Letter to the editor: Like hundreds, probably thousands, of others I am appalled that Bexley Council is even considering the sell-off of 27 of its open spaces.
For almost 20 years, I and many other volunteers have worked to help the council promote parks and open spaces, encouraging residents and those from outside the borough to enjoy the activities and wildlife of these special places.
Bexley Council has always been quick to accept the plaudits when accepting green flag awards for its open spaces, rarely giving full credit for the hundreds of hours a year given by volunteers.
Bexley Council was also quick to try to establish “friends” groups for many of its open spaces, and those groups would be happy to help the council save money, while saving these wonderful places – what incentive is there when the council will not engage in a dialogue with those groups – unbelievable given a preamble to the budget consultation states: “The council is also exploring new ways to deliver a wide range of services, including the use of volunteers who are prepared to devote their time to contribute to the well-being of their community.”
The council will not tell us which of the 27 park/open spaces are on the list.
It goes go on to advise policy to improve “at least” 15 parks for conservation, but we do not know which it is talking about or how it intends to achieve it.
It is brilliant that you have run a poll and 89 per cent of respondents (to date) wish to see a “cut in overall maintenance budget for the open spaces” – clearly your readership is more enlightened than Bexley Council – being fully aware that a sell off would be a short term solution with a long term loss of precious open spaces.
Bexley Natural Environmental Forum, friends’ groups, volunteers and, I am sure, park users are willing to give their time to preserve our natural heritage.
We have offered many ideas for reduced maintenance – stop the unnecessary shrub clearances, reduce grass cutting, leaving more and better places for our wildlife and for people to enjoy.
Perhaps Bexley Council should recall what King George VI said some 70 years ago: “The wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it on trust. We must account for it to those who come after.”
The same must be true of the habitats in which that wildlife lives.
RAPLH TODD, Bexley
Ralph Todd hard at work on the January – June 2014 issue of the ‘Bexley Bird Report’.
Published in News Shopper, 25th February.
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/opinion/11816370.Appalled_Bexley_Council_is_considering_sell_off_of_27_open_spaces/
