london borough of havering parks and open spaces · 2016-02-05 · london borough of havering was...

LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING – PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

Rise Park Management Plan 1



Culture, Community and Economic Development

Parks and Open Spaces Section

Management Plan for Rise Park From 2016 to 2020

January 2016

Review Date January 2017



PARKS AND OPEN SPACES MANAGEMENT PLAN

RISE PARK

CONTENTS

Subject Page

Introduction 4

1.0 Site Overview 5 1.1 Profile of Havering 5 1.2 Site Description 5 1.3 Site Chronology - History 11 1.4 Strategic Framework 14 1.5 Monitoring 20 1.6 Health and Safety 22 1.7 Equality Impact Assessment 24 1.8 Byelaws 24 1.9 Demographics 24 1.10 Community Involvement 26 1.11 Community Consultation 29 1.12 Events 35 1.13 Awards and Recognition 35 1.14 Finance 36 1.15 Security 36 1.16 Access and Usage 40 1.17 Environment and Sustainability 40 1.18 Nature Conservation 42 1.19 Promotion (Marketing) 48 1.20 Management Team Responsibility 51 1.21 Facilities 51 1.22 Statistics 52 1.23 Customer Service Standards 52 2.0 Maintenance 54 2.1 Grass 55 2.2 Shrubs 56 2.3 Trees 57 2.4 Cleansing 58 2.5 Graffiti 59 2.6 Green Waste Recycling 59 2.7 Park Furniture 60 2.8 Hard Surfaces 61 2.9 Drains and Gulleys 62 2.10 Inspection of Hard Features 62 2.11 Conservation Area 62 2.12 Wild Flower Area 62 2.13 Playground 63 2.14 Outdoor Gym 64 2.15 Tennis Courts 65 2.16 Computerised Management System 65



3.0 Action Plans 67

3.1 SWOT Analysis 67 3.2 Improvement Plan 69 3.3 Action Plan 70

4.0 Appendices 72

4.1 History 73 4.2 Detailed QVA 78 4.3 Pesticide Reduction Policy 85 4.4 Equalities Impact Assessment 93 4.5 Byelaws 96 4.6 Demographic Information for Lodge Farm Park 102 4.7 Financial Information 110 4.8 Environmental Policy 111 4.9 Climate Change Strategy 112 4.10 Composting Information 116 4.11 Environmental Education 117 4.12 Parks and Open Spaces Service Structure Chart 120 4.13 Tree List 121 4.14 Bird Data 122 4.15 Maintenance schedules for Grounds Maintenance 123 4.16 Water usage Policy 124 4.17 Peat Usage Policy 128 4.18 Amendment to the Conservation (Natural

Habitats & Conservation) Regulations 129 4.19 Official Friends scheme 131



Introduction The Rise Park Management Plan has been prepared by the London Borough of Havering Parks Service and represents a ten year plan for the Park. The plan was completed in 2016 following the restoration to comply with the entry criteria for Green Flag Awards; it has a life of ten years and is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. During the restoration project it was recognised that the park required a comprehensive management plan in that the policies and strategies relating to the park were all contained in separate disparate documents. The aim of this Plan therefore is to tie all policies and plans together in one accessible volume, as well as serving as a guide to the relevant management practices and developments applicable to Rise Park. The Plan includes an Action Plan which is achievable within the remit of current budgets. The Plan has been drafted for a broad audience interested in the development of the Park namely:

The Parks Service

Other services and departments within the London Borough of Havering

Elected members, ward councillors and portfolio holders

The Community and its representative organisations

National agencies

Local businesses Following this Introduction the Management Plan is set out in 4 distinct sections: Section 1 outlines the history and importance of the Park, strategic context and legal considerations, a site description and physical and ecological characteristics. The national, regional and local context is described and Havering’s policies and strategies relating to the management of the park are set out in summary Section 2 sets out the maintenance standards and methods Section 3 sets out the Action Plans for the development of the park following a detailed SWOT analysis process. Section 4 is the Appendices that provide additional information on the management of the park.



1.0 SITE OVERVIEW 1.1 Profile of Havering

The London Borough of Havering is London’s third largest borough. The north and east boundaries border the rolling Essex countryside and the south covers three miles of River Thames frontage. To the west Havering is bordered by the boroughs of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham. The name ‘Havering’ originates from the Royal Liberty of Havering, to which Edward IV granted a charter in 1465. The area’s history stretches back to Roman times with early settlements at Rainham and Collier Row. The London Borough of Havering was created in 1965 by the merger of Romford and Hornchurch Urban District Councils.

Fig 1 – London Borough of Havering Location Plan 1.2 Site Description

At 9.74 ha, Rise Park is a large park north of Romford. It offers a range of facilities and features for formal and informal recreation, including sports pitches, tennis courts, ornamental planting, wild flowers, mature trees an outdoor gym and a children’s play area. The park has a car park at the main entrance to the park The main entrance to the Park is located on Beauly Way, Romford and there are a number of other entrances off Dee Way, Cree Way, Garry Close, Seaforth Close and Lower Bedford Road at the north end of the site. Crossing Lower Bedfords Road leads directly into Bedfords Park.

The park was restored during 2015 with funding from Veolia North Thames Trust and Havering Council.



Fig 2 Location Plan of Rise Park north east of Romford town centre north of the A12 Copyright Collins Bartholomew



Fig 3 Plan of the Park 1870-1881




Fig 6 Historical plan of the park and surrounding area from 1975



Fig 7 Plan of the Park 1998

Fig 8 Plan of the Park 1994



Fig 9 Plan of the Park 2013 1.3 Site Chronology

Date Event

Roman times

The site of Rise Park is believed to have formed part of/been located close to the Roman settlement/military post called Durolitum.

1153–4 Romford, first recorded, probably means 'wide ford,' from which the river Rom took its name by back-formation.

13th century

Rise Park’s name is a modern invention based on the old local name Risebridge, which was first recorded as Risebregge. This probably derived from Old English words referring to a causeway made with brushwood, which would have helped wayfarers traverse the marshy ground here.

First World War

Much of Risebridge’s farmland was acquired by Tommy England, a local trader and property speculator. Despite his own surname, England gave most of the new roads names derived from the geography of Scotland



Date Event

1920’s and 30’s

Housebuilding in Rise Park started in the 1920s and accelerated in the 1930s. England donated the land for the 23-acre public park, to Romford Council. The park opened in 1937.

1930’s

Four hundred private houses were built in Rise Park after Romford Council failed to secure a compulsory purchase order for the land. The homes built would be for private buyers, costing between £2,000 and £2,350. The price of bungalows started at £610 freehold.

1939-40

Gidea Park CC found a new home at Rise Park but facilities were not ideal, each match requiring a marquee to be erected. In 1940 the Secretary reported that the season had been marred by hold ups due to air raids and two large bomb craters on the outfield.

World War II

The area suffered bombing during the Blitz and saw further building after the Second World War

1950’s Rise Park infant and junior schools were built on Annan Way

1964

A pavilion was built and wooden huts to the far side of the stream. It is understood the ground was used by former Romford Athletics club with the park being laid out with a marked running track; two throwing circles; a long/high jump pit and practice cricket nets. The park had a cricket pitch and was used for regular cricket matches during the summer months.

1972 Rise Park borders Risebridge Golf Course which was opened in 1972 by Havering Council on former land of Risebridge Farm.

2010 Friends of Rise Park formed as a constituted

group.

2011

The Friends worked with the Parks Service to

obtain funding for new Children’s playground.

Volunteer groups painted the front railings and

gates

2012

Friends set up Social Media Facebook page as

well as Friends group email and mailing

distribution list.



Date Event

2013

Friends awarded funding from Community

Chest Fund to install Friends Group

Noticeboard; picnic bench and purchase

additional Litterpick and River Clean up tools

Planted over 1000 gifted daffodil bulbs in the

main car park beds with volunteers

2014

Awarded Official Friends Group Status by LBH

Parks

Friends asked to speak at the Capital Clean

Up end of year award ceremony and Won

prize for the “best blog” of the Capital Clean-up

Campaign (£50 vouchers spent to purchase

more bulbs and summer bedding for the

planters in 2015).

Friends obtained donation of 1200 spring bulbs

planted out by 120 local schoolchildren as well

as Friends and family volunteers

Friends received £100 Matched Volunteer hour

funding from DHL UK Foundation.

2015

Awarded Official Friends Group Status by LBH

Parks

Awarded £692 funding from Mayor of London’s

Capital Clean-up Campaign to regenerate the

Riverbank, clearing overgrown areas and to re-

paint the shelter

Successful application for Veolia Trust based

upon consultation feedback

Researched History of Rise Park for the

Management Plan

Presented with a Silver Award in the Large

Park of the Year Category in London in Bloom

2016

New signage installed

Repairs to main gates and pllars

New internal gates designed and fitted

Tennis courts fully restored with fencing and

nets.

New planting programme

New benches and bins

New items of play equipment

Painting of railings



Date Event

Submission for Green Flag in January

Detailed history of the site can be found at Appendix 4.1

Fig 10 the internal gates to the park off the car park on Beauly way

1.4 The Strategic Framework

This section describes how the Management Plan for Lodge Farm Park sits within the national, regional and local context for parks and open spaces.

1.4.1 National Policy Context

National Planning Policy Framework The NPPF was published at the end of March 2012 and sets out the Government’s planning policies for England. It replaces 44 Planning Policy Statements (PPS), Planning Policy Guidance (PPG), Circulars and Letters with a concise framework of around 50 pages. The protection for open space and playing fields is reinforced in the new NPPF, stating that such land should not be built on unless an assessment shows that: i) the land is surplus to requirements, ii) the loss would be



replaced by equivalent or better provision in a suitable location, or iii) the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss. The NPPF includes provisions for the designation of Local Green Spaces by communities. Where open spaces which are “important to local communities” (which may include playing fields) are designated as Local Green Space in the development plan, they will be protected as strongly as Green Belt. The Government continues to attach great importance to the Green Belt concept saying that boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. The NPPF also recognises the 'the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside' as a core planning principle which applies whether that countryside is specifically designated or not.

Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services This ambitious biodiversity strategy for England builds on the Natural Environment White Paper and provides a comprehensive picture of how we are implementing our international and EU commitments. It sets out the strategic direction for biodiversity policy for the next decade, building on the successful work that has gone before, but also seeking to deliver a real step change. The Strategy aims to deliver outcomes in four areas:

a more integrated large-scale approach to conservation on land and at sea

putting people at the heart of biodiversity policy

reducing environmental pressures

improving our knowledge

1.4.2 Regional Policy Context

The London Plan, 2011 The Mayor has published the replacement of the spatial development strategy for London – known as the London Plan. The London Plan is the overall strategic plan for London, and it sets out a fully integrated economic, environmental, transport and social framework for the development of the capital to 2031. It forms part of the development plan for Greater London. London boroughs’ local plans need to be in general conformity with the London Plan, and its policies guide decisions on planning applications by councils and the Mayor. London’s public spaces should be secure, accessible, inclusive, connected, easy to understand and maintain, relate to local context, and incorporate the highest quality design, landscaping, planting, street furniture and surfaces.



London’s heritage assets and historic environment, including registered historic parks and gardens and other natural and historic landscapes, should be identified, so that the desirability of sustaining and enhancing their significance and of utilising their positive role in place shaping can be taken into account. London’s landscape heritage provides a depth of character that has immeasurable benefit to the city’s economy, culture and quality of life. Natural landscapes can help to provide a unique sense of place. Policy 7.16: Green Belt The Mayor strongly supports the current extent of London’s Green Belt, its extension in appropriate circumstances and its protection from inappropriate development. The strongest protection should be given to London’s Green Belt, in accordance with national guidance. Inappropriate development should be refused, except in very special circumstances. Development will be supported if it is appropriate and helps secure the objectives of improving the Green Belt as set out in national guidance.

Policy 7.18: Protecting local open space and addressing local deficiency The Mayor supports the creation of new open space in London to ensure satisfactory levels of local provision to address areas of deficiency. The loss of local protected open spaces must be resisted unless equivalent or better quality provision is made within the local catchment area. Replacement of one type of open space with another is unacceptable unless an up to date needs assessment shows that this would be appropriate. When assessing local open space needs, LDFs should:

a) include appropriate designations and policies for the protection of local open space

b) identify areas of public open space deficiency, using the open space categorisation set out in Table 7.2 as a benchmark for all the different types of open space identified therein

c) ensure that future open space needs are planned for in areas with the potential for substantial change such as opportunity areas, regeneration areas, intensification areas and other local areas

d) ensure that open space needs are planned in accordance with green infrastructure strategies to deliver multiple benefits.

All London Green Grid SPG (2012) The All London Green Grid takes the principles of the East London Green Grid and applies them across London. The concept of a “green grid” – an integrated network of green and open spaces together with the Blue Ribbon Network of rivers and waterways – is at the centre of the London Plan’s approach to the provision, enhancement and management of green infrastructure (Policy 2.18). This network of spaces functions best when designed and managed as an interdependent ‘grid’.



Fig 11 Planting taking placing in 2015-16 The ALGG SPG aims to promote the concept of green infrastructure, and increase its delivery by boroughs, developers, and communities, by describing and advocating an approach to the design and management of green and open spaces to deliver hitherto unrealised benefits. These benefits include sustainable travel, flood management, healthy living, and creating distinctive destinations; and the economic and social uplift these support.

1.4.3 Local Policy Context

The following diagram represents how the Management Plan fits within the overall strategic framework for Parks and Open Spaces within Havering:

Local Development Framework

Parks and Open Space

Strategy

Sustainable Community Strategy

Corporate Plan

Area Regeneration Strategies

And other relevant corporate and service strategies, for e.g. play

strategy

Culture Strategy



Fig. 12: Local policy framework diagram

Havering Local Development Framework

Havering’s existing Local Development Framework has a number of conditions and policies aimed at improving and enhancing the green environment. Key to these is the following: DC18 – Protection of Public Open Space, sports and leisure facilities

The Council will seek the retention and enhancement of all public open space and recreation, sports and leisure facilities that are in private and public ownership. Where it is shown that public open space or other land /building is surplus to requirements because other facilities exist in the locality to meet the standards set out in Policy DC20 alternative uses will be allowed.

Priority will be given to other recreation/leisure uses such as allotments or sports pitches where there is an identified need for such a use. Where no such needs exists then other uses may be approved provided that there is no conflict with other Core and Development Control policies and there is no unacceptable impact on the local environment or amenities of local residents.

Any loss of open space to a non-recreation/leisure use must be accompanied by an improvement to the quality of open space in the vicinity or to remedying qualitative and quantitative deficiencies in open space elsewhere in the Borough.

DC20 – Access to recreation and leisure including open space The Council will seek to ensure that there is adequate provision of a varied range of accessible leisure and recreation facilities throughout the borough.

