You may recall in early November that ISPAL invited Members through the e-zine to provide comments on the Open Space Strategies, based on updated best practice from the London Plan and lessons learnt from work CABE Space has done with local authorities across England over the past five years.

Firstly, we received some excellent responses to this consultation document and thank members for their input. These responses were than collated and a co-ordinated response sent to and kindly received from CABE. For your information the document can be downloaded from the GLA website

The main points that ISPAL put to CABE were as follows: - Rather than Open Space Strategies it was felt that what is actually needed today is a Green Infrastructure Strategy.

- There was a great deal of concern shown to the reference made to parks departments. ISPAL raised the point that these departments have been vastly reduced due to their systematic dismantling over decades. - Although the existence of a strategy is important to the consistent and improving delivery of services, the Paper does not address the most important strategic aspect, namely, the level of resources. Providing guidance on how to prepare strategies is not going to alter the fact that resources are insufficient, staff on the ground are underpaid, and it will not help to recruit high quality people to an Industry that desperately needs new blood.

- Although it makes reference to other strategies more could be said about how Green Space strategies actually deliver on wider community objectives, how they can be designed to emphasis the importance of green spaces in mitigating climate change and how in practical terms they will link into major special planning exercises - Other relevant national policies that might be included are:

- Creating Strong and Prosperous Communities (CLG, 2007) - Living Spaces: Cleaner, Safer, Greener (CLG, 2006)

- Every Child Matters: Change for Children (DfES, 2004) - Aiming high for young people: a ten year strategy for positive activities (DCSF, 2007)

For a copy of the response, please contact Lucy Roper, Research and Resources Manager at [email protected]