The Green Flag Award (GFA) scheme is fast becoming a recognised standard for greenspace excellence. But, there is still much to achieve for the newly formed Green Flag Plus Partnership (consisting of Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace), which has recently taken over management of the Award on behalf of Communities and Local Government from the Civic Trust.
Although, personally, I am sad to see the Civic Trust disappear (particularly in terms of its wider commitment to improving and caring for places where people live and work), the new commission has brought a clear drive to re-evaluate the scheme and, whilst retaining the best aspects, move with the times.
The recession and its impact on the parks industry, maintaining judge involvement and raising standards to name but a few areas - were up for discussion at the judges seminar I recently attended at the aptly named Salford Innovation Forum.
(image) No one can deny the impact that Green Flag is having on the management and funding of greenspaces but has it reached its limits? Last year 743 greenspaces received a GFA and this year the number of sites receiving the top accolade is set to rise substantially to the 1,000 mark. Green Flag Plus Partnership is keen to increase standards further and is controversially advocating an ambitious target of 50% of all greenspaces achieving a GFA by 2020, further widening the catchment from traditional parks sites to include more cemeteries, allotments, nature reserves and green corridors. Will the inclusion of yet more and more greenspaces begin to dilute the achievement?
If local authority reaction at the seminar is anything to go by, challenging times are ahead. However, this doesn't mean that we should carry on regardless but should strive to work towards the targets set (if not completely achievable!).
My colleague and fellow Green Flag judge, Jonathan Woods agrees that Green Flag has undoubtedly helped to raise standards. However, he feels the debate is still out on local authority commitment and investment. In his words "Park managers need to better link with wider social objectives such as localism, addressing climate change, recycling, locally grown produce, improving community safety, increasing physical activity etc. If not, I predict that gaining increases in funding, or even retaining investment at current levels will be problematic. There is a real opportunity for park managers to develop partnerships with other sectors in a joined up approach."
Regular, whole stock assessment, in light of PPG17 requirements, can only be a good thing. We often see great examples of greenspaces that meet the standards necessary to achieve a GFA, for example allotments and green corridors. Recent examples we have come across through our PPG17 work include New Mills Community Orchard in High Peak and Denstone Old Railway in East Staffordshire. Cemetery provision is also another underachiever; only 28 sites currently hold the award.
Local authorities should bite the bullet and ensure they maximise the profile of all high quality greenspaces; which should really have been highlighted through recent and robust PPG17 assessments. If you are reading this and don't have this information, then give me a call!
.JPG)
