The public have been consulted,
So everything can go ahead as planned
Scotsman article in full:
“City parks to invite private companies to join in shake-up”
The questionnaire in question, copy
Quotes from Scotsman article:
“GLASGOW’S reputation as the “dear green place” is to be reinforced with a multi-million pound plan to breathe new life into its parks and open spaces.”
We are not talking wildlife here, all be it predatory
“The council is expected to approve a master plan for the city’s 74 parks which will allow private companies to provide a range of facilities. ”
Says the Scotsman newspaper. So when was this master plan thought out you may ask – last week. After the public consultation period. Not before surely. The city council who hold our parks in trust, have allowed private companies into our parks through only the views of 670 members of the public !!!
“Golf driving ranges, garden centres, cafes and restaurants will all be considered for inclusion in city parks and open spaces. ”
Funny thing is, this article makes the parks consultation document look like a statement rather than a questionnaire.
“The review followed an extensive public consultation. More than 3,000 children responded with their views on the parks and open spaces and 670 members of the public and organisations contributed.”
It would be interesting to find out how the council managed to get 3,000 children to respond to their tendentious consultation document.
Q. would you like a new skateboard park.
A. Yes please.
Q. How would you like a cafe in the park selling sweets hamburgers and ice cream.
A. yes please.
Q. Would you like more amusements that you could harass your parents to get money for.
A. O’ yes please.
Q. You don’t like that boring old green stuff do you. If we made nice houses facilities on these bits. you would have a lot more parking space tarmac to play on with your bikes. Oh and more cafes, yes of course. Would you like some more sweets.
A. Yes please.
I don’t think the park is noisy enough do you. What about more pop bands. But remember it will use up more of that green stuff at the weekends.
A. Yes please.
Maybe you children should go out to play and let me fill in the rest of this boring form. OK
A. Yes please.
“Key issues of concern included safety and security, dog fouling, insufficient toilets and the lack of a visual presence of park attendants and rangers.”
There for we will need new partners to facilitate these shortcomings. The public in this day and age can’t expect the parks department to think of everything. Toilets and parkies, indeed. This will cost.
“The latest poll we did shows the parks are still highly regarded by the public.
“This isn’t a service which is sick, but we can work with others to make the service better before there is any dip in use.”
So therefore we need to do something about this “high regard”. We can’t have people being happy with our parks the way they are. But just in case by some miracle, people stop going to the park on sunny days, or for a quiet walk in the winter, we shall take the precaution of having a few companies in to check the place out for commercial outlets. Just in case the park gets sick, or there is a dip in usability, or something.
“Glasgow’s parks currently attract up to 20 million visitors a year. ”
– So we will really have to be careful with this dip in usability – as a possibility.
“However, Mr Booth said he was keen to see the management of the parks overhauled, so that decisions on their future are taken at a local level, with managers empowered to implement change.”
And of course
“Local communities will also be encouraged to put forward their own plans.
Mr Booth admitted that during the review, the possibility of the parks being run by an external organisation was considered. However, the option was dismissed amid fears that private contractors may charge for some of the facilities which are currently free. ”
Of course decisions taken at a “local level” can also mean making it easier to privatise when they are out-with the central structure. Divide and rule, nice one.
“the parks being run by an external organisation was considered” By whom!!! The parks are in trust to the council to be looked after for the public – who own them. I do not remember anything in the Public Consultation Document about external organisations running our parks. Auto-suggesstion. OK.
“She added: “We’re kicking off the debate about our parks and what we want to use our public spaces for. ”
I believe the city council are kicking off a non debate because they know exactly what they want to use our public space for
“My gut reaction is that the people of Glasgow will say it’s not before time.”
My gut reaction is the people of Glasgow will wonder what the writer is on about. But no doubt The people of Glasgow, will find out soon enough when the bulldozers start rolling and our parks become extensions of the commercial enterprise that Glasgow City Council hold so dear to their heart – no matter what the public think.
I would strongly advise anyone concerned about their local park and how the councils “master plan” will affect it, to use the box below and make their views heard. Just in the off-chance that this is the first time that they have heard that there was a debate going on .