3 August 2022During Love Parks Week (29 July–5 August), the government has announced a £9m parks scheme with the aim of creating new or significantly refurbished green spaces in those urban areas that need them most.
Up to £85,000 is available for pre-selected local authorities, where there are neighbourhoods with the least access to green space, and which rate highly on the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Scheme goals are to improve:
- Access to quality green space in deprived urban areas
- Tree-planting in urban areas
- Pride in our local places
The selected local authorities are not being asked to follow a competitive bidding process but to opt in or out of the scheme. If a council opts out, the next eligible place ranked using the methodology will be offered a grant. This will ensure that all the money reaches areas where it is most needed and will have the biggest likely impact.
Town and parish councils within the selected local authority areas cannot apply direct for these funds but may like to discuss this opportunity with their principal councils.
Key dates to note:
- 1 August 2022 – opt in opens
- 5 September 2022- opt in deadline
- 3 October 2022 – project proposals confirmed, funding sent
There is a prospectus for the scheme which includes a list of selected local authorities and methodology for selection along with an accompanying press release.
Clerks also can sign up for emails for all the latest government policy papers and consultations .
