Green spaces future: We want to hear your views

The Council is preparing its strategy for parks and green spaces for the next 10 years and has designed a questionnaire which gives the opportunity for local people and organisations to be involved in shaping future plans.

The 18-point questionnaire, available on the front page of the Council's website, will help councillors and officers deliver the level of service that the people of Fenland tell us they want.

The questionnaire is the latest in a consultation process over the last six years that has played a major part in developing increased satisfaction levels in the way the Council looks after parks and green spaces across Fenland.

A similar survey back in 2001 showed that three out of four local people regularly used the districts parks and green spaces for sport, leisure and recreation. It also showed that 66 per cent of local people who completed the survey gave these areas the thumbs up, while 16 per cent of people thought they were poor.

In 2003 and 2005, similar surveys were conducted and revealed a trend of rising satisfaction levels. In 2003, 66 per cent of people gave the facilities and service the thumbs up, but only 15 per cent thought they were poor. In 2005, satisfaction levels shot up to 71 per cent, while dissatisfaction levels fell to 11 per cent.

To be eligible for a Green Flag Award, the public must be consulted on how parks and green spaces are provided and maintained. Consultation is an important part of the Council's forward planning process and this links corporate objectives with helping to secure new funding for the service. This is achieved either through the planning system or through external funding of projects by the Big Lottery and Heritage Lottery Schemes.

Once the consultation period is over, the strategy will consist of aims and objectives that will be addressed as part of a rolling programme of improvement over the next five years.

Fenland's residents have access to the Council's parks and green spaces which include:

- 134 hectares of parks, recreation grounds, green spaces and grassland.

- Two bandstands.

- Two bowling greens.

- Four football pitches.

- Four tennis courts.

- 48 play areas.

- Four BMX/skate parks.

- Seven cemeteries.

- 11 closed churchyards.

The Council also provides a wide range of services, including grounds maintenance; landscape design; tree maintenance on the highway and in housing areas; floral decorations and In-Bloom campaigns; playground design, management and maintenance; as well as looking after cemeteries, closed churchyards and sports pitches.

Cllr Peter Murphy, portfolio holder for Streets Ahead, said: "We are improving our service to the local community each year and by asking people what they want we are able to accurately and efficiently deliver tailored services and amenities. I would therefore encourage everyone to have a look at the draft strategy on our website at www.fenland.gov.uk and participate by filling in a questionnaire.