Agenda item

This Council notes that: 

1. Cardiff’s parks and open spaces are a major feature of the city which are a valuable resource and safe space for residents and visitors.  
2. Parks are places where individuals and families should feel safe and during the Coronavirus pandemic, many residents enjoyed and appreciated their local park to be able to get outside. 
3. There are a number of volunteer groups, including “Friends” groups, who make a valuable contribution and help to enhance our parks. This Council expresses its thanks to them for their hard work. 
4. The work of parks rangers is crucial in both enabling work carried out by Friends groups and ensuring that Cardiff parks are safe and well-managed. 

This Council also notes that there has sadly been a spate of incidents in parks over the past few months, ranging from serious crimes to low-level anti-social behaviour. 

This Council calls on the Cabinet to bring forward a report which includes: 

• Increases the funding available for park rangers. More rangers will both assist with making our parks safer and encouraging friends groups to develop. 
• A policy on where and when it is appropriate to introduce lighting in parks, and what consultation would be undertaken to identify any paths that need lighting. 
• Consideration of whether when serious vandalism occurs in parks the Council should, after seeking advice from the Police, offer a reward for information which leads to arrests. 

Such a report should be brought to Cabinet within four months. 

Proposed: Adrian Robson 

Seconded: Lyn Hudson