Service Plans

Rise Park

Management Plan

Biodiversity Action Plan

Tree Strategy



The Council will have regard to the following walking distances in order to improve the distribution of public open space:

• Regional Park (400 ha) 3.2 to 8 km

• Metropolitan Park (60 ha) 3.2km

• District Park (20ha) 1.2km

• Local Park (2ha) 800m

The Council will also seek to achieve the following standard of provision:

• Children's Play Space - 0.8 hectares per 1,000 population with

access to formal/informal play provision within 400 m of home

• Allotments - 0.18 hectares per 1,000 population with access within

800 m of home

• Sports pitches - 0.75 hectares per 1,000 population with access

within 1200m of home

To make the best use of facilities, the Council will promote the dual use of education sports and recreation facilities by the public.

Culture Strategy and Parks & Open Spaces Strategy The London Borough of Havering recognises the value of its parks and open spaces, and all cultural assets. In both the Culture Strategy and the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy it outlines how parks and open space have both an intrinsic and instrumental value. The Parks & Open Spaces Strategy states: “green open spaces are a beautiful and precious resource that should be protected, enjoyed and celebrated, simply for what they are”. It also lists 15 instrumental benefits of parks, including “promoting positive physical, mental and emotional wellbeing” and “acting as a focal point for communities”. The Action Plan within the Parks & Open Spaces Strategy is focussed on three overarching objectives which reflect the role and value of these spaces: 1) Health & Wellbeing; 2) Learning & Personal Development; 3) Towns & Communities.

Sustainable Communities Strategy / ‘Living Ambition’ The Sustainable Community Strategy was formed by the Havering Strategic Partnership and acts as an over-arching plan, setting the direction and priorities for other key plans and strategies in Havering, and ensuring effective coordination and targeting of services. The Strategy sets out five priorities: 1) Environment, 2) Learning, 3) Towns & Communities, 4) Individuals, 5) Value. The table below describes, in broad terms, how Parks and Open Spaces contribute to these priorities.



Environment

Providing beautiful and safe green spaces that local people will take pride in, that will help provide cleaner air for all, will provide pleasure, relaxation and recreation for adults, will secure places for children to play, and will contribute to the greening, attractiveness and biodiversity of the borough.

Learning

Providing opportunities for learning, through discovery of nature and heritage, through allotments food growing and horticulture, and through the sports and physical activity undertaken in our parks.

Towns and Communities

Contributing to the physical, social and economic regeneration of the borough through the provision and maintenance of high quality open spaces and by ensuring culture is at the heart of our towns and communities.

Individuals

Contributing to the quality of life of local people, improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities, by providing opportunities for participation in culture within our open spaces; parks, allotments and countryside. Providing activities for everyone, including children, young people and families, older people and disabled people, in a way that is fully inclusive and where people feel welcome and safe.

Value

Continuing to deliver an efficient, innovative and high-quality service, whilst working in partnership with internal and external agencies and through engagement with residents and groups such as Friends of Parks.

1.5 Monitoring The Open Space Strategy determined that an assessment of the parks

for

Quality – the standard of items inspected

Value - usage and benefit to the public The Quality/Value Assessments (QVA) are carried out annually in November/December, a number of criteria are used taken from the Green Flag assessment criteria.

Quality Assessment

Good and safe access Signage Equal access for all (DDA) Safe equipment and facilities Personal security Dog fouling Nature Conservation Quality of Design Litter and waste management



Grounds maintenance and horticulture Building and infrastructure maintenance Playgrounds and MUGA’s Sustainability

Value Assessment Informal recreation and play Formal recreation Green barrier Place of special identity Recognisable features of local importance Nature Conservation Visible from parts of the surrounding area Visually attractive Provide fit for purpose screening Historical value Located in a conservation area Contribution to Biodiversity Action Plan Sport/organised games Environmental interpretation Historical Interpretation Friends Groups Monuments and Public Art At the completion of the QVA each item is scored and the parks are placed into a table. Resources from the following years Capital budget, winter works budget and Planned Maintenance budgets are then targeted at the lowest scoring parks. This allows resource allocation to be determined strategically. When assessed annually in December from 2008 - 2014 Rise Park scored:-

Quality Value

2009 52 31

2010 55 41

2011 52 57

2012 60 46

2013 55 46

2014 68 24

2015 82 39



Fig 13 Quality/Value Analysis Chart 2015 The QVA rating is used to input into the Action Plan and Improvement

Plan for the site. See 3.1 and 3.2. A detailed breakdown of the 2008 -2013 QVA is set out at Appendix 4.2

1.6 Health and Safety

Health and Safety is paramount to Havering Parks and Open Spaces Service. Health and Safety is instilled in all of the working practices and complies with Havering’s Health and Safety Policy, Havering’s Parks and Open Spaces safe working practice and relevant safety legislation.

Training All staff to receive training to enable them to carry out all tasks asked of them. This ranges from on-site instruction to a training course or qualification, as determined through appraisals and one to ones.

Communication There are many avenues for communication of Health and Safety issues. These include Health and Safety Forums that all safety representatives attend, Team Briefings, health and safety notice boards, Departmental Health and Safety Committee (union representative) meetings, staff appraisals and verbal briefings.

Co-operation All staff are required to comply with health and safety measures and managers are encouraged to promote a positive safety culture.

Monitoring Accident and incident reporting provides a means of reactive monitoring. Reporting is presented at CRM and the Health and Safety Forum.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Quality Value Assessment

Quality Value



Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) There is a minimum standard of equipment required for park maintenance staff. All other PPE required is supplied and must be worn when completing tasks. All PPE is correctly stored. Damaged, worn or out of date PPE is replaced.

Vehicle, Machinery and Tools All equipment must be regularly serviced and repaired and all staff are given training on equipment that they are required to use. In some cases certificates of competence are required before equipment can be used. Only operatives with the correct certification are permitted to use the corresponding equipment.

Chemicals The Parks and Open Spaces Section comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994. The Food and Environment Protection Act (Pesticide Regulations) 1984 and has a policy for the Pesticide Reduction. Full Pesticide Reduction Policy can be found at Appendix 4.3

Manual handling All efforts are made to reduce manual handling problems and risk assessments are carried out.

Welfare All workplaces comply with the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992.

First Aid Each area has at least one trained in first aid and all sites have a fully stocked first aid kit. It is the responsibility of the service manager to ensure that the first aid kit is fully stocked at all times.

Emergency Procedures Emergency procedures are displayed at every parks site and all staff are required to be familiar with these. All managers must ensure that they are familiar with fire prevention and understand the use of various types of extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are checked annually by manufacturers.

Raising Health and Safety Concerns All staff are encouraged to raise health and safety issues with their manager or with the health and safety representatives who can raise concerns at the quarterly health and Safety Forum. Advice on safety concerns can be obtained from the H&S Officer

Risk Assessments Risk assessments are carried out as per the Risk Assessment requirements.



Register held by the H&S Officer. The RA register is a record of all RAs and their timetable for review. All Ras are updated and held centrally and the Area Manager holds local copies.

Safety Representatives

Each area has a safety representative who may or may not be member of a trade union. All safety representatives attend the quarterly safety forum.

1.7 Equality Impact Assessment

To ensure that each park in Havering can be accessed by all in the community each management Plan contains a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) form and EIA Action plan. The full Equality Impact Assessment for Lodge Farm Park is detailed at Appendix 4.4

1.8 Parks Byelaws

Rise Park is a park to which the Pleasure Grounds Byelaws are applicable. The byelaws set out what activities and acts are acceptable and those which are not within the park. The Byelaws are set out in full in Appendix 4.5.

1.9 Demographics

Havering covers 11,227 hectares. The area of green belt in Havering is 6,000 hectares, which is almost half of the borough. It is one of only two boroughs in London to have more than 60 square kilometres of green space. Population Latest data from the 2011 census shows there are 236,137 people resident in the borough.

Religion Havering has the highest percentage of Christian religion (65.6%) compared to England & Wales (59.3%) and London (48.4%), and is the highest of all London boroughs. Migrant population 89.7% of Havering residents were born in the UK which is the highest percentage when compared to England & Wales (86.6%) and London (63.3%), and is the highest of all London boroughs.



Age Havering has a significantly older population than the rest of London and higher than the England average. The age breakdown for Havering, London and England is set out below:

Age England London Havering

No % No % No %

0 – 4 3,318,449 6.3 594,495 7.2 13,661 5.8

5 – 7 1,827,610 3.4 301,095 3.7 8,143 3.4

8 – 9 1,145,022 2.2 181,714 2.2 5,087 2.1

10 – 14 3,080,929 5.8 456,865 5.6 14,365 6.1

15 650,826 1.2 93,599 1.1 3,132 1.3

16 – 17 1,314,124 2.5 186,626 2.3 6,439 2.7

18 – 19 1,375,315 2.6 191,434 2.3 5,787 2.4

20 – 24 3,595,321 6.8 629,972 7.7 14,976 6.3

25 – 29 3,650,881 6.9 832,966 10.2 14,662 6.2

30 – 44 10,944,271 20.6 2,070,954 25.3 46,289 19.5

45 – 59 10,276,902 19.4 1,389,882 17 47,853 20.2

60 – 64 3,172,227 6 342,590 4.2 14,561 6.1

65 – 74 4,552,283 8.6 473,058 5.8 20,561 8.7

75 – 84 2,928,118 5.5 308,661 3.8 15,660 6.6

85 – 89 776,311 1.5 80,574 1 4,196 1.8

90 & Over 403,817 0.8 42,456 0.5 1,860 0.8

Total 53,012,406 100 8,176,941 100 237,232 100

Information extracted from Office of National Statistics - 2011 Census

Ethnicity Havering has the highest percentage (83.3%) of English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British compared to England & Wales (80.5%) and London (44.9%), and is the highest of all London boroughs. However, Havering also had the highest percentage increase of all London boroughs for the ethnic groups of White and Black Caribbean (1,143), Pakistani (1,035 people), Caribbean (1,331) and African (6,204). After White British, the next largest ethnic groups in Havering are Black African (3.2%) followed by Other White (3%) and Indian (2.1%). Labour Market 39.7% of Havering residents are economically active full time, which is higher than England & Wales (38.5%) and only slightly less than London (39.8%). The percentage of part time employees mirrors that of England & Wales and is higher than London and Inner/Outer London. Havering has seen an 82% increase since 2001 of those who are economically active but unemployed (the second highest percentage increase after Barking & Dagenham at 83%, whilst the London average was a 38% increase).



The percentage of retired residents within Havering (14.3%) is greater than the London average (8.4) and England & Wales (13.8). Employment / Industry The type of industry residents’ work within consists of 18 categories. The top five industries for Havering residents represent 56% of the working population and are detailed below:

Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor

cycles (14.6%) Construction (11.5%) Human health and social work activities (10.7%) Financial and insurance activities (9.9%) Education (9.3%)

In terms of occupation, there are nine categories. The top three occupational categories for Havering residents are (this represents 44.8% of the working age population):

Administrative and secretarial occupations (17.6%) Professional occupations (14.1%) Skilled trades occupations (13.1%)

Havering has the highest percentage of Administrative and secretarial occupations (17.6%) and Skilled Trade Occupations (13.1%) compared to E&W (11.4% and 11.5%), London (11.7% and 8.3%), Inner / Outer London and all London boroughs. Health Long term health problems – both ‘limited a little’ and ‘limited a lot’ see Havering with the highest percentage (17.3%) of all the London boroughs. However, between 2001 and 2011 there has been a 23.8% increase in the number of Havering residents who believe they are in good health (London had a 34.9% increase).

Detailed demographic information is found at 4.6 of this Management Plan

1.10 Community Involvement Friends of Rise Park achievements 2010 - 2015 2010

Friends of Rise Park formed as a constituted group

2011



Worked with LBH Parks to obtain funding for new Children’s

playground

Organised volunteer groups to paint front railings and gates

2012

After group falling dormant through lack of Chair, new Chair and

committee formed, with top agenda item to resolve the Flooding issues

in the park

2 Friends undertake Thames 21 River Clean Up Coordinator course to

be accredited to run River clean ups

Work in partnership with Parks Dept, Flood Engineer, local Councillor

and residents to report on the flooding

Set up Social Media Facebook page as well as Friends group email

and mailing distribution list

2013

Flooding issue resolved in late winter with blocked pipe being renewed

Drainage ditches were repaired and reactivated by Parks Dept after

meetings with Parks Development Officer and Flood Engineer

Attended the Annual Parks Forum event

Funding award of a Litterpick Kit from Capital Clean Up Campaign

Worked with 3rd Havering Beavers, cubs, scouts and local residents

and friends to undertake litterpicks

Worked with Thames 21 and local volunteers and Scouts to conduct

River Clean ups

Awarded funding from Community Chest Fund to install Friends Group

Noticeboard; picnic bench and purchase additional Litterpick and River

Clean up tools

Successfully re-elected a full committee at AGM

Planted over 1000 gifted daffodil bulbs in the main car park beds with

volunteers

2014

Awarded Official Friends Group Status

Awarded £1500 funding from Mayor of London’s Capital Clean up

Campaign to regenerate the exterior of the derelict pavilion

Over 360 man hours of volunteer labour (Friends; HAVCO volunteers;

local football team; Scouts; local artist) to repaint and apply murals to

the pavilion as well as repairing the patio area and planting out donated

planter tubs on the patio

Asked to speak at the Capital Clean Up end of year award ceremony

and Won prize for the “best blog” of the Capital Clean up Campaign

(£50 vouchers spent to purchase more bulbs and summer bedding for

the planters in 2015)



Regular park Litterpicks and River Clean ups

Successfully re-elected a full committee at AGM including Youth

Representative

Consulted with Community on priorities for the park

Obtained donation of 1200 spring bulbs planted out by 120 local

schoolchildren as well as Friends and family volunteers

Received £100 Matched Volunteer hour funding from DHL UK

Foundation

2015

Funded wildflower seed to be able to have all wildflower areas re-sown

Gifted a wild poppy seed collection by local Friend of Rise Park

Awarded Official Friends Group Status by LBH Parks

Attended the Annual Parks Forum event with 2 representatives

Regular Litterpicks in the park

Awarded £692 funding from Mayor of London’s Capital Clean up

Campaign to regenerate the Riverbank, clearing overgrown areas and

to re-paint the shelter

Over 100 man hours of volunteer labour with the cubs and scouts to re-

paint shelter, Litterpick and weed clear. 200 hours of volunteer work by

Thames Chase volunteers in the River bank clearing project

2 of the 3rd Havering Scouts group started to attend Friends Group

meetings and Friends Group Chair attended Scouts session to run

workshop on work in the community and consultation for park

improvement ideas

Engagement with Byron Redstar Football Club to hold Litterpick kit on

site for football teams to use on match/training days

Worked with LBH Parks Development Officer to plan funding

application for Veolia Trust based upon consultation feedback

Researched History of Rise Park

Successfully re-elected a full committee at AGM including a

representative from local business in the area

The Friends are now an established group with an active committee and 4 of the committee members in 2015 are original Friends Group committee members still as passionate about their local park as ever. We have a very good working relationship with our Parks Development Officer as well as engagement with over 60 people on our mailing list and a reach of over 200 on Facebook social media updates. We work closely with 3rd Havering Beavers, cubs and scouts as well as with local Parklands Infants School on projects to support the park.



Fig 14 a meeting of the Friends of Rise Park at Havering Town Hall

1.11 Community Consultation

Residents and park users are surveyed on a regular basis on a range of issues relating to their satisfaction and use of parks. The latest surveys from 2013 is listed below. Your Council Your Say Survey 2013

The Your Council Your Say Survey looks at residents’ satisfaction with Havering and the services they receive from the Council, and what their priorities are for spending and improvement over the next couple of years. In addition, the survey draws together suggestions from residents about how to improve their local area and asked residents if they would like to be kept informed about how they might become involved in their local area.

The consultation included:

A survey of households in Havering

An online survey for Havering residents

The Freepost copy of the survey was distributed to every household in the borough within the Council’s ‘Living in Havering’ magazine, as well as to public amenities such as leisure centres, libraries and schools – approximately 112,000 in total. The survey was also made available to complete online via the Council’s website.

The survey contained questions on the following topics:

Your local area



Council services

Priorities for local area

Local information

Volunteering and Havering Circle

Survey response

The survey was carried out between Monday 25th March and Friday 10th May 2013.

6,204 surveys were completed in hard copy

1,048 surveys were completed online

Giving a total of 7,252 responses (6.5% response rate)

Profile of respondents

The results have been weighted by age and gender interlocked, ethnicity and illness/ disability to provide a demographic representation of the borough. We can therefore be 99% confident that the results are broadly representative of the population of Havering, within ±1.5% points.

Age

The unweighted results show that of those who provided their age, the majority of responses were received from residents aged 65-74 and 55-74. Fewer younger and older residents completed the survey.

Unweighted

Count Unweighted

Valid Weighted

Valid

16 to 17 7 * 2%

18 to 24 50 1% 12%

25 to 34 339 6% 15%

35 to 44 616 11% 16%

45 to 54 820 15% 17%

55 to 64 1,129 21% 14%

65 to 74 1,253 23% 11%

75 to 84 890 17% 9%

85 to 89 203 4% 3%

90 or over 76 1% 1%

Not known 1,869 - -

TOTAL 7,252 100% 100%

Gender

The unweighted results show that of those who provided their gender, 41% were male and 59% female.



All Residents Unweighted

Count Unweighted

Valid Weighted

Valid

Male 2,159 41% 47%

Female 3,065 59% 53%

Not known 2,028 - -

TOTAL 7,252 100% 100%

Ethnicity

The unweighted results show that of those who provided their ethnicity, 96% were White and 4% Non-white.

Unweighted

Count Unweighted

Valid Weighted

Valid

White 5,006 96% 90%

Non-white 207 4% 10%

Not known 2,039 - -

TOTAL 7,252 100% 100%

Long-standing illness/disability

The unweighted results show that of those who provided an indication of their health, 23% said they have a long-standing illness/disability and 77% have no long-standing illness/disability.

Unweighted

Count Unweighted

Valid Weighted

Valid

Long-standing illness/disability

1,187 23% 20%

No long-standing illness/disability

4,074 77% 80%

Not known 1,991 - -

TOTAL 7,252 100% 100%

Years lived in the borough

The unweighted results show that of those who provided an indication of the length of their residence in the borough, 44% of residents have lived here for 26-50 years. 9% of residents have recently moved into the borough (within the past 5 years).

Unweighted

Count Unweighted

Valid Weighted

Valid

0 to 5 years 430 9% 16%

6 to 25 years 1,265 26% 37%



26 to 50 years 2,191 44% 35%

51 or over years

1,039 21% 13%

Not known 2,327 - -

TOTAL 7,252 100% 100%

Addresses of respondents

Fig 15 Distribution of responses to the 2013 survey

The map on page 32 shows the distribution of responses across the 18 wards in Havering. It should be noted that 6% of respondents did not give their postcode and are therefore not included in the map.

The highest numbers of surveys came from Upminster (711) and Cranham (628), with the fewest returns from Emerson Park (250) and Pettits (176).



Main results Overall satisfaction Satisfaction with the local area as a place to live Just over three quarters (76%) of residents agreed that they are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (up 1% point from 2011), with just 11% disagreeing with this statement. Analysis of these results shows that satisfaction with the local area is higher for older residents aged over 75. Satisfaction is also higher for residents who have recently moved into Havering (within the last 5 years). Cleanliness and tidiness of the local area 84% of residents reported their local park to be clean and tidy. 75% of residents also said that their local streets are clean and tidy. Older residents (aged over 65) were more likely to report that the local area (streets and parks) is clean and tidy. Overall satisfaction by Ward

Fig 16 Satisfaction by Ward



Council services

This part of the survey asked residents about satisfaction with Council services such as housing, libraries, planning, rubbish collection and social services.

We asked residents the extent to which they agree or disagree that they are satisfied with a range of services provided by the Council.

2013

I am satisfied with… Strongly Agree /

Agree

Rubbish collection 85%

Recycling (orange bags) 81%

Libraries 81%

Parks & green spaces 75%

Cleaning the streets 57%

Sports & leisure 51%

Housing services & advice 45%

Social services (adults) 41%

Planning services & advice 36%

Social services (children) 32%

More than four fifths of residents reported being satisfied with the rubbish collection (85%), recycling (81%) and library services (81%) provided by the Council. Three quarters (75%) of residents were satisfied with parks and green spaces, and more than half were satisfied with cleaning the streets (57%) and sports and leisure facilities (51%).

We also asked residents the extent to which they agree or disagree with the following statements about their local area:

How clean and tidy is your local park?

Very / fairly clean and tidy

Clean and tidy - local park 2013 84%

2012 73%*

* Figures include non-response



Priorities for local area

This part of the survey asked residents what should be the Council’s top five priorities over the next two years such as improving health, maintaining roads and pavements and supporting local businesses and jobs.

Priorities Rank

Reducing crime & anti-social behaviour 80% 1st

Maintaining roads & pavements 79% 2nd

Keeping Havering clean & tidy 66% 3rd

Supporting local businesses & jobs 44% 4th

Reducing traffic congestion 34% 5th

Providing high quality parks & green spaces 33% 6th

Improving people’s health 30% 7th

Supporting schools 27% 8th

Supporting vulnerable adults & children 24% 9th

Promoting activities for young people 23% 10th

Promoting activities for older people 16% 11th

Providing high quality local libraries 14% 12th

Putting on family events 11% 13th

Other 6% N/A

1.12 Events

The park has regular sports events with football played on a number of pitches by Byron Red Star at the park every weekend during the playing season. The Friends of Rise Park have organised a number of events in the park including painting the pavilion and the railings. As the park develops a number of events are being planned to become regular events. Walks and talks and a family fun day.

1.13 Awards and Recognition

The Friends of Rise Park were awarded Official Friends of Havering’s Parks status in 2013, 2014 and 2015 For details of Havering’s Official Friends programme see Section 4.20



Fig 17 The Friends of Rise Park are awarded Official Friends status by Cllr Melvin Wallace at the Parks Forum 2015 The Park was awarded a Silver award in the Large Park of the Year category at the London in Bloom awards 2015.

1.14 Finance

Rise Park has recently been fortunate to receive capital investment that has been used to develop the park. The revenue budget has been restructured to improve the quality of service provision. There is a commitment from Havering to ensure that there is a continuous investment programme in the parks and open spaces. Improved parks management is ensuring the best use of existing revenue budgets and exploring new sources of income with which to improve the standards of parks. The full details of the budget for Rise Park are at 4.7

1.15 Security

The security of Havering’s parks and open spaces is managed by the Parks Protection Service. Our objective is to move away from the prohibitive forms of security management to become leaders in the community and create local peer pressure and respect for the park and through this to become more “self-policing”. It is recognised that this approach will not work across the entire social spectrum and it may still be necessary to resort to more traditional forms of resolving anti-social behaviour. Officers from the Parks Protection Service patrol the parks on a frequency level as dictated by the levels of anti-social behaviour.



There are three levels of patrol frequency; Level A - at least two patrols daily Level B - at least one patrol in every two days Level C - at least two patrols in a week

Fig 18 An Officer from the Parks Protection Service on patrol In order to assist with this the Parks Protection Service have made links with a number of partners who work together to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The Neighbourhood Safety Team

The Metropolitan Police

PCSO’s The Parks Protection Service are based in Raphael Park. They attend a wide range of liaison meetings these are designed to identify issues, then target and task resources from a wide range of services. The security services from Havering’s Parks and Open Spaces work in many of these combined operations to reduce anti-social behaviour. In addition the Parks Protection Service obtains information from the Friends of Rise Park and from individuals who are part of a borough wide Park Watch scheme.



The Parks Protection Service have a wide range of vehicles to assist them in patrolling the parks. The main vehicles are the 4 x 4 Ford Ranger and a Landrover which enable “off road” capabilities and allow the officers to continue to work in snow and icy conditions. In addition they have a quad bike and rapid response motor cycles. All of the vehicles are marked and are highly visible.

Fig 19 The Parks Protection Service 4x4 Ford Ranger on evening patrol During their patrols the Parks Protection Service are able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices on issues such as dog fouling and littering, before issuing these notices the Parks Protection Service deliver local education programmes to ensure the local community are aware of what they can and cannot do. The Parks Protection Service helped to educate the public on dog fouling issues in 2011 through the Keep Britain Tidy initiative “There is No Such Thing as the Poo Fairy”. Although difficult to quantify the actual impact of the campaign, the number of complaints received about dog fouling has reduced significantly.



Fig 20 One of the Parks Protection Service Rapid Response Motorbikes Rise Park Issues This remains an intermittently busy park, particularly favoured by the pupils of Marshalls Park School, based quite nearby. The old sports pavilion still stands on site disused but has been painted and decorated with murals by the Friends group, in order to enhance the look of that corner. Graffiti has not followed the same which is encouraging. Large groups of youths of school age can sometimes gather at this site during warm summer evenings but are generally well behaved. Some access by unauthorised motor cycles has been experienced, on a few occasions, as the riders’ use this park to enter and use the nearby Golf Course land, which is not patrolled by the Parks Protection Service team. There has been one known instance of damage to the parks play area, where a weak set of railings was apparently pushed over by youths and some minor melting of the clear plastic main notice board, by a lighter or similar item. Some signs of usage of legal and illegal highs can occasionally be found peak season, possibly left by youths climbing into the grounds parks closure. However, no significant complaints have been received from parks users or local neighbours.



Fig 21 Quad bikes assisted the Parks Protection Team to carry out patrols in the snow Rise Park is opened and closed daily including Christmas Day and all other Bank Holidays. The park is opened at 7.30am and closed half an hour after dusk. Havering’s Grounds Maintenance Service is responsible for opening and closing the parks gates.

1.16 Access and Usage Rise Park provides a number of activities for all ranges of the local community.

There is vehicular access to the park at Beauly Way leading into the car park and then into the park through a pedestrian gate.

Pedestrian access points to the park include entrances on: Garry Close, Seaforth Close, Cree Way, and Nevis Close. There is an additional pedestrian gate on Beauly way.

There is a rail link at Romford with trains to Liverpool Street, Upminster, Southend Victoria and Clacton on Sea.

Buses; 103 375 499 and 575 (Night bus).

1.17 Environment and Sustainability

The use of pesticides within the park is minimised as much as possible in the interests of nature conservation and ecology. The Parks and Open Spaces Pesticide Reduction Policy, (See 4.3) sets out the circumstances in which pesticides could be used. It sets annual targets for increasing the use of mulches and reducing the amount of residual herbicides used. All new-planted beds are to be bark mulched.



Climate Change Strategy Havering Council has drafted Climate Change Strategy to ensure that the climate change impact of our services and operations is reduced as far as possible.

As climate change moves forward the impact on Parks and Open Spaces will manifest in a number of ways which Park Managers will need to account for within the management methods used in maintaining parks and open spaces.

A summary of Havering’s Climate Strategy is detailed at 4.9

Composting The Parks and Open Spaces Section operates a partnership composting

programme with Veolia. The objective of the programme is to convert green waste to useful compost and to encourage the public to use the product and their green waste for creating compost.

There are more details on Havering’s composting programme at 4.10

Water Havering has a water usage policy to minimise wastage of water. There are more details on Havering’s water policy at 4.16 Environmental Statement

The Parks and Open Spaces Section will;

Not use peat based products.

Only use wood supplied from a renewable source.

Develop the use of bore holes during major landscape projects

Use “Environmentally Friendly” appliances at all buildings and offices

Develop planting schemes to adapt to the climate change and enhance local biodiversity

Watering will only be carried out when required

The use of under surface watering systems will be developed to minimise water loss through evaporation

The full Environmental Policy is listed at 4.8 Details on Havering’s peat policy at 4.17

Havering’s Tree Strategy The Council recognises the important part that trees play in improving environmental quality, to the raising of quality of life standards, their



contribution to wildlife conservation, air quality and the educational opportunities they provide. Havering has a tree stock in its parks of more than 35,000 trees, Havering’s Tree Strategy sets out the method for the effective management of the tree stock.

1.18 Nature Conservation Introduction

The site is situated to the east of Romford and forms part of a network of parks for wildlife within the area. Broadly speaking, Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth, and includes all species of plants and animals and the natural systems that support them. Havering is an important Borough for Biodiversity in the London context with a substantial area of green belt, three Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 82 Sites Importance for Nature Conservation, and over one hundred parks and open spaces providing habitats supporting protected and Biodiversity Action Plan species such as the great crested newt, adders and water voles. As such, conservation of Biodiversity is one of the core components of the management of all Havering’s parks and open spaces.

Fig 22 Meadow areas of grass at Rise Park

Conserving biodiversity includes restoring and enhancing species populations and habitats, as well as protecting them. Conservation of biodiversity is vital to the successful use and development of parks and open spaces in Havering, after all biodiversity is one of the contributing factors that makes a place so special to visit as well as delivering other



key ecosystem services such as flood management, pollination and the provision of clean air and water. Through the management of its parks and open spaces, the Council has a key role to play in conserving biodiversity. The site is being managed and developed in such a way that it enhances the native species in line with Havering’s Biodiversity Action Plan.

Summary of relevant policy & legislation

Source Key issue

PPS 9 Statutorily protected species, protection of BAP habitats and species

NERC Act Local Authority duty to conserve biodiversity

Wildlife & Countryside Act

UK protected species

Habitats Regulations European protected species

London Plan London’s strategic planning document

UK Biodiversity Action Plan

UK priority species and habitats

London Biodiversity Action Plan

London priority species and habitats

Havering Biodiversity Action Plan

Havering priority species and habitats

England’s Biodiversity Strategy

Government priorities for conservation of Biodiversity

Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy

London’s statutory regional biodiversity strategy

Tracking UK biodiversity progress

International targets for Biodiversity

Birds are a good indicator of the quality of an open space for nature conservation and as the site has recently been replanted it will take some time for the benefits to birds to become clearer. This is reflected in the bird list shown at 4.14, which is expected to improve following the planting works and the creation of the new wild flower area. Recording of species at the site should form a management objective to give clear evidence of the benefits of the improvement programme. Other areas should also be assessed for further opportunities for managing for biodiversity. Planning Policy Statement (PPS9) Biodiversity and Geological Conservation sets out the Government’s national policies on the protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system.



Relevant in this context is that PPS9 identifies protection of local parks and green spaces with nature conservation value from inappropriate development, the identification of a local network of sites to conserve biodiversity, opportunities to implement conservation objectives through section 106 Agreements and planning conditions and the protection of species of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England.

Action: Keep up to date with relevant planning applications that may affect the Park.

Greater London Authority: The Mayor’s Biodiversity Action Plan.

There are over 14 policies and 72 proposals within this document, most of which have been incorporated within the Havering Biodiversity Action Plan.

Local Biodiversity Action Plan

In 2003, led by the Havering Wildlife Partnership, the Havering Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was adopted. The purpose of the Action Plan, which prioritises 6 habitats and 16 species specific to Havering, is to contribute towards targets to conserve biodiversity set at a Regional and National Level. As the BAP process has evolved it has become increasingly important to set achievable targets for nature conservation. Where Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats occur within parks and open spaces in the Borough this will help to inform management to ensure a more targeted approach. The Council continues to host the Havering Wildlife Partnership who meet quarterly. The Partnership is made up of dedicated local naturalists, members of Friends of Groups, representatives from the Essex Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Environment Agency, Natural England and London Biodiversity Partnership together with the Council’s Park and Open Spaces and Environmental Strategy Teams. The focus of the partnership is essentially on biodiversity within Havering. The group are able to provide advice on the management of Havering’s parks and open spaces.

The Government has stated that biodiversity is a crucial component of Local Agenda 21 strategies (UK Biodiversity Steering Group Report, Annex D:1995) and Section 48 of Circular 04/01 (Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) also states that Biodiversity Action Plans should form an integral part of a local authority’s Community Strategy.

Biodiversity is recognised by the Government as a crucial component of Quality of Life (“A Better Quality of Life: a strategy for sustainable development in the UK”) for the communities that local government serves. As such it is a key test for sustainable development.



The loss of biodiversity and the consequent negative environmental impact runs contrary to the aims and objectives of sustainable development. Indeed properly regulated, planned and implemented social and economic activity should offer considerable opportunities to achieve net gain for biodiversity.

The overarching aims and objectives of all 16 species Action Plans and 6 habitat Action Plans of the Havering BAP follow a common format with the following aims:

Promote awareness and knowledge of the species/habitat and in the Borough

Protect, maintain and enhance current populations of the species/ biodiversity of the habitat within Havering

Increase the monitoring and knowledge of the species/habitat within Havering

A full version of the plan can be found at www. havering.gov.uk

The Biodiversity Action Plan targets sixteen key species to promote through improvement of habitats within Havering, these species being:

Great Crested Newt Barn Owl Slow Worm Green Woodpecker Serotine Bats Grey Partridge

Brown Hare House Martin Harvest Mouse Pochard

Water Vole Reed Bunting Bumblebees Skylark Stag Beetles Song Thrush

http://www.camden.gov.uk/



Fig 38 Havering’s Biodiversity Action Plan



Fig 23 A Green Woodpecker

NERC Act (Biodiversity Duty) The Council has a statutory responsibility under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) Act 2006 to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising all of its functions. Effective conservation of biodiversity requires its integration into all activities across the Council and in particular the management of its parks and open spaces. This is a key theme of the England Biodiversity Strategy. The Council ultimately plays a key role in making decisions about the management of its parks and open spaces that affects protected and BAP habitats and species. The management of these sites can have a positive impact on biodiversity, both indirectly providing habitats for wildlife, and in generating environmental impacts on other wildlife sites. Through the identification and implementation of measures to integrate biodiversity into the management of parks and open spaces and ensuring that biodiversity is protected and enhanced in line with current statutory obligations the Council is demonstrating its commitment to the NERC Act. To take this forward and achieve greater benefits, future measures may include raising awareness of staff, managers and elected members with regard to biodiversity issues using available guidance; integrating biodiversity into staff training, using in-house ecological expertise or seeking advice from external bodies and, where necessary,



providing specific training. The Council is also committed to contributing to key local biodiversity initiatives, such as the Havering Local Biodiversity Action Plan, the Local Records Centre (Greenspace Information for Greater London) and Local Site systems and demonstrate progress against biodiversity indicators and targets.

1.19 Promotion (Marketing)

There are a range of methods of promoting the park to the public. Many of these are detailed in the Parks and Open Spaces Marketing and Communications Strategy. This document is used by officers of the parks and Open Spaces Section to improve the promotion of the parks. In addition to those set out in that document, listed below are some of the main promotional and communications methods as used at Rise Park.

Notice boards

New notice boards were installed in spring 2014 detailing information and history about the gardens. Notice boards are located at all of entrances.

Fig 24 The Notice boards at Rise Park

In addition to the main noticeboards there are also interpretation boards providing information on key points of interest in the park.



Fig 25 The Interpretation board by Blacks Lake

Parks Guide

The Parks Section has produced a booklet “A Guide to Havering’s Parks and Open Spaces”, covering all council run parks in the borough. This booklet includes a description of each site, a list of facilities available at each park as well as a section on park services.

These are distributed through libraries, council receptions, appropriate events and activities.

The guide was first published in 2005 and was updated and re-published in 2013.

Internet

www.havering.gov.uk takes the surfer to Havering home page with links to Havering’s, allotments, trees as well as parks and open spaces. Brochure

Rise Park has its own promotional brochure, along with several other parks the contents of the brochure are reviewed and updated annually. The brochure is published in February each year. They are distributed through the local Community Centre, shops, local library and schools. They are also placed in the park notice boards and are available on the Council’s website.



Fig 26 the Cover of the Parks Brochure for Rise Park 2015

Fig 27 The Friends of Rise park Notice board



1.20 Management Team Responsibility

The Parks and Open Spaces Section manage the park. The Parks and Open Spaces Manager has responsibility for the strategic development and overall management of the service manage the Section.

The Parks Senior Management Team controls management of the Parks. This is a group of five officers with key managerial responsibilities.

Operational management including tree management is carried under borough wide contracts and overseen by the Parks Development Coordinator. The infrastructure of the Park (footpaths, furniture, and play equipment) and the management of the Parks Protection Service is overseen by the same officer.

The Grounds Maintenance Service is delivered by an in-house team who are managed by the Grounds Maintenance Manager.

The Historic Buildings and Landscapes Coordinator carries out management of the buildings in the parks and provides operational management on historical landscapes.

The management of Raphael Park is managed by the Raphael Park Manager.

The team is led by the Parks and Open Spaces Manager. The diagram at 4.12 shows the overall structure of the Parks and Open Spaces service and the responsibilities relating to Rise Park.

1.21

Facilities Rise Park is a well-looked after and well-used park.

The features of Rise Park are listed in the table below:

Feature Number

Park benches inc picnic benches

Litter Bins inc recycling bins 12

Notice Boards inc interpretive signs 9

Playground signs 2

Items of play equipment 8

Tennis courts 2

Football Pitches 5

Items of Outdoor gym equipment 9



12

The grounds maintenance features in the park are listed in the table below.

Feature Area

Hardstanding 8753 m²

Grass sports/amenity 37500 m²

Grass meadow 12000 m²

Wildflower area 700 m²

Shrub beds 1040 m²

1.22 Statistics

OS X 551467

OS Y 190688

Nearest Post Code RM1 4XH

Lat (WGS84) N51:35:41 (51.594681)

Long (WGS84) E0:11:07 (0.185314)

LR TQ514906 /

TQ5146790688

mX 20629

mY 6693662

Total area: 9.74 hectares

Land Owner: London Borough of Havering

Ward: Petits

1.23 Customer Service Standards

The Council’s Customer Care Policy is set out below. All relevant Parks Service staff are appropriately trained in respect of the Policy.

We will deal with customers in a polite and sensitive manner and provide a name and contact details.

We will use plain language without jargon when answering customer queries. Care will be taken to ensure that information is handled sensitively and confidentiality is maintained

Customers will be dealt with at the first point of contact. If this is not possible customers will be provided with full and clear contact details



We will keep waiting times in our receptions to ten minutes or less. Estimated waiting times will also be displayed.

We will answer your telephone calls within 25 seconds

We will answer letters and other correspondence within 5 working days. If not we will acknowledge, provide contact details and an indication of when a full response will be provided

We will answer e mails and other electronic correspondence within 2 working days. If not we will acknowledge, provide contact details and an indication of when a full response will be provided

When customers do not speak English as a first language we will provide interpretation or translation services as appropriate

We will protect our staff. Our staff have the right to work without fear of intimidation. Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Verbal, physical racial or sexual abuse towards our staff or customers in unacceptable.

We will deal with complaints about our services promptly and in accordance with our customer services standards. All customers complaining about the council will be offered a copy of the council’s complaints and suggestions leaflet.



Fig 28 the restored pillars at the main entrance to the park.

2.0 Maintenance

The purpose of this section is to set out and link the aims and objectives for the management of the Park to the corporate aims and objectives of the London Borough of Havering. By doing this, the management and maintenance of Rise Park is placed at the heart of Council policy and strategy. Management of parks needs to deliver standards that are high enough to satisfy the needs of park users. Accordingly the Council will work with any Friends groups to put in place a consultation process with park users that credibly reflects the views of all sections of the community and assists the Council to work in harmony with users’ views. The challenge for this Management Plan and the London Borough of Havering, as managers of the Park, is to strike a balance between the habits and wishes of users so that the Park serves the interests of as many users as possible.



In broad terms maintenance will be carried out according to the schedules attached hereto in Section 2 by operatives who have the necessary skills to achieve high and consistent standards. This section sets out the aims and objectives for the management of Rise Park as follows:

To identify and cherish the special character of the Park

To ensure that the management of the Park protects and enhances the biodiversity of the site

To ensure that the management of the landscape maintains the character of the Park as plants grow and mature

To recognise and respect the origins, continuity of record and scale of the Park in terms of its long term maintenance

To ensure that all landscape improvement works are supported by a commitment to maintenance of the same

To ensure that the Park is promoted and managed in order to provide a high quality service for the people using it

To meet the demands and expectations of the local community primarily as a recreational, diverse and enjoyable place

To promote the educational value of the site and to encourage local schools to use the Park for a wide variety of educational purposes

To encourage and promote community involvement in the implementation of the proposals and in the on-going management and development of the Park

2.1 Grass Maintenance Within the Park there are three levels of grass; amenity grass, meadow grass and fine turf. Amenity grass is those areas used for general recreation and formal and informal sports and can include wide open spaces or those areas planted with trees and shrubs. The height of this grass is cut to 25mm throughout the year. The grass clippings are allowed not collected. The grass is cut with tractor mounted gang mowers and ride on triples. Areas where the mowers cannot access and grass around obstacles are cut using strimmers. Grass edges are trimmed using long handled shears on a fortnightly frequency during the growing season.



Many areas of grass are maintained as meadow, these are allowed to grow without being mown; they do require addition litter picking maintenance which is made more difficult by the longer grass. The grass is cut to a height of 100mm in the autumn with a Forage Harvester and removed from the site. All arisings are taken to the composting area at Bedfords Park. Grass is cut using a variety of machines depending on the space available from tractor drawn equipment, ride-on cylinder mowers to pedestrian mowers and strimmers. The level of maintenance will depend on the level of use, with increased repairs, fertilising, and scarifying of those areas subject to heavy wear. Most general repair works to grass will be carried out in the autumn or spring, with areas either re-turfed or seeded.

Grass with naturalised bulbs is not cut until after the bulbs have set, some 6 to 8 weeks after the cessation of flowering. The first cut is usually fairly high; to cut and remove the long grass and bulb leaves, with a subsequent cut to bring the grass down to the amenity grass level.

2.2 Shrub Bed Maintenance

Shrub beds need to be managed to maintain healthy stocks of plants, pruning as necessary and as appropriate for the plant species to remove dead and damaged branches and to retain a natural shape. A count of dead plants will be carried out each autumn and replacement plants will be planted between November to March each year in order to maintain the character of the bed. Replacement planting will use species with a form and flowering habit which is appropriate for the plant’s position in the bed (lower growing at the front, taller in the middle) both to improve the appearance of the feature and minimise the need for pruning to restrain unwanted growth.

All beds will be kept weed free by hand weeding every two weeks. A programme of mulching of the shrub beds will be instigated to improve the appearance of the beds, to maintain moisture levels in the soil and to discourage weed growth. The depth of the mulch will be checked annually in August and topped up in September if required using course grade bark mulch.



Fig 29 Planting in the car park Litter is removed from the shrub beds on a daily basis. Watering is carried out by The Friends of Rise Park. Shrub pruning is carried out dependent on the season of flowering and the type of shrub. In most cases shrubs are pruned after flowering. There are exceptions, such as where shrubs are grown for coloured winter stems or where they are evergreen and pruned to shape.

2.3 Tree Maintenance

The trees in Rise Park are a major asset. However they also have the potential to degrade it, through excessive shading of the ground under and around them, or by causing paths to buckle and subside. Their care and management are therefore vital to the future of the Park. New planting needs to be planned and carried out to maintain a mixed age population of trees, always providing a major presence on the site.

Tree maintenance depends on the age and relative maturity of the tree, species and speed of growth.

New trees will be planted to replace those that fail and to provide a good mix of ages to counteract the possibility of large scale loss of similar aged trees. In addition trees should be planted in anticipation of trees falling or having to be removed in the future.

Newly planted trees will be staked, and planted in an area where they have a 1m diameter circle of ground around the stem which is maintained in a weed free state for the first 3 years at least to encourage a rapid and healthy establishment. Ties and stakes will be checked and adjusted on a regular basis to allow for growth of the tree and to note and remedy any faults.



Pruning is carried out in accordance BS3998, using appropriate and well-maintained tools to remove dead and damaged branches and to encourage the growth of well-formed trees. Advance notice of works will be posted on the park notice board two weeks in advance.

Mature trees are inspected regularly when required and work carried out to maintain the health and safety of those trees. Damaged branches will be removed promptly to minimise damage to the tree and danger and obstruction to park users.

Work on all trees is carried out promptly and to accepted professional standards. During these works, either the public will have restricted access to areas of work, or the park will be closed as a safety measure. Works will be undertaken at the appropriate time of year to avoid disturbing nesting birds. The protection of bats will also be taken into account.

2.4 Cleansing

The collection of litter is extremely important in defining the appearance of the Park and in the consequent respect with which people will treat and use it. Litter is collected on a daily basis with a litter pick of the park being carried out before 10.30am each day. Litter is defined as being man made, paper, cans, bottles, syringes etc, as well as leaves, twigs and other plant detritus.

Where leaves fall in shrub areas, they can be left to help improve the soil and provide winter cover for wildlife, including frogs, toads and hedgehogs.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes a duty on local authorities to keep specified land clear of litter and refuse. Guidance on fulfilling that duty is contained in the “Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse” published by the DETR which essentially defines zones, within which standards are set for cleanliness and time specified for obtaining that cleanliness.

The grounds maintenance team carries out litter picking, emptying of litterbins and the sweeping of paths. The paths are swept by a Scarab mechanical sweeping machine.

The zone applies to all surfaces, paths lawns and beds.

To prevent bins over flowing on days when the park has high numbers of visitors, the grounds maintenance team will carry out additional emptying with the litter bags collected and removed from the site on the same day.

In addition the bins are cleaned and disinfected quarterly to avoid an unsightly accumulation of dirt.

The Parks Service make efforts to educate dog owners to be responsible, particularly close to areas where people are liable to be eating or children playing. Signs are clearly displayed to inform dog owners that:



They should not allow their dogs to foul the area;

If their dogs do foul the surfaces, dog owners should clean up after them and deposit the faeces in one of the dog waste bins on the site.

The Parks Protection Service are able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) for littering and dog fouling. In most cases warnings are issued and this serves to change behavioural patterns.

2.5 Graffiti

We will remove graffiti where we have permission; as long as it is accessible and not higher than 3 metres (it may not be safe for our staff to remove it above this height).

We will remove all graffiti where we have permission to do so, within 5 working days.

We will remove racist or offensive graffiti within 1 working day of notification.

We will make every effort to prosecute caught offenders. We will prosecute any shop owner selling aerosol spray cans to

underage children. We will reward those who provide information which leads to a

successful prosecution up to £1000. We will promote the non-sale of aerosols within the Borough through

our Trading Standards Team.

The park is checked for graffiti Monday-Friday by the Park Manager.

The removal of graffiti is carried out under a partnership arrangement with the Probation Service. Young offenders carry out this work and receive skills training as well as engendering a sense of pride in their local facility.

2.6 Green Waste Recycling

From a number of points of view, sustainability, environmental considerations and to comply with Local Agenda 21, efforts are made to recycle green waste. In doing so it is essential to ensure that the recycled waste only includes acceptable material, i.e.:

Grass clippings

Leaves

Grass edgings

Soft herbaceous cuttings (not woody)

Broken turfs (after lifting and turfing operations)

Shredded shrub prunings

Pruning material is collected from site by the Grounds Maintenance Team and processed by the council’s Green Waste Recycling Unit.

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/community_and_living/consumer_protection/sales_to_children.htm



Grass arising are composted at Bedfords Park.

2.7 Park Furniture

The Parks Service, ensure all items of furniture are clean. The Grounds Maintenance operatives check benches, notice boards and bins every day. Items will be cleaned on a monthly basis or more frequently when heavily used. Repairs will requested by a Defect Report and the Parks Fitter will carry out repairs promptly. Any single replacement or repair will match the existing furniture so that the style of the seat remains consistent.

Fig 30 Park bench at Rise Park

.

Rise Park has bins that take both litter and dog waste. The introduction of the new combination bins began in 2013. These have been accepted by the public following education programmes and community liaison. The bins in the park are emptied by the Grounds Maintenance Team.



Fig 31 Litter and Dog waste bin

2.8 Hard surfaces

There are three main types of hard surface in the park. There is a black tarmac surface, a buff coloured tarmac surface and a loose fill rolled gravel surface (in the woodland walk). All the surfaces are kept clean, with litter swept from tarmac surfaces regularly by the Grounds Maintenance Team using small mechanical sweeping machines. The rolled gravel is cleaned by raking any leaves and debris from the surface. Paths will be kept in a good state of repair, all paths being inspected in annually and any repairs ordered to be carried out between March - November.



2.9 Drains and Gulleys

Drains and gulleys will be inspected regularly by the Park Mananger, kerb edges swept twice a week and cleared of all litter. The drains are cleaned out using a drain sucker annually.

2.10 Inspections of Hard Features

The boundaries (fences and gates) of the park are inspected regularly and necessary repairs carried out as required.

The park has areas of walling, railings and fencing. These function as an efficient boundary for the park but also form part of the park’s historic fabric. It is important to maintain the integrity of these boundaries but also to ensure that biodiversity is conserved. Many of the fences have hedges growing in front of them that are cut in early autumn and early spring.

2.11 Conservation Area

The park has woodland areas that are designated as Conservation Areas. These areas provide habitats for insects, nesting birds and bats. The park also has a large number of bird and bat boxes to encourage nesting. These are checked annually in the autumn and replaced if damaged. The surface of the woodland is allowed to grow naturally with a variety of grasses. These are strimmed annually in the autumn and left as a mulch to decompose under the trees. Litter is removed on a regular basis from the conservation area. Fallen branches are stacked into wood piles to encourage insects.

2.12 Wild Flower Area

The park has wild flower areas provide habitats for insects and help to promote bees and butterflies. The wildflower area is rotavated with a tractor mounted rotavator and sown in March annually. It is then regularly litter picked until late autumn when it is cut and cleared using the forage harvester machine. All arisings are collected from site by the Grounds Maintenance Team and composted at Bedfords Park.



Fig 32 The Wildflower area

2.13 Playground

A play area is situated within the park. The play area meets the LEAP standard (Local Equipped Area for Play). It benefits from safety surfacing, fencing and self-closing gates. The play area is inspected daily by the Grounds Maintenance operatives with full quarterly inspection/repairs by the Parks Fitter. An annual independent inspection is carried out of all play areas and reports are used to programme improvement works.

Fig 33 Rise Park play area



Fig 34 Rise Park play area

2.14 Outdoor Gym

An outdoor gym was constructed in the park in 2011. The gym was supplied and installed by Wicksteed Leisure and a cost of £25k. 50% of the cost of the gym was supplied in a grant by Veolia North Thames Trust. The gym consists of 6 items of equipment and is set in a grass mat surface.

Fig 35 the outdoor gym at Rise Park



The Maintenance schedules for Grounds Maintenance are found at Appendix 4.15

2.15 Tennis Courts

The site has a two tennis courts that were installed in 2015. The courts are free to use and are open all the time. They are swept weekly and are on the six year cycle for repainting.

The Maintenance schedules for Grounds Maintenance are found at Appendix 4.15

Fig 36 the tennis courts at Rise Park

2.16 Computerised Management System During the Spring of 2011 The Parks Section set up the Mayrise Grounds Maintenance Computer Software System. This system has been programmed with all of the inventory information of features on each of the parks sites. The system went live on 1st April 2012 and has allowed accurate control of resource management, improved service traceability, improved grounds maintenance monitoring and budget control. It also allows individual monitoring regimes to be tailored to each park and assists in the objective of celebrating the diversity of Havering’s Parks

It is planned for the system to allow public enquiries on maintenance history by rapidly providing information.



Fig 36 newly planted beds winter 2015/2016



3.0 Action Plans

3.1 SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of Rise Park was carried out by officers from the parks and Open Spaces Service. The analysis determined which areas of the park should be improved and the priority for improvement.

The table below lists the resulting priorities from the SWOT analysis that was

carried out by a number of officers from the Parks and Open Spaces Section. It was carried out by first listing all of the issues and then attaching a score to each item. Many of the issues listed were highlighted during the annual Quality and Value assessment. There were two scores. The first being importance of the item, the second being how much the Parks and Open Spaces Service can change things.

SWOT last updated January 2016

SWOT Importance Changeability control Score Notes

1. A Welcoming Place

Strength Wide Entrances 9 9 81

Strength Open Feel 8 9 72

Strength Trees 8 10 80

Strength Planting 10 10 100

Strength Signage 9 10 90

Strength Sports provision 8 10 80

Strength Outdoor gym 9 10 90

Strength Large children’s play area 9 10 90

Weakness Public toilets 7 9 63

Weakness The building 8 7 56

Threat Friends disbanding 10 6 60

2. Healthy, Safe, and Secure

Strength Overlooked by public housing 8 1 8

Strength Staff in the park 9 10 90

Strength Well used 10 9 90

Strength Pathways in very good condition 8 10 80

Strength Locked at night 9 9 81

Strength Tennis Courts 8 7 56

Strength Sports activities 8 7 56

Strength Parks Protection Service 10 7 70

Opportunity Summer fitness programme of events 9 9 81

Threat Anti social behaviour 10 7 70

Threat Funding maintenance 10 7 70




3. Clean and Well Maintained

Strength Good Trees 10 9 90

Strength Regular programme of grounds maintenance and cleaning 8 10 80

Weakness New planting/ grass need time to establish 9 9 81

Opportunity Develop the building 9 9 81

Threat Lack of revenue budget 10 7 70

4. Sustainability

Strength Good tree coverage 10 9 90

Strength Green waste recycling 8 10 80

Strength Energy efficiency appliances used in all buildings 8 10 80

Strength Use of dead wood 8 10 80

Strength Income budget ringfenced for the park 9 8 72

Strength Grass meadow area 10 9 90

Strength Grass cutting used as compost 10 9 90

Strength Interpretation 8 10 80

Strength Install bat/bird boxes 10 9 90

Opportunity Mulching 9 10 90

5. Conservation and Heritage

Strength Well documented history 10 1 10

Strength Links to historic parks 8 1 8

Strength Provision of information 9 9 81

Strength Management plan and activity plan 10 10 100

Strength Wild grasses and flowers 9 10 90

Opportunity Bird boxes and bat boxes 9 9 81

Threat Pollution 10 7 70

Threat Major flooding 10 7 70

6. Community Involvement

Strength Very active and supportive Friends 10 6 60

Strength Active football club 9 7 63

Strength Official Friends 9 8 72

Strength Website information 9 9 81

Strength Community fundraising 10 7 70

Opportunity Events 9 9 81

Opportunity Wacky about Wildlife 9 9 81

Opportunity Press releases 9 8 72

7. Marketing

Strength Additional Signage 10 10 100

Strength Public information 10 10 100

Strength Website information 9 8 72

Strength Annual brochures 9 10 90

Strength Parks Guide 10 8 80

Opportunity Events programme 10 9 90

Opportunity Using social media 10 8 80

8. Management

Strength Stable Management structure 10 7 70

Strength High Capital investment levels 10 7 70

Strength Political will 10 7 70

Strength Strategic Framework 10 10 100

Strength Parks Protection Service 10 7 70

Strength Control of locking/unlocking 9 7 72

Strength Tree management 10 7 70

Strength Computerised Management systems 10 100 100

Weakness Lack of resources 10 7 70




Opportunity Skills shortage 10 7 70

Opportunity Liaison 9 7 63

Threat Change of Political Administration 5 1 5

Threat Budget Pressures 10 7 70

The Results of the SWOT along with other items contained in this

Management Plan were used to form the Improvement Plan at 3.2 3.2 Improvement Plan

From the SWOT analysis a number of themes emerged those are listed below ranked in score priority. These were prioritised into the Improvement Plan.

The Improvement Plan are the items of importance that are within the scope of the Parks and Open Spaces Service to action change. The items from the Improvement Plan were then used to create and Action Plan 3.3 which determines what areas of work is to be done, who is doing it and how it will be paid for.

SWOT Importance Changeability/ control Score

Notes

Opportunity Mulching 9 10 90

Opportunity Events programme 10 9 90

Weakness New planting/ grass need time to establish 9 9 81

Opportunity Summer fitness programme of events 9 9 81

Opportunity Develop the building 9 9 81

Opportunity Bird boxes and bat boxes 9 9 81

Opportunity Events 9 9 81

Opportunity Wacky about Wildlife 9 9 81

Opportunity Using social media 10 8 80

Opportunity Press releases 9 8 72

Weakness Lack of resources 10 7 70

Opportunity Skills shortage 10 7 70

Threat Anti social behaviour 10 7 70

Threat Funding maintenance 10 7 70

Threat Lack of revenue budget 10 7 70

Threat Pollution 10 7 70

Threat Major flooding 10 7 70

Threat Budget Pressures 10 7 70



3.3 Action Plan The final Action Plan was drafted to improve/correct all of the prioritised weakness and threats as listed in the SWOT. In addition the Action Plan looks to deliver as many of the listed opportunities that were stated during the SWOT exercise. The Action Plan sets out agreed targets, budgets and responsibilities for the improvement of the site.

Task

Timetable Completion Date

Measurement/ monitoring

PSMT Responsibility

Resource Cost

Budget Review Date

Mulching of beds

September 2015

September Annually

New designs and planting schemes set out Tom Fradd N/A

N/A November

Annually

Events programme

February 2016

February Annually

Draft an annual events programme for Rise Park Tom Fradd £1k

Events budget

March Annually

Develop the Building

August 2017

March 2018

Works to the trees on the lake completed Tom Fradd £6k

Tree Maint

Budget December

2015

Install bird boxes and bat boxes

February 2016 June 2016

Bird boxes and bat boxes installed Tom Fradd £1

Parks Capital Budget

August 2016

Wacky about Wildlife

Summer Annually

September Annually

Wacky about Wildlife delivered in Rise Park Tom Fradd £200

Parks Revenue

Budget December 2014

Review of social media methods of communication

March Annually

March Annually

Review completed new methods of communication adopted Tom Fradd N/A N/A

September Annually

Press releases March

Annually March

Annually

Ensure regular information on the park is forwarded to local press

Tom Fradd /Martin Stanton None N/A

April Annually



Task

Timetable Completion Date

Measurement/ monitoring

PSMT Responsibility

Resource Cost

Budget Review Date

In-House training to improve Skills shortage

Feb/March Annually

Feb/March Annually

Commence Apprentices to improve in-house skills levels

Martin Stanton/ Martin Haskell None N/A

October Annually

Undertake a full survey of all of the flora and fauna in the park

March 2015

June 2015

Data available on flora and fauna in the park. Tom Fradd £2k

Parks Revenue

Budget September

2015

Anti-social behaviour

Ongoing review

Ongoing review

Parks Protection monthly anti-social behaviour review

Steve Rawlins/ Tom Fradd None N/A

Monthly review

Review of Funding maintenance

September Annually

September Annually

Additional funds allocated

Martin Stanton None N/A

November Annually

Review of Major flooding risks

October Annually

October Annually

Review the possibilities of major flooding in park and possible solutions

Tom Fradd/ James Rose None N/A

November Annually



4.0 Appendices



4.0 Appendices

4.1 History

Rise Park is to the north of Romford, about 12 miles east of the city of London and is part of the London borough of Havering. During the Middle Ages a small market town grew up here along the main London-Colchester road. Romford market still flourishes, but the old town has been engulfed by commuter suburbs stretching east to Gidea Park and north to Collier Row and Chase Cross. The large Harold Hill housing estate, built by the London county council in 1948–58, forms the north-east corner of Romford.

Romford, or 'Romford side', was a chapelry of the ancient parish of Hornchurch, containing five wards: town, Harold Wood, Collier Row, Noak Hill, and Havering. It remained subject to Hornchurch for church purposes until the 19th century, but for civil purposes was virtually independent by the 16th century. Havering ward became independent for civil purposes in the later 17th century. A local board, later urban district council, was formed for Romford in 1851. The boundary of its district, several times altered, was in 1934 finally enlarged to 9,324 a., an area identical with that of the five ancient wards of Romford side. The district became a municipal borough in 1937. In 1965 it was united with Hornchurch U.D. to form the London borough of Havering.

The old town is about 50 ft. above sea-level, on the upper edge of the gravel terrace that rises from the Thames. Farther north, on the London Clay at Collier Row, the land rises to over 150 ft. The main watercourse is the river Rom, which flows south through Romford and Hornchurch to join the Thames as the river Beam. The old town sometimes suffered from floods, notably that of 1888. By 1936 much of the Rom at the town centre had been culverted. Schemes for a canal from Romford to the Thames were canvassed several times in the 19th century. Between 1875 and 1880 such a canal was actually started, but it was never finished.

The Roman settlement of Durolitum was probably at or near Romford, but its exact site is not known. Most of the Roman remains found there have come from Collier Row, Noak Hill, and Harold Hill. Romford, first recorded in 1153–4, probably means 'wide ford,' from which the river Rom took its name by back-formation.

Schemes for further building in the north of the borough were checked shortly before the Second World War by the Green Belt legislation.

Since the war there has been more building, including some large borough council estates, at Collier Row, and farther east at Chase Cross and Rise Park, but the main area of growth has been Harold Hill, where in 1948–58 the London county council built some 8,200 houses, and some factories, on the former Dagnam Park estate.The site had more natural variety than Becontree and two large areas of park-land were retained. The houses, most of which are of two



storeys, semi-detached, or in short terraces, are notable for their restrained design and the frequent use of a dark red facing brick and plain tiles.

Rise Park’s name is a modern invention based on the old local name Risebridge, which was first recorded in the 13th century as Risebregge. This probably derived from Old English words referring to a causeway made with brushwood, which would have helped wayfarers traverse the marshy ground here.

Much of Risebridge’s farmland was acquired during the First World War by Tommy England, a local trader and property speculator. Despite his own surname, England gave most of the new roads names derived from the geography of Scotland. To the west of Rise Park, Lawns Way and Lawns Park are named after the former Lawns House, the area’s only large property in the 19th century.

Housebuilding in Rise Park started in the 1920s and accelerated in the 1930s. England donated the land for the 23-acre public park, which opened in 1937. In the same year the Rise Park estate went on the market, through local agents Hilbery Chaplin.

The promotional literature proclaimed that with its rural atmosphere and various different types of houses this was “undoubtedly one of the most attractive estates in Romford … For the housewife who requires less work and does not wish to climb stairs there are bungalows, detached or semi-detached.” Prices started at £610 freehold.

Four hundred private houses would be built in Rise Park after Romford Council failed to secure a compulsory purchase order for the land.

It meant the council wouldn’t be able to build council houses as it hoped. Instead, the homes built would be for private buyers, costing between £2,000 and £2,350.

Objections came from the people who owned the land and had already planned to build on it.

The borough surveyor Hugh Hird conceded that private developers Messrs Jackson would be able to complete a development faster than the council, but the deputy town clerk Mr J. E. Symons said there was “no doubt” that council houses were more needed than private houses for sale.

The houses that would now be built were expected to constitute the London area’s largest post-war development.

The area suffered bombing during the Blitz and saw further building after the Second World War, with another flurry more recently.

http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.asp?ID=HVG031

http://www.hilberychaplin.co.uk/



Rise Park infant and junior schools were built on Annan Way in the late 1950s. The schools converted to academy status in 2014 under the aegis of the Rise

Park Academy Trust.

Rise Park forms part of Thomas England's vision of a 'Green Lung' running through the borough connecting Romford in the south to Havering Atte Bower in the north. England, a local trader and Councillor, was instrumental in various public improvement schemes in the borough between the two World Wars. In order to realise his green corridor through the borough, in 1937 he donated 23.5 acres of land for the creation of Rise Park to connect Raphael Park and Bedfords Park. In the 1960s the Romford Official Guides were able to promote a long distance walk through 4 Council-owned parks, including Lodge Farm (constructed in the early 1960’s), Raphael Park, Rise Park and Bedfords Park.

Fig 37 Thomas England with Council officials at the opening of Rise Park 1937 The park was opened in 1937 and was laid out with children's play area and paddling pool.

Fig 38 the paddling pool in Rise Park

http://www.risepark-jun.havering.sch.uk/Rise-Park-Academy-Trust-and-Local-Governing-Body

http://www.risepark-jun.havering.sch.uk/Rise-Park-Academy-Trust-and-Local-Governing-Body



In 1939 Gidea Park CC found a new home at Rise Park but facilities were not ideal, each match requiring a marquee to be erected. In 1940 the Secretary reported that the season had been marred by hold ups due to air raids and two large bomb craters on the outfield! Finally, after temporary use of the South Essex Waterworks ground, the club applied to the Council to use the Gidea Park Sports ground. Park borders Risebridge Golf Course which was opened in 1972 by Havering Council on former land of Risebridge Farm. Rise Park’s name is a modern invention based on the old local name Risebridge, which was first recorded in the 13th century as Risebregge. This probably derived from Old English words referring to a causeway made with brushwood, which would have helped wayfarers traverse the marshy ground here.

Fig 39 Plan of the original layout of the park. The stream running through Rise Park is not named (although on an incorrectly mapped Environment Agency map it is named as Orange Tree Stream). It originates from a spring up in Havering Atte Bower and flows underground at the main culvert near Rise park play area to join the River Rom at North Street whilst the spur off to form the Rise Park Drain running around the border of the park and golf course flows underground to join Blacks Brook in Raphael Park at Brook Road entrance. In 1964 a pavilion was built and wooden huts to the far side of the stream. It is understood the ground was used by former Romford Athletics club with the park



being laid out with a marked running track; two throwing circles; a long/high jump pit and practice cricket nets. The park had a cricket pitch and was used for regular cricket matches during the summer months. The Friends of the park were formed in 2010. In 2014 the Friends of Rise Park were awarded Official Friends Group Status. In 2015 the Friends made a successful application to Veolia North Thames

Trust based upon consultation feedback. The park was awarded £70,000

The Friends researched the history of Rise Park for this Management Plan.

The park was presented with a Silver Award in the Large Park of the Year

Category in London in Bloom 2015.

During the winter of 2015/16 the Parks Service undertook restoration works to

the park including;

New signage

New interpretation signage

New bins

New benches

New planting

New inner gate from the car par to the park

Repairs to the main gates

Replacement pillars at the main entrance

New outdoor gym equipment

The creation of two tennis courts

The Friends of Rise Park undertook a major repainting programme and

repainted the railings and gates.

Fig 40 the Outdoor Gym



4.2 Detailed Quality/Value Assessment

Below is the detailed breakdown of the QVA score Rise Park from the QVA inspection carried out in December 2009.

Quality Assessment Score

Good and safe access 3/5

Signage 1/5

Equal access for all (DDA) 0/3

Safe equipment and facilities 5/5

Personal security 2/3

Dog fouling 4/5

Nature Conservation 4/5

Quality of Design 5/6

Litter and waste management 0/5

Grounds maintenance and horticulture 2/6

Sustainability 2/6

Building and infrastructure maintenance 0/2

Playgrounds and MUGA’s 4/4

Total 32/60

Quality score expressed as percentage 52%

Value Assessment Score

Informal recreation and play 3/5

Formal recreation 3/5

Green barrier 1/3

Place of special identity 1/4

Recognisable features of local importance 1/5


Visible from parts of the surrounding area 2/5

Visually attractive 2/4

Provide fit for purpose screening 0/2

Historical value 1/2

Located in a conservation area 5/5

Contribution to Biodiversity Action Plan 5/21

Sport/organised games 1/1

Environmental interpretation 2/5

Historical Interpretation 0/5

Friends Groups 0/5

Monuments and Public Art 0/3

Total 29/94

Value score expressed as percentage 31%



Below is the detailed breakdown of the QVA score for Rise Park from the QVA inspection carried out in December 2010.



Signage 1/5




Dog fouling 1/5





Sustainability 2/6



Total 33/60





Green barrier 1/5













Friends Groups 4/5


Total 39/94







Signage 1/5




Dog fouling 1/5





Sustainability 2/6



Total 33/60





Green barrier 1/5













Friends Groups 5/5


Total 52/94




Below is the detailed breakdown of the QVA score for Rise Park from the QVA inspection carried out in January 2012.



Signage 1/5




Dog fouling 4/5





Sustainability 1/6



Total 35/60





Green barrier 1/5













Friends Groups 4/5


Total 43/94







Signage 1/5




Dog fouling 1/5





Sustainability 2/6



Total 33/60





Green barrier 1/5













Friends Groups 4/5


Total 43/94




Below is the detailed breakdown of the QVA score for Rise Park from the QVA inspection carried out in January 2014



Signage 1/5




Dog fouling 4/5





Sustainability 1/6



Total 39/60





Green barrier 1/3













Friends Groups 5/5


Total 25/94




Below is the detailed breakdown of the QVA score for Rise Park from the QVA inspection carried out in January 2015



Signage 5/5




Dog fouling 3/5







Sustainability 4/6

Total 47/58





Green barrier 1/5













Friends Groups 5/5


Total 37/94




4.3 Pesticide Reduction Policy

4.3 1 Introduction

4.3.1.1 It has been widely recognised that indiscriminate use of pesticides in the past has led to significant environmental damage and damage to human health. In addition, the use of pesticides without full knowledge of the environmental and health implications is now no longer acceptable, and due caution in their use is enshrined in legislation and regulation both at European and National level.

4.3.1.2 Havering’s Parks Service has developed a pesticide (reduction)

strategy aimed at minimising the use of pesticides and the risks which pesticides can present.

4.3.1.3 The pesticide (reduction) strategy is considered to be a useful

contribution to the development of Local Agenda 21 in Havering. The strategy recognises that the use of pesticides is not always necessary and that more environmentally friendly alternatives are available.

4.3.1.4 The strategy recognises that when it is absolutely essential to use

pesticides, their use is strictly controlled and limited to specific tasks. In the context of Local Agenda 21 development in Havering, the pesticides (reduction) strategy is considered a step towards a more sustainable use of resources in grounds maintenance operations.

4.3.1.5 The pesticide (reduction) strategy covers all aspects of pesticide use in

the Borough of Havering. 4.3.1.6 The Parks Service’s grounds maintenance specification has been

written with the minimum requirement for the programmed use of pesticides. No Pesticides are used at Rise Park.

4.3.2 What are Pesticides 4.3.2.1 A pesticide is any organic or inorganic preparation, substance or

organism approved under the Control of Pesticide Regulations (COPR) 1986 (1993). The term pesticides includes:

(a) Herbicides (b) Insecticides (c) Fungicides (d) Ovicides (e) Growth regulators (f) Soil Sterilants (g) Animal repellents (h) Wood preservatives



4.3.2.2 Pesticides have different types of modes of actions these being:

(a) Contact (b) Translocated (c) Residual (d) Residual – absorbed by roots (e) Systemic

4.3.3 Protection of Wildlife and Wild Plants 4.3.3.1 In making plans for pesticide use, consideration should be given to

the importance of habitats for wildlife and wild plants, especially where there are hedges, ditches, grassland, scrub, shrubs and areas of water.

4.3.3.2 Contamination of habitats by insecticides, herbicides or fungicides,

either by direct application or from drift, should be prevented to avoid harmful effects on beneficial invertebrates and other wildlife.

4.3.3.3 Unnecessary pesticide use in amenity areas, i.e. areas not used for

agriculture, commercial horticulture, forestry or domestic gardens, may involve risks to the health of human beings, creatures, plants and the environment, the development of resistance, and the destruction of beneficial invertebrates. The Food and Environmental Protection Act1985 states the need to safeguard the environment as well as human health when choosing and applying pesticides.

4.3.3.4 Consideration must be given to the proximity of water features, free

Draining areas and drains and to particular sites which may be sensitive to pesticides.

4.3.4 Identifying the “Pest” Problem 4.3.4.1 For the Parks Service, a “pest” is defined as:

(a) Undesirable weeds: (i) which disrupt and raise tarmac, concrete and paved areas,

creating a hazard (ii) which harbour vermin (iii) disrupt the playing surfaces for fine turf sports

(b) Fungal diseases:

(i) which can damage the health of fine turf grasses (ii) control of fungal diseases on fine turf

(c) Harmful insects:

(i) control of Brown Tail Moth in spring/summer .



4.3.4.3 Before selecting a pesticide the following questions should be considered by the Contracts Inspector.

(a) is there really a “pest” problem?

(b) Why is there a problem?

(c) Can the problem be solved by changing the environmental

conditions, and if so what alternatives are available?

(d) Can the “pest” problem be controlled/prevented without the use of pesticides?

(e) Is it absolutely necessary to be free from the “pests”?

(f) Can the problem be allowed to resolve itself?

4.3.4.4 The decisions whether to apply a pesticide or not should be made

Only after:

(a) Correctly identifying the pest, and the probably degree of infestation or infection and whether it is a problem.

(b) Considering alternative pest control measures, e.g. any

biological or mechanical methods which will control or prevent the reoccurrence of the problem.

(c) Considering any previous experience of the problem and control

methods. (d) Determining whether it is the correct time to apply a pesticide. (e) Considering the suitability of weather conditions.

4.3.5 Applying Pesticides 4.3.5.1 All pesticides will be applied in accordance with methods as set out in

the Pesticide Regulations

4.3.5.2. All operatives using pesticides will hold the relevant NPTC training certificate.

4.3.5.3 All precautions must be followed to ensure the safety of the public and the environment whilst spraying is in operation. avoid spraying near people and animals.

4.3.5.4 Warning signs should be positioned around the spray area



4.3.6 Training 4.3.6.1 The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 impose a general

obligation on all those who use pesticides in the course of their work to ensure that they have received adequate instruction and guidance in the safe, efficient and humane use of pesticides and are competent for the duties which they are called upon to perform.

4.3.6.2 Contract Inspectors shall receive training on pesticides to the basic

standard of the National Proficiency Tests Council’s Pesticide Application (PA) modules – PA1 and PA6.

4.3.7 Request to Spray Pesticides Pro-Forma

REQUEST TO SPRAY PESTICIDES

Contractor name:……………………………………………………………... Name of operative:…………………………………………………………… Location to be sprayed:……………………………………………………… Date of spraying:………………………Duration:…………………………... Reason for application:………………………………………………………. Name of pesticide:……………………………………………………………. Active ingredient:……………………………………………………………... Application rate:………………………………Water Volume:…………….. Size of area to be sprayed…………………………………………………... Method of application: ( ) CDA ( ) Knapsack ( ) Tractor mounted ( ) Walkover Calibration sheet used: ( ) YES ( ) NO If no please state below how you propose to calibrate the spraying equipment: ………………………………………………………………………………… Measures taken to dispose of surplus pesticide/tank washings: …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………. All spraying operations shall be carried out in accordance with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and Health & Safety guidelines. I hereby Authorise/Reject the use of the above mentioned pesticide. (If the request to spray is rejected, the contractor will be notified in writing to the reason(s) why on the day of the assessment of the request). Authorising Officer:………………………….. Signature:……………… Date:………………………………………………………………………..



4.3.8 Non-Chemical Alternative Methods of Control

4.3.8.1 Toleration The main reason for the control of weeds on hardstanding and shrub beds is aesthetic (it looks neat and tidy). In certain circumstances weeds will damage hard surfaces and complete with plants for light moisture and nutrients, but these are not usual unless the weeds have been permitted to grow to a size when damage/competition can occur. The usual process is to remove them long before this can occur. In managing the hardstanding and shrub beds the question of toleration needs to be looked at in each site. Do we need this path/shrub bed to be 100% weed free? If yes a further question should them be asked - What method of weed control should be used? (See alternative methods of weed control). If it is agreed that certain paths/shrub beds do not need to be 100% weed free then tolerance levels need to be agreed and set. Following this the method of control needs to be specified.

4.3.8.1 Mulching The amount of residual herbicides used can be greatly reduced by using mulch across the top of the shrub/rose beds. There is a range of products that can be used for mulching bark spent mushroom compost well rotted FYM organic compost leaf litter mypex plastic sheeting Black woven plastic Microperforated polyethylene fabric Non-woven wool Non-woven fleece Carpet Cardboard Compressed peat paper Newspaper Compost Well rotted manure Leaf mould Forest bark Sawdust Shredded prunings/wood chips Gravel/shingle



Each one of these products has different qualities and need to be applied at sufficient depth to work correctly. Organic mulches require regular topping up but have the advantage of improving the soil and adding nutrients. All mulches should be applied to a weed free surface.

A well applied mulch will not only look attractive it will also ensure a virtually weed free surface. Mulches should be applied in October while the heat is still in the ground. The mulch then as an insulating layer, trapping the heat in and protecting the plants. If the mulch is applied in March the reverse happens and the soil takes a longer period of time to warm up.

4.3.8.3 Hoeing The garden hoe is one of the main weapons used to control weeds. There are two basic types of hoe. The Dutch Hoe The Swan Neck Hoe It is important when using the hoe to ensure that it is sharp as it makes working easier. Hoeing is mainly used to remove individual weeds and is a very good method of control for annual weeds; it is not such a good control of perennials, as the cut stem will grow again from the rootstock.

Hoeing on a regular basis also has a residual control as it creates a “dust mulch” on the surface of the beds by breaking the water capillaries just under the surface. The dust mulch helps reduce the ability of weed seeds to germinate. The dust mulch will be broken during irrigation or rainfall.

4.3.8.4 Strimming

Nylon corded strimmers can be used to remove weeds from hard standing, they should not be used for weeding beds as they catch stones and throw them considerable distances. Strimmers are particularly effective on annual weeds or in areas where the weeds can be tolerated to a height limit. They are very effective and quick in skilled hands. However they are noisy and there use in public places needs to be carefully considered. With brush-cutting heads fitted strimmers are able to cut down dense non-woody vegetation.



4.3.8.5 Manual Weeding Manual weeding is still the only effective way of removing plants from certain situations without causing any collateral damage. It is expensive because it is very labour intensive. It can be hazardous in areas where sharps are found. It is a good method of removing perennial weeds. Protective gloves must be worn at all times.

4.3.8.6 Burning There are a number of devices on the market that can be used to control weeds by burning. Most of these use a combustible liquid (e,g, paraffin) under pressure and ignited at the nozzle. The jet of flame then burns the target. Flame control should only be used for control of weeds on hard surfaces. The use of flame control can cause macadam surfaces to break up. Therefore the use of flame control is very limited by opportunity. These devices have been quite dangerous and a number of industrial accidents have been caused to operatives. In addition they should not be used in periods of drought as they could easily burn off more than the intended target. Full risk assessments would need to be carried out before using any method of flame control device.

4.3.8.7 Planting Densities Weeds germinate and grow best when they have opportunity to do so and there is little competition or where the weed is able to suppress the competition. When designing and planting new shrub borders the usual method of design is to aim for a closed canopy within three years. (A closed canopy is where the plants that were planted a set distance apart have eventually grown to the point where they meet and appear as one large group). In the period before the closure of the canopy weeds have an opportunity to establish in the gaps between the newly planted shrubs. The planting distance between the shrubs determines how quickly the canopy closes. By reducing the gap the canopy can be closed within 18 months or even within the next growing season to when the shrubs were planted. This increases the competition on any weeds that have



germinated and also acts as a suppressant to further weeds, reducing the possibility of them germinating.

4.3.8.8 Weed Control: Hard Surface areas

Sweeping, Waipanua Hot water treatment system, Hoaf Weedmaster Heat treatment system

4.3.8.9 Weed Control: Fine Turf Scarifying Raking Brushing Switching Aeration Organic Substances, i.e. liquid iron, Liquid fertilisers Biological, i.e. Inhibiter (trade name) contains natural plant Solutes.

4.3.9 Legislation 4.3.9.1 Legislation governing the use of pesticides includes:

(a) The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (b) The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (c) The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

1988 (d) The Water Act 1989 (e) The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (f) Control of Pollution Act 1974 (g) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

4.3.9.2 There are also a number of Codes of Practice which are aimed at

Users of pesticides in public areas, which give practical guidance, including methods of meeting the requirements of COSHH.

4.3.9.2 Any pesticide must be used in accordance with the “General Consents”

issued under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. Consent C (a), paragraph 2, states that users of pesticides shall take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings, animals and plants, to safeguard the environment and in particular to avoid pollution of water.

4.3.10 Current list of approved Products for use in Havering’s Parks

and Open Spaces Glyphosate Casaron G* Casaron G4* * Only use of existing stocks



4.4 Equalities Impact Assessment

EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Part ‘B’

Title of Policy/ Function Equalities Impact Assessment - Rise Park

Name of Author Martin Stanton

Date of creation/review 06 /01/ 2016

Version No. 01

PLEASE OUTLINE THE RESULTS OF YOUR IMPACT ASSESSMENT BELOW

B1 What are the aims and proposed outcomes of your policy/function?

To ensure that Rise Park is accessible and welcoming to the widest range of the Community.

B2 What research has been undertaken?

Rise Park was surveyed in 2011 – “Your Council, Your Say” and in 2012 the “Spring Clean Survey”. The local demographics were researched during the drafting of Havering’s Open Space strategy. An assessment of local crime reports and incidents is undertaken monthly. A full consultation programme was undertaken in 2011 and again in 2012 on the reconstruction of the park with users and non-users if the park and a wide range of partner organisations. Annual Quality and Value assessments B3 What consultation has taken place? (who has been consulted, and by what method?)

(a) Internally within the Authority

A SWOT was undertaken with officers from the Parks Section. Key to the objectives of the SWOT was how to ensure that Rise Park can be more accessible and welcoming to the widest range of the community .

(b) Externally B4 What feedback was received?

The pathways were not safe There were not enough activities in the park Disabled access to the park was very good. Signage was poor.

B5 What amendments, if any, have been incorporated into the policy/function to reflect that feedback?



All the pathways were resurfaced. The tennis courts were rebuilt, the outdoor gym was improved New signage was installed at all gates.

B6 If changes were recommended but not incorporated, what justification is there for this?

N/A

B7 What monitoring arrangements are to be put in place (or already exist) to monitor the actual impact of this policy/function? What data is to be collected?

Feedback will be received from Friends of Rise Park From the Annual Parks Forum Full monitoring takes place during the annual Quality Value assessment

Relating to the EQUALITIES ACT:

B8 How will this policy/function eliminate unlawful discrimination between different groups within the community? Consider and comment on operational, community impact and institutional perspectives

By encouraging as many people as possible to use the park, it will become safer and encourage positive social interaction and communications. This will be encouraged through the Friends of Rise Park. The council will encourage this group to be as representative of the local community as possible.

B9 How will this policy/function promote equality of opportunity between different groups within the community? Consider and comment on professional, individual, organisational and community perspectives

The policy will discourage anti-social behaviour and ensure that all members of the local community are able to have their say on how Rise Park is managed.

B10 How will this policy/function promote good relations between people from different groups within the community? Consider/comment on individual practice, team operation, organisational functioning perspectives



The policy will promote good relations through the promotion of free association of the varied sections of the community within a safe framework.

B11 How can this policy/function help to promote equality of opportunity between disabled and other people?

By providing facilities that are accessible to as many people with disabilities as possible.

B12 How can this policy/function help to eliminate unlawful discrimination that is unlawful under the DDA?

During the annual Quality and Value assessment a full Equalities assessment of features in the park is carried out and used to inform the improvement plans and action plans with the management plan for the site.

B13 How can this policy/function help to eliminate unlawful harassment of disabled people that is related to their disability?

By providing facilities that enable people with disabilities to use as much of the park as possible. Having more people on the site will assist in a reduction of unlawful harassment due to the self-policing that takes place.

B14 How can this policy/function help to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?

By providing facilities and a framework that encourages people with disabilities undertake a wide range of activities, positive role models are seen to other people with disabilities and other members of the community.

B15 How can this policy/function encourage participation by disabled people in public life?

See answer B14

B16 How can this policy/function take steps to meet disabled people’s needs even if this requires more favourable treatment?

By continuous assessment of needs via the range of public forums. Responding to those needs as a priority.

B17 How can this policy/function help to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment between men and women?

By providing a range of facilities that appeal to women to use, by ensuring the park is as safe as possible and ensuring the park is as well used as possible.

B18 How can this policy/function help to promote equality of opportunity between men and women?



See answer B17

4.5 Byelaws

Pleasure ground bye-laws

1. In these byelaws "the Council" means the Council of the London Borough of Havering and "the pleasure ground" means each of the pleasure grounds named in the First Schedule hereto.

2. An act necessary to the proper execution of his duty by an officer of the Council, or any act which is necessary to the proper execution of any contract with the Council, shall not be an offence under these byelaws.

3. Each of the pleasure grounds mentioned in the Second Schedule to these byelaws except the pleasure ground known as Lawns Park shall be opened at 8.00 a.m., on each day throughout the year and shall be closed a half an hour after sunset on each day throughout the year, except that in the months of June and July they shall be closed at 9.30 p.m. on each day.

The pleasure ground known as Lawns Park shall be opened at 7.30 a.m., on each day throughout the year and shall be closed at 8.00 p.m., or half an hour after sunset, whichever shall be the earlier on each day throughout the year.

Provided always that this byelaw shall not be deemed to require the pleasure ground to be opened and closed at the hours hereinbefore prescribed on any day when, in pursuance of any statutory provision in that behalf, the Council close the pleasure ground to the public.

4. On any day on which the pleasure ground is open to the public a person shall not enter it before the time or enter or remain in it after the time appointed in the foregoing byelaw.

5. A person shall not in the pleasure ground without reasonable excuse:

(i) climb any wall or fence in or enclosing the pleasure ground, or any tree, or any barrier, railing, post, or other erection;

(ii) remove or displace any barrier, railing, post, or seat, or any part of any erection or ornament, or any implement provided for use in the laying out or maintenance of the pleasure ground.

6. A person shall not in the pleasure ground light any fire or place, throw or let fall a lighted match or any other thing so as to be likely to cause a fire.

7. A person shall not, except in pursuance of a lawful agreement with the Council, or otherwise in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege,



bring or cause to be brought into the pleasure ground any cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, or any beast of draught or burden.

8. A person shall not, except along the bridleways in the pleasure ground known as Bedfords Park or in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege, ride a horse in the pleasure ground.

9. (i) A person shall not, except in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege, bring or cause to be brought into the pleasure ground any barrow, truck, machine or vehicle other than:

(a) a wheeled bicycle or other similar machine;

(b) a wheelchair, perambulator or chaise drawn or propelled by hand and used solely for the conveyance of a child or children or an invalid.

Provided that where the Council set apart a space in the pleasure ground for the use of any class of vehicle this byelaw shall not be deemed to prohibit the driving in or to that space by a direct route from the entrance to the pleasure ground of any vehicle of the class for which it is set apart.

(ii) A person shall not except in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege ride any bicycle or other similar machine in any part of the pleasure ground.

10. A person who brings a vehicle into the pleasure ground shall not wheel or station it over or upon:-

(i) any flower bed, shrub or plant, or any ground in course of preparation as a flower bed, or for the growth of any tree, shrub or plant;

(ii) any part of the pleasure ground where the Council by a notice board affixed or set up in some conspicuous position in the pleasure ground prohibits its being wheeled or stationed.

11. A person shall not in the pleasure ground, walk, run, stand, sit or lie upon:-

(i) any grass, turf, or other place where adequate notice to keep off such grass, turf, or other place is exhibited; provided that such notice shall not apply to more than one-fifth of the area of the pleasure ground;

(ii) any flower bed, shrub, or plant or any ground in course of preparation as a flower bed, or for the growth of any tree, shrub, or plant.

12. No person shall in the pleasure ground remove or displace any soil or plant.

13. A person shall not, to the danger or annoyance of any other person in the ground, throw or discharge any missile.

14. A person shall not in the pleasure ground:-

(i) bathe, wade, or wash in any ornamental lake, pond, stream or other water;

(ii) without reasonable excuse foul or pollute any such water;

Provided that the foregoing byelaw shall not be deemed to prohibit wading in a children's paddling pool.



15. No person shall without lawful excuse or authority in the pleasure ground kill, molest or disturb any animal or fish or engage in hunting, shooting or fishing or the setting of traps or nets or the laying of snares;

Provided that this byelaw shall not be deemed to prohibit any fishing which may be authorised by the Council.

16. A person shall not, except in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege, have in his possession while he is on the ground any firearm unless it is so cover with a security fastened gun cover that it cannot be fired.

In this byelaw, firearm means any lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other thing can be discharged.

This byelaw shall apply to all parts of the land except any part thereof which is a public right of way.

17. No person shall by operating or causing or suffering to be operated any wireless set, gramophone, amplifier or similar instrument or any musical instrument make, cause or suffer to be made any noise which is so loud and so continuous or repeated as to give reasonable cause for annoyance to other persons on the land. Provided that this byelaw shall not apply to any person holding or taking part in a band show or any other entertainment held in the ground in pursuance of an agreement with the Council.

