Green+Spaces+-+The+Friends+of+Parks+Forum+-+New+Ads+Threat+(13.12.08)

13.12.08
 * New ads threat to green spaces **
 * - residents' groups object to advertising signs In Haringey's green spaces **
 * - they call instead for increases, not cuts, to the parks operational budget **


 * The Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, backed by the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations, have objected to a renewed drive by Haringey Council to seek advertising and sponsorship in or around parks, green spaces, flower beds and verges. Their joint letter of objection has been sent this week to Cllr Dhiren Basu, and all other Haringey Cllrs, Haringey's Friends of Parks Groups, and Haringey's Residents Associations.**

According to the Council's Pre Business Plan Review 2009-12, currently being discussed by Councillors, the Council proposes to continue the highly-controversial scheme first introduced in April, and extend it from the present roadside sites into some of the borough's parks. This new threat has caused outrage among many of the borough's Friends groups.

The objections are that such advertising:

- seriously disfigures green spaces and is a threat to their integrity - makes a laughing stock of the Council's 'Greenest Borough' publicity (which claims to promote green spaces and aims to remove environmental clutter) - undermines the work of Friends groups and others who try to green their local streetscape and green spaces - is an insult to the intelligence of the borough's residents

The Council is aware that this is a highly controversial measure, but is forging ahead regardless of the views of Friends groups and residents generally. The Forum objected to this when it was first floated earlier this year, and some Friends groups indicated at that time that they would support 'direct action' to protect their green space from any advertising signs. The Council promised to the Forum in May 2008 that the hated money-making scheme would not be extended to parks. This promise will be broken if the revised scheme is not scrapped.

In addition the Forum notes that the core funding for the borough's parks is wholly inadequate, and is almost the lowest '//relative to nearest neighbours / London (14)'//. According to the Review, Haringey's budget is only around £13.63 per resident compared to the range of £12.81 - £29.42 allocated by other London boroughs. Yet the Review proposes to reduce this budget even further, for example proposing an //'8-10% cost reduction in grounds maintenance'.// It is clear that unacceptable efforts to make money from adverts in green spaces is a desperation measure to compensate for unacceptable cuts and the lack of adequate core funding.

The Forum and Federation call for the basic parks budget to be significantly raised to ensure adequate maintenance and management of all our open green spaces.

//'This is a highly inappropriate and shocking proposal which needs to be cancelled immediately. Green spaces are for relaxing in and enjoying the beauty of a natural environment. People want to get away from the pressures of the rat race, including the constant bombardment of advertising.'// - Joan Curtis, Secretary of the Haringey Friends of Parks Forum

__Appendix 1__

The letter of objection:

To: Councillor Basu - Cabinet Member for Haringey's Parks cc: John Morris, Andrew Gill and Paul Ely [Recreation Services], Niall Bolger [Urban Environment] bcc: Haringey Cllrs, Haringey's Friends of Parks Groups, Haringey's Residents Associations

13.12.2008


 * Objection to Advertising Signs In Haringey's Green Spaces **
 * - instead, adequate core funding for green spaces must be allocated in the current LBH 'Pre- Business Plan' Review**

We understand that the Council is considering [in its Pre Business Plan Review 2009-12] increasing the number of large, invasive advertising signs in planters and other green spaces in Haringey's street scene, and extending the controversial measure to parks sites. The adverts consist of oblong boards between three quarters of a metre and a metre wide, raised a foot or two above the ground. They dominate and ruin the green space within which they are constructed.

We would strongly urge against this policy which:

- seriously disfigures green spaces and is a threat to their integrity - makes a laughing stock of the Council's 'Greenest Borough' publicity (which claims to promote green spaces and aims to remove environmental clutter) - undermines the work of Friends groups and others who try to green their local streetscape and green spaces - is an insult to the intelligence of the borough's residents

Earlier this year The Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, supported by the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations, opposed the original proposal for these adverts. The Haringey Friends of Parks Forum were told then that the scheme would not be used in any of the borough's parks. The current proposal therefore breaks a promise made to the Forum.

The Parks Department has successfully worked in partnership with many local groups and individuals as part of a borough-wide campaign to enhance our green spaces. Local people are proud of this. Encouraging advertising in these areas goes against this policy and will leave people angry and demoralised.


 * Proposal 1. We call for all current signs to be removed, and the whole policy to be scrapped. This section should be removed from the Review.**

In addition we note that the core funding for the borough's parks is wholly inadequate, and is almost the lowest '//relative to nearest neighbours / London (14)'//.* According to the Review, Haringey's budget is only around £13.63 per resident compared to the range of £12.81 - £29.42 allocated by other London boroughs. Yet the Review proposes to reduce this even further, for example suggesting an //'8-10% cost reduction in grounds maintenance'.// **It is clear that unacceptable efforts to make money from adverts in green spaces is a desperation measure to compensate for unacceptable cuts and the lack of adequate core funding.**

Proposal 2. We call on the basic parks budget to be significantly raised to ensure adequate maintenance and management of all our open green spaces. Such an increase should be added to the Review.


 * Sincerely,

Joan Curtis - Secretary, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum Dave Morris - Secretary, Haringey Federation of Residents Associations**

Pre Business Plan Review - Performance Section. para 4b
 * **Pre Business Plan Review - Part 6 / Performance Section. p36 para 4a**