comments made in relation to farmland and front and rear gardens. It was confirmed that a Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. An explanation of this will be added to the glossary.

11)A comment was received that there is little, quality green space in the Edmonton area and this was acknowledged as one of the key challenges that the strategy will address.

12)It was confirmed that the development of the new Energy Recovery Facility will occupy the same footprint as the current incinerator plant, and therefore will not impinge on surrounding green spaces. Regarding emissions, there is greater concern about emissions from motor vehicles.

13)It was noted that the strategy sets out how the Climate Action Plan target of increasing blue-green infrastructure by 25% will be achieved.

14) In response to a question, it was confirmed that the strategy relates to developing existing green space and improving access, rather than building developments which will be included within the Local Plan.

15)The remediation of poor quality brown-field land will support the maximisation of food production.

16)It was confirmed that on-going consultation with Friends of Parks Groups is vital and a number of workshops will be held to obtain views and ideas from the groups, to inform the strategy document and action plan.

17) Following a question relating to electric charging points for motor vehicles, it was noted that this area forms part of the Climate Action Plan which has a commitment to roll-out more charging points.

18)It was noted that Enfield Town FC and Enfield Ignatian Rugby Club have been consulted with regarding the development of Enfield Sports Village and discussions are on-going.

19)Because of the current situation with the pandemic, face-to-face consultation has proved difficult, however, social media has been used, including a video on You Tube in relation to the strategy.

20)It was recognised that funding gaps will be a challenge, but with the Community Infrastructure Levy on housing developments and opportunities to access sources of external funding, this will be addressed.

21)In response to a question, it was noted that farmland would be considered before the strategy document is finalised.

22)It was confirmed that Capel Manor College have been consulted and appraised of the strategy.

23)The figure of 30 million visits to parks and open spaces annually is an estimated figure and it is recognised that more work has to be done to encourage hard to reach groups to visit and feel safe within parks.

24)A scheme called Little Forests where forests the size of tennis courts are planed was noted and the value of them in the east of the borough was emphasised.

25)The Chair thanked Officers for their presentation and responses but confirmed that as members still had a number of questions, these would be sent by email, along with any comments from residents. The responses would be noted and would inform  any recommendations the panel may have.