Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

This report provides an overview of Manchester’s Parks Climate Change Action Plan. The report sets out the background to the development of the plan, how the plan aligns to the wider ambition of the Council and an overview of the action plan.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) that provided an overview of Manchester’s Parks Climate Change Action Plan. 

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Setting out the background to the development of the plan;

·         Describing how the plan aligned to the wider ambition of the Council;

·         Providing an overview of the action plan; and

·         Conclusion and next steps.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:

·         Clarification was sought regarding the use of glyphosate in parks and seeking an assurance that no general glyphosate-based treatments had been used to manage weeds in parks since 2019 and was only used to treat Japanese Knotweed and occasionally Giant Hogweed;

·         An update was sought in relation to energy generation in parks;

·         The described action plan needed to have Key Performance Indicators included that could be monitored, reported and evaluated;

·         The target should be for all staff working in the service to have undergone their carbon literacy training;

·         All new contract arrangements relating to activities in parks should include clear guidance regarding single use plastics; and

·         What was the approach to grass cutting in parks, noting the differences in expectations of residents in relation to this activity.

The Parks Lead stated that the statement within the report regarding the use of glyphosate-based treatments was correct. In response to the broader discussion that arose regarding the approach to the use of glyphosate-based treatments in settings other than parks, the Chair advised that a specific report on this subject, including all herbicides, would be scheduled for consideration in the new municipal year.

The Parks Lead stated that the standards set in parks would support engagement and influence behaviour change with partners and key stakeholders, such as allotments. She advised that all opportunities for engagement on the issue of climate change were explored and made reference to the work undertaken in partnership with the National Allotment Society.

The Director of Neighbourhood Delivery stated that Climate Change Action Plans were important for parks and related friends’ groups. He stated that the implementation of these were important to lead by example and support wider behaviour change. The Chair commented that carbon literacy training should be extended to friends’ groups and volunteers. 

The Parks Lead advised that options for generating energy in parks had been explored, however they were not currently viable. She advised that alternative energy solutions were considered in any new developments in parks and all opportunities would be considered. She reiterated that climate change was considered in all decision making and the service worked closely with the Zero Carbon Team. She further acknowledged the comments regarding the need for metrics and Key Performance Indicators across all workstreams, adding that consideration would be given to this. In terms of governance arrangements, she described that this work was reported to the Parks Strategy Board and the Zero Carbon Coordination Board. 

The Parks Lead advised that the ambition would be to have all staff carbon literacy trained and this would be progressed over time, adding that all new staff would automatically receive this as part of their induction to the service. She added that the bespoke carbon literacy training had been well received by all staff who undertaken this.

The Parks Lead advised that contracts were reviewed to ensure they included arrangements to remove single use plastics, adding that innovative approaches were considered to other activities, such as alternative barrier tape to be used when events were held in parks. 

The Parks Lead stated that a mapping exercise would be undertaken across all parks so that those areas that would be mowed could be clearly identified to manage residents’ expectations.

The Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods stated that the Council’s Parks Strategy would be refreshed to incorporate the work described. The Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer added that this would also be incorporated into the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Decision

To recommend that a report on the approach to the use herbicides across all areas of the council’s activities, including the use of glyphosate-based treatments in Manchester be submitted for consideration in the new municipal year.