Many councils are expecting cuts in their budgets for parks despite growing numbers of people using them, according to a new survey.
The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) found that 85% of councils in the survey were expecting budget cuts of at least 5% and almost 30% were anticipating cuts of more than 15%.
This was despite the survey finding close to two-thirds of the councils were experiencing a growing number of visitors to their parks.
More than four in five of those surveyed said budget cuts have led to reduced levels of maintenance and increases in unmaintained land.
Biodiversity was identified as the main environmental priority for parks services while the second most important policy was litter control.
APSE chief executive Mo Baines said the survey ‘makes clear there is a real belief amongst parks professionals that service quality may start to be seriously affected because of the ongoing pressures on budgets, changes to maintenance frequencies and a need for investment, particularly as visitor numbers are remaining high and, in many cases, increasing.
‘What the survey also shows is that local authorities are successfully introducing new and innovative ways to sustainably manage parks.’
