The British Association of Landscape Industries-National Contractors’ Forum (BALI-NCF) welcomes the news that the Communities and Local Government Committee (CLG) is to launch an inquiry into parks funding and that it will look at the impact of reduced local authority funding on the quality of parks and open spaces.

The National Contractors’ Forum, which represents the most prominent private sector landscape maintenance companies, believes that it has a key role to play in providing information to the inquiry. BALI-NCF members are responsible for maintaining thousands of parks and open spaces across the UK via outsourced models for many local authorities.

BALI-NCF can also directly relate to and comment on the impact of reduced local authority budgets, which is having a detrimental effect on the quality of maintenance, the overall environment, our horticultural heritage, and ultimately upon the wellbeing of the population of the UK.

Phil Jones, chairman of BALI-NCF, believes that, when looking at the issues on which the Committee is seeking feedback, BALI-NCF will be able to represent its members on all levels. “Whether it is the impact of reductions in Local Authority budgets or the viability of alternative management models, our members are well placed to provide input.” Jones added: “Many of the effects of reduced budgets have been felt by our member companies and this has directly affected their ability to provide the service that is expected by the local communities and visitors.”

“The goalposts have moved over the last twenty years and a realisation of the current issues and a re-setting of expectations, coupled with alternative methodology for managing parks, is to be welcomed. I will be encouraging BALI-NCF members to further engage with their Local Authority customers and local communities where they operate and encourage everyone to take this chance in a generation to have their say. I believe that public parks are the lifeblood of our communities and play a crucial role in the health of the nation. It is now for everyone to provide evidence that this is the case.”