Councillors meet on Monday to approve huge cuts in spending on Parks

On Monday 18th February, at a full Council meeting, Councillors are being asked to make £400,000 cuts to the Parks Service over the next 3 years. This comes at a time when Friends groups have been lobbying for the greater on-site staffing and resources that our parks and open spaces desperately need if they are to fulfil their unique role in the 21st century. If such massive cuts are voted through they will be a kick in the teeth for Friends groups who have been working so hard for improvements to the management, maintenance and amenities in our parks. It would also be a blow to those who work so hard in our parks but who are already over-stretched.

Over the last year the Haringey Friends of Parks Forum has lobbied for the resources currently being spent on the largely ineffective Parks Constabulary - part of the Parks Service - to be re-channelled into the more effective general on-site gardeners and park wardens that everyone agrees are needed. However, it looks like the Councillors are being asked to support a 'double-cut' - ie not only the axing of the Parks Constabulary (with the loss of 13 staff and £200,000 of their total £436,000 costs), but also another £200,000 cut from the Parks Service grounds maintenance budget.

We are calling for the full £436,000 Parks Constabulary funding to be used instead to increase on-site staffing throughout the borough's parks and green open spaces.

No cuts! More not less resources for our parks and open spaces!


Joan Curtis
Secretary, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum