Liverpool Lib Dems fighting to save our Parks

Councillor Liz Makinson has secured time for the Council to discuss protecting the city's parks from development

In 2021, the Labour administration pledged to protect all of Liverpool Parks in Partnership with the Fields in Trust Charity. Campaigners were outraged that four years later, only one park in the city had been protected. The only park to be placed in trust so far is Falkner Square near the Women's Hospital. 

Shocked by the lack of progress, Councillor Liz Makinson and her Lib Dem colleagues had written to senior officers at the council calling for time for the issue to be discussed.  They asked the council to take the following actions:

• Ensure the next tranche of green spaces have signed Deeds of Dedication by the end of 2025.
• All the over 100 green spaces have signed Deeds of Dedication by the end of the municipal year 2025/6.
• The council works proactively with councillors and Parks Forum and Friends to ensure the above timescale is delivered and they are kept regularly informed of progress.
• An explanation is given as to why parks that we were told over a year ago would have their deeds signed the following week are still waiting for this to take place.

In a meeting with the Chief Executive the Lib Dem councillors have secured time for the item to be discussed at a future Neighbourhood  Scrutiny Committee - giving the parks groups, members of the public as well as councillors a chance to have their say on the matter. 

Cllr Liz Makinson, Lib Dem Councillor for Calderstones, said:

“It's so disappointing that Labour made all this fanfare 4 years ago but have done next to nothing. Nearly all the while our parks and green spaces have been left in limbo - at risk of future development. It’s not good enough. 

“When I'm out speaking to residents they tell me all the time how important the parks are to them, that's why it’s so disappointing seeing being let down again and again - whether it’s failing to protect them from development or failing to invest S.106 money into them.

“We need a proper explanation as to why this hasn’t happened and when we can expect this project to be completed. Edinburgh Council have worked with Fields in Trust to secure the equivalent of 700 football pitches. Our whole city has enough protection for a Sunday kick-about. We will continue to demand a special council meeting if the council does not take action and won’t let the plans to save our parks be kicked into the long grass. 

“The Liverpool Liberal Democrats have always fought to protect our parks and green spaces. That’s what residents want - we’re committed to delivering a council that listens to you, so that it can work for you.”