A new Facebook Group has been set up in response to local concerns for the future of Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services.
Walsall Council is currently consulting the public to have their say on the 2013 budgetary proposals. Although the fine detail is missing, £400k worth of cuts is being proposed for the department dealing with Walsall’s parks and open spaces.
It is believed that, should the cuts go ahead, two of four Countryside Rangers could go along with other posts.
Linda Mason, local resident and also Secretary of Friends of Park Lime Pits decided to set up the group ‘Save Walsall’s Green Spaces and Countryside Services’ on Friday evening to celebrate all that is good about the much loved service and to campaign for its future existence for the benefit of future generations of Walsall.
Linda said: “I have become aware over recent weeks through the local blogging community and also through volunteering with Friends of Park Lime Pits, of potential cuts to jobs within Countryside Services and the effect that such cuts could have upon this much loved and respected part of the services provided by Walsall Council. I was heartened to see that within 18 hours of the group being set up there were 75 supporters.”
“The group aims to put pressure on the council to reconsider the budget cuts. Countryside Services and its staff is a real asset to the town and borough and provide a wealth of expertise, commitment and hard work in maintaining, promoting and improving all green spaces and local nature reserves. Their loss would be keenly felt.”
An e-petition has been formulated and submitted to the council for approval and the Group hopes that it will be available for signature by individuals later this week.
Although certain voluntary community groups do help with Green Space maintenance, they can only function as effective groups with the leadership and support provided by the committed and knowledgeable staff that are currently in post. Without these people, the green spaces of Walsall will suffer through lack of maintenance, vision and management. The green spaces could become places where nobody would want to visit; thereby depriving local people of much need leisure and environmental opportunities for relaxation and a healthy living both of mind and body.
The group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/437765136281023/ is open for everyone to join.