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Matter for
Decision
Cambridge had a significant number of open spaces, and some
of these now had established and active Friends Groups associated with
them. These groups undertook a range of
different site management support functions including ‘hands on’ days involving
operational tasks such as litter picking, vegetation management and site
surveying; and organising community events and activities. They also provided a
valuable conduit between the Council and the local community in terms of
shaping strategic documents, for example, site management plans and providing
membership feedback on public consultations.
The Council had undertaken a review of Friends Group
expectations and aspirations and associated support needs. The review results have been supplemented by
a recently convened city wide Friends Group Forum.
The Officer’s report highlighted the results of this work
and made recommendations to improve how the Council works with and supports
Friends Groups to deliver mutually shared management aims and objectives for
the city’s open spaces.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public
Places
i.
Approved the development of a joint protocol
which guides how the Council works with Friends Groups.
ii.
Instructed officers to:
a.
Support Friends Group to develop and adopt
written constitutions that are robust, democratic and accountable.
b.
Support Friends Groups to engage fully in the
review, development and implementation of existing and new open space
management plans and projects.
c.
Develop generic support documentation to aid the
sustainable development and functioning of strong, active Friends Groups.
d.
Hold a bi-annual Friends forum with guest
speakers and minutes circulated to aid communication.
e.
To establish a Friends Group website, including
online forum and generic and individual group pages/news, to aid communication.
Reason for the Decision
As set out in the Officer’s report.
Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Not applicable.
Scrutiny
Considerations
The Committee received a report from the Streets and Open Spaces Asset Manager.
In response to Members’ questions the Executive Councillor said the
following:
i.
Friends Groups were one of several contact points
for the council to liaise with when consulting with the community. They were a
valued contact group, but it was recognised they could not represent the views
of all stakeholders eg public realm users may travel
from outside of a ward to use facilities (eg play
areas).
ii.
The Officer’s report just listed Friends Groups
linked to open spaces. Once an assessment of good practice had been undertaken,
a model would be rolled out to other friends groups in future.
iii.
A workshop was proposed for Friends Groups on a
bi-annual basis with guest speakers to share good practice.
The Streets and Open Spaces Asset Manager signposted Sheffield City Council as an example of a council
that worked well with Friends Groups. The City Council had authority to adapt
their good practice models and use in Cambridge.
The Streets and Open Spaces Asset Manager was liaising
with the City Council Web Team to set up links to Friends Groups websites.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.
The Executive Councillor
approved the recommendations.
Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor
(and any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest
were declared by the Executive Councillor.