Agenda item

The ‘Health of the Borough’ review is being conducted thematically. This session will concentrate on Environmental Health and particularly look at the following issues:

·  The cleanliness of our borough

·  The use of our parks and open spaces

Attached is a submission on work being done on Wellbeing by the council’s  Environment and Leisure Division.

5.1  The chair introduced the session and explained the focus of tonight’s round table discussion was Environmental Health, particularly the cleanliness of the borough and the use of parks of and open spaces. The chair invited the relevant lead cabinet members to introduce themselves: Councillor Barrie Hargrove, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure; and Councillor Darren Merrill, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling, Community Safety and Volunteering.  The chair then invited community representatives from various parks and green space amenity groups to introduce themselves: Peta Steel, FoPP & Walworth Society; Shelagh Farren, FoPP; Diana Cochrane, Walworth Society & Pullens TRA and Peter Wright, East Walworth Green Links.

5.2  Dr Ruth Wallis, Director of Public Health, then went through a presentation on the theme (attached to the minutes).

5.3  The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure made some opening comments and explained that in his former role he led on transport & environment and the council looked to improve health by measures such as increasing cycling rates. He explained that his new portfolio is brand new and the role includes public health and parks. The council are encouraging people to be active in green spaces, including growing food. The key determinants of health are physical activity and good nutrition.

5.4  The Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling, Community Safety and Volunteering Darren explained that his focus on this theme is in cleaning up high streets and also delivering green corridors. He explained that he is also keen to improve air quality, which is an important public health priority – much of this is caused by traffic from Kent with diesel being a particularly big problem. He reported that he is lobbying the Mayor of London to expand the proposed low emission air quality areas.

5.5  Peta Steel then explained that Walworth Garden Park is more like a village green. She said that one thing that the Labour government post war was to open up parks and green open spaces. She reported that her association got a grant from the Heritage Lottery and the association have been showing the zoological history of the park. She explained that one problem we have is young people acting destructively. The dog walkers group help with safety and intervened to stop youths burning down a tree, and deter the space being used by drug users.  The dog walkers also help with social cohesion and reducing depression and isolating. She said the association also support pop up parks for young people.

5.6  A member asked if access to green space correlated to good health, or is it related to levels of activity and use? The Director of Public Health commented that generally rural communities do better and good quality green space can make up for low income. She said that use is important - for example people might not be able to access land if it is private. She explained that there are issues around space in estates - for example frequent signs prohibiting ball games. She said this is an issue that needs to be resolved - obviously people have concerns about balls however it is also important that young people can play games. She commented that food growing also ticks lots of boxes. She explained that safety and cleanliness can be important issues to encourage community use of space.

5.7  Diana Cochrane commented that attitudes have come on a long way - some time ago it was said that green spaces could not possibly grow food, but now this is commonplace. Initiatives such as green planters promote community cohesion. She asked how we can work together to promote public awareness, for example by saying it is okay to grow things in the public realm.

5.8  She said that Green Links between parks, open spaces and greens are very important and Peter Wright agreed and mentioned a Green Link through the Heygate that Lend Lease has agreed to preserve.  He highlighted the value of the little green spaces, the diversity of these places and the individual investment by small community associations. Green Links can join these together and mean people have an alternative to the pollution of Old Kent Road.

5.9  Peter Wright said that there are lots of groups working on providing Green Links in the community, for example in Rotherhithe and asked if the council could help with this. He reported that local groups in Walworth have done a link but they do not have sign posts so it is a secret.  He reported that they are planning signposts and glossy hands outs. He added that he thinks this will contribute to health and safety; a critical mass of people out and about prevent anti social behaviours. He said that he had been working with doctors to promote activity, for example giving prescription slips to walk.

5.10  It was suggested that the council help smaller associations through bulk buying planters and out-door gyms equipment. The council could help out with capacity support, for example making it easier for associations to access insurance for events and hold workshops for each other and also assist in promote activities for children and older people.

5.11  Committee members mentioned some useful leisure projects including Surry Docks and Time &Talents, which are doing excellent things, like promoting food growing. Local gyms are also charging one pound for older people for all day activities. Members also commented that not being in green space can be detrimental to mental and physical health. Air is quality is also very important.

5.12  The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure reported that the council will be bringing in free swim and gym by 2016. He said it is unlikely to be free all the time - but pensioners will probably be free most of the time.

5.13  Diana Cochrane commented that air quality does improve significantly when further from the high street. There is a proposal to separate roads, paths and cycles routes - this could be an opportunity to grow things to separate different transport routes, rather than concrete blocks.

5.14  The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure reported that in a recent consultation people have very much emphasised the need for more green spaces. He added that it is becoming increasingly clear that we need segregated lanes and also to slow down traffic.

5.15  A committee member commented that he did support the green ribbon and also agreed with greening roads and added that this is also good for preventing flash flooding .There was also agreement on targeting free access to those most at need and pensioners are one of those groups.  

5.16  The Director of Public Health commented that she would very much encourage community engagement and there is more work to be done in the time leading up to the delivery of free provision and more work to be done to encourage greater participation in physical activity and use of parks and open spaces.

5.17  A local food growing project was referred to and praised. A member asked the cabinet lead if allotments could be expanded. He replied that the council is willing to consider this if approached by people, but there is an issue of making space private.

5.18  The Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling, Community Safety and Volunteering mentioned a conference he attended that emphasised that good design that works for cyclists, children and the white van man. He added that this promotes community cohesion and community engagement is very important to achieving this; the council need to trust the community more to deliver and drive this; initiatives like ‘Cleaner, Greener & Safer’ empower local communities.

5.19   A community representative said she appreciated the work of gorilla gardeners and asked about the Elephant & Castle south roundabout and asked if work could be done with TFL to ensure it is greener.  The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Parks and Leisure commented that the piazza is confined. He said there was a growing demand for more green space and a similar desire from Lend Lease and politicians. Lend lease will be motivated by commercial pressures to provide green space as prospective buyers will want a pleasant green environment, however neither the community nor Lend Lease have a god given right to set green space , but green groups can help with improving local areas and be encouraged .

5.20  A community representative said there are concerns that green spaces around estates will go as a result of regeneration. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling, Community Safety and Volunteering noted that this is more a Walworth concern and commented that all the amenity groups present at the meeting were from this area. The chair and project manager explained that other networks from wider afield had been invited.  A community representative commented that Living Streets have a map detailing green links throughout the borough.