18. Where the Council set apart any such part of the pleasure ground as may be fixed by the Council, and described in a notice board affixed or set up in some conspicuous position in the pleasure ground, for the purpose of any game specified in the notice board, which, by reason of the rules or manner of playing, or for the prevention of damage, danger, or time discomfort to any person in the pleasure ground may necessitate at any time during the continuance of the game., the exclusive use by the player or players of any space in such part of the pleasure ground - a person shall not in any space elsewhere in the pleasure ground play or take part in any game so specified in such a manner as to exclude persons not playing or taking part in the game from use of such a space.

19. A person resorting to the pleasure ground and playing or taking part in any game for which the exclusive use of any space in the pleasure ground has been set apart shall:-

(i) not play on the space any game other than the game for which it is set apart;

(ii) in preparing for playing and in playing, use reasonable care to prevent undue interference with the proper use of the pleasure ground by other persons;

(iii) when the space is already occupied by other players not begin to play thereon without their permission;

(iv) where the exclusive use of the space has been granted by the Council for the playing of a match, not play on that space later than a



quarter of an hour before the time fixed for the beginning of the match unless he is taking part therein.

20. A person shall not in the pleasure ground drive chip or pitch a hard golf ball except on land set aside by the Council as a golf course, golf driving range or putting course.

21. A person shall not in any part of the pleasure ground which may have been set apart by the Council for any game play or take part in any game when the state of the ground or other cause makes it unfit for use and a notice is set up in some conspicuous position prohibiting play in that part of the pleasure ground.

22. A person shall not in the pleasure ground:

(i) except as hereinafter provided, erect any post, rail, fence, pole, tent, booth, stand, building, or other structure;

provided that this prohibition shall not apply where upon an application to the Council they grant permission to erect any post, rail, fence, pole, tent, booth, stand, building, or other structure upon such occasion and for such purpose as are specified in the application;

(ii) sell, or offer or expose for sale, or let to hire, or offer to expose for letting to hire, any commodity or article, unless in pursuance of an agreement, with the Council, or otherwise in the exercise of any lawful right or privilege, he is authorised to sell or let to hire in the pleasure ground such commodity or article.

23. (i) No person shall cause any power driven model aircraft to take off or land in the pleasure ground; provided that this byelaw shall not apply to the pleasure ground known as Bedfords Park..

(ii) Where an area within part of the pleasure ground so set apart for the flying of power-driven model aircraft is designated by the Council as an area from which aircraft may be launched and is described in a notice affixed or set up in some conspicuous position on the ground, a person shall not release such an aircraft for flight, or cause such an aircraft to take off, in any part of the ground other than that area.

(iii) No person shall (a) in the ground release any power-driven model aircraft for flight or control the flight of such an aircraft; or (b) cause such an aircraft to take off or land in the ground, unless it is attached to a control line and is kept under effective control.

(iv) In this byelaw the expression "power driven model aircraft" means any model aircraft driven by the combustion of petrol vapour or other combustible substances.

24. A person shall not in the pleasure ground:

(a) intentionally obstruct any officer of the Council in the proper execution of his duties;

(b) intentionally obstruct any person carrying out an act which is necessary to the proper execution of any contract with the Council; or



(c) intentionally obstruct any other person in the proper use of the ground, or behave so as to give reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons in the ground.

25. A person shall not take part in any public show or performance in the pleasure ground provided that this byelaw shall not apply to any person taking part in a band, show or any other function held in the pleasure ground in pursuance of an agreement with the Council.

26. Every person who shall offend against these byelaws shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the Standard Scale.

27. Any person who shall offend against these byelaws may be removed from the ground by any officer of the Council, or any constable.

28. The byelaws relating to pleasure grounds which were made by the Mayor Aldermen and Burgesses of the London Borough of Havering acting by the Council on the seventeenth day of July 1968 and were confirmed by the Minister of Health on the twenty-ninth day of November 1968 are hereby repealed.

29. The byelaw relating to pleasure grounds which was made by the Mayor Aldermen and Burgesses of the London Borough of Havering acting by the Council on the first day of November 1977 and was confirmed by the Secretary and State on the eleventh day of July 1978 is hereby repealed.

30. The byelaws relating to pleasure grounds which were made by the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Havering acting by the Council on the twenty-sixth day of February 1980 and were confirmed by the Secretary of State on the seventeenth day of July 1980 are hereby repealed.

THE FIRST SCHEDULE hereinbefore mentioned

Pleasure Grounds to which byelaws are made under Section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875

Bedale Road Playground, Harold Hill Jutsums Park, Romford

Bedfords Park, Romford King George's Field, Romford

Berwick Pond Open Space, Hornchurch Langtons Gardens, Hornchurch

Brittons Playing Fields, Hornchurch Lawns Park, Romford

Central Park, Harold Hill Lodge Farm Park, Romford

Clockhouse Gardens, Upminster Land, New Road, Rainham

Cottons Park, Romford Noak Hill Sports Ground

Cranham Playing Fields North Hill Recreation Ground, Harold

Dagnam Park, Harold Hill Hill

Fielder's Sports Ground, Hornchurch Oldchurch Park, Romford

Gaynes Parkway, Upminster Parklands, Upminster



Gidea Park Sports Ground Park Lane Recreation Ground,

Glen The, Rainham Hornchurch

Grenfell Park, Hornchurch Paynesbrook (Land), Harold Wood

Hacton Parkway, Upminster Rise Park, Romford

Halesworth Road Playground, Harold Hill Rainham Recreation Ground

Hall Lane Miniature Golf Course, Rise Park, Romford

Upminster Rush Green Play Space, Romford

Harold Wood Park Suttons Parkway, Upminster

Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Spring Farm Park, Rainham

Havering Playing Field St. Andrew's Park, Hornchurch

Haynes Park, Hornchurch St. Neot's Land, Harold Hill

Hornchurch Stadium Upminster Park

Hylands Park, Hornchurch Upminster Hall Playing Fields

Warley Hall Woods, Cranham

Open Spaces to which byelaws are made under Sections 12 and 15 of the Open Spaces Act 1906

Coronation Gardens, Romford Havering Well Gardens, Hornchurch

Elliott Playing Fields, Hornchurch Lucas Playground, Hornchurch

THE SECOND SCHEDULE hereinbefore mentioned

Central Park, Harold Hill

Clockhouse Gardens, Upminster

Collier Row Recreation Ground

Coronation Gardens, Romford

Cottons Park, Romford

Gidea Park Sports Ground

Harold Wood Park

Hylands Park, Hornchurch

Hornchurch Stadium

Jutsums Park, Romford

King George's Field, Romford

Langtons Gardens, Hornchurch

Lawns Park, Romford

Lodge Farm Park, Romford

Noak Hill Sports Ground

North Hill Recreation Ground, Harold Hill

Park Lane Recreation Ground, Hornchurch



Raphael Park, Romford

Rainham Recreation Ground

Rise Park, Romford

Spring Farm Park, Rainham St. Andrew's Park, Hornchurch

4.6 Demographic Information for Rise Park Rise Park is situated in Petits Ward. Population According to the latest 2011 census data there are approximately 41,574 people within the catchment area of Rise Park. Petits Ward, which Rise Park is located within, has 12,907 people.

Population Ward Code Ward Name

All people Rank

00ARGC Brooklands 14626 16

00ARGD Cranham 12732 8

00ARGE Elm Park 12567 4

00ARGF Emerson Park 11643 1

00ARGG Gooshays 14843 17

00ARGH Hacton 12501 2

00ARGJ Harold Wood 12749 9

00ARGK Havering Park 12719 7

00ARGL Heaton 12464 2

00ARGM Hylands 12981 12

00ARGN Mawneys 12718 6

00ARGP Pettits 12907 11

00ARGQ Rainham and Wennington 12659 5

00ARGR Romford Town 15528 18

00ARGT South Hornchurch 13287 14

00ARGU Squirrel's Heath 13139 13

00ARGS St Andrew's 12770 10

00ARGW Upminster 13304 15

Total 236137

Information extracted from Havering Intelligence Hub - Census 2011



Age At the time of writing data on age had not yet been released from the 2011 census. Therefore the information below is ONS population estimates for 2011, based on projections from 2001 census data. The population immediately surrounding Rise Park, i.e. in Petits Ward, has an above average number of 0-15s for Havering, and the highest percentage of 25-44s.

Total projected population by broad age band

Ward Names

All people People aged 0-

15 (census) People aged

16-24 (census) People aged



65-84 (census)

People aged 85+

(census)

No No % No % No % No % No % No %

Codes 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011

00ARGC Brooklands 14957 7328 49.01 1967 13.16 4621 30.89 3388 22.64 1691 11.3 327 2.19

00ARGD Cranham 12528 4578 36.55 1497 11.95 2683 21.42 3407 27.19 2550 20.36 397 3.17

00ARGE Elm Park 12466 5105 40.95 1621 13.01 2978 23.88 3372 27.06 2110 16.93 304 2.44

00ARGF Emerson Park 11977 4467 37.31 1559 13.02 2526 21.1 3546 29.61 2275 18.98 276 2.31

00ARGG Gooshays 14692 7321 49.84 2177 14.82 4058 27.62 3379 23 1466 9.98 436 2.97

00ARGH Hacton 12262 4683 38.19 1573 12.83 2823 23.02 3593 29.31 2102 17.14 312 2.54

00ARGJ Harold Wood 12650 5299 41.9 1555 12.3 3497 27.64 3348 26.47 1860 14.71 343 2.71

00ARGK Havering Park 13000 5884 45.27 1685 12.96 3366 25.89 3316 25.51 1833 14.1 238 1.83

00ARGL Heaton 12570 5697 45.32 1477 11.75 3438 27.35 2956 23.52 1739 13.84 378 3.01

00ARGM Hylands 12952 5286 40.82 1897 14.65 2977 22.99 3900 30.11 1858 14.35 239 1.85

00ARGN Mawneys 12915 5539 42.89 1554 12.03 3349 25.94 3330 25.79 2023 15.66 318 2.46

00ARGP Pettits 12955 4837 37.35 1566 12.09 2826 21.82 3800 29.34 2316 17.88 384 2.97

00ARGQ Rainham and Wennington 12482 5364 42.96 1762 14.11 3016 24.15 3324 26.63 1986 15.91 202 1.62

00ARGR Romford Town 15921 7759 48.73 1919 12.05 5571 35 3519 22.11 1844 11.57 388 2.44

00ARGS St Andrew's 13334 5169 38.77 1677 12.58 3170 23.77 3689 27.67 2306 17.3 480 3.6

00ARGT South Hornchurch 13544 6056 44.72 1774 13.1 3423 25.28 3438 25.39 2018 14.9 237 1.75

00ARGU Squirrel's Heath 13194 5806 44.02 1623 12.31 3863 29.28 3363 25.49 1851 14.03 300 2.28

00ARGW Upminster 12833 4558 35.52 1451 11.31 2766 21.55 3746 29.19 2393 18.65 497 3.87

#00AR Havering 237232 100736 42.47 30334 12.78 60951 25.7 62414 26.3 36221 15.28 6056 2.55

Information extracted from Havering Intelligence Hub - Projection for 2011



Unemployment There is a lower than average percentage of jobseekers in Petits Ward.

Unemployment

Ward Code

Ward Name Total

Population Job

Seeker

% of working

age population

00ARGC Brooklands 14626 370 3.78

00ARGD Cranham 12732 145 1.95

00ARGE Elm Park 12567 255 3.27

00ARGF Emerson Park 11643 145 1.94

00ARGG Gooshays 14843 550 5.86

00ARGH Hacton 12501 170 2.17

00ARGJ Harold Wood 12749 265 3.22

00ARGK Havering Park 12719 350 4.27

00ARGL Heaton 12464 425 5.52

00ARGM Hylands 12981 185 2.16

00ARGN Mawneys 12718 260 3.22

00ARGP Pettits 12907 160 1.99

00ARGQ Rainham and Wennington 12659 290 3.66

00ARGR Romford Town 15528 445 4.1

00ARGT South Hornchurch 13287 385 4.56

00ARGU Squirrel's Heath 13139 195 2.24

00ARGS St Andrew's 12770 245 2.93

00ARGW Upminster 13304 120 1.54

Total 236137 4960 2.1

Information extracted from Havering Intelligence Hub – Projection for 2011



Disability Across the different sources of data below, Pettits Ward is slightly lower than average, in terms of the percentage of permanently sick or disabled people and people claiming IB, AA and DLA.

Disability

Ward

Incapacity Benefit

claimants (% of

working age

population)

People permanently

sick or disabled (% of all aged

16-74)

Attendance Allowance claimants

(% of pensionable

age population)

Disability Living

Allowance claimants

(% of whole

population)

Disability Living

Allowance claimants

aged Under 16 (% of Disability

Living Allowance claimants)

count % count % count % count % count rate

00ARGC Brooklands 295 3.02 425 4.51 400 19.82 625 4.18 85 13.60

00ARGD Cranham 130 1.75 235 2.63 440 14.93 340 2.71 45 13.24

00ARGE Elm Park 210 2.69 358 4.09 460 19.06 555 4.45 85 15.32

00ARGF Emerson Park 155 2.08 227 2.66 345 13.52 365 3.05 45 12.33

00ARGG Gooshays 610 6.50 657 7.26 470 24.71 920 6.26 115 12.50

00ARGH Hacton 160 2.05 299 3.35 390 16.16 400 3.26 50 12.50

00ARGJ Harold Wood 305 3.70 383 4.37 365 16.57 620 4.90 85 13.71

00ARGK Havering Park 325 3.97 485 5.45 355 17.14 600 4.62 90 15.00

00ARGL Heaton 485 6.30 645 7.85 475 22.44 885 7.04 100 11.30

00ARGM Hylands 195 2.27 279 3.12 345 16.45 470 3.63 75 15.96

00ARGN Mawneys 245 3.04 389 4.36 395 16.87 555 4.30 65 11.71

00ARGP Pettits 175 2.18 299 3.23 405 15.00 415 3.20 50 12.05

00ARGQ Rainham and Wennington 245 3.09 368 4.15 360 16.45 525 4.21 50 9.52

00ARGR Romford Town 340 3.13 369 3.76 400 17.92 610 3.83 80 13.12

00ARGS St Andrew's 215 2.57 325 3.57 570 20.46 500 3.75 55 11.00

00ARGT South Hornchurch 315 3.73 458 4.98 380 16.85 620 4.58 75 12.10

00ARGU Squirrel's Heath 190 2.19 254 2.95 345 16.04 385 2.92 55 14.29

00ARGW Upminster 110 1.41 192 2.11 465 16.09 255 1.99 25 9.80

Information extracted from Havering Intelligence Hub – Projection for 2011



Households Pettits Ward is both above average for families with no dependent children and all three wards fall below average for families with three or more children.

Family Composition

Ward

All Families in Households

No Dependent Children in Family - 0-18yrs

One Dependent Child in Family 0-18yrs

Two Dependent Children in Family - 0-

18yrs

Three or more Dependent Children in

Family - 0-18yrs

Total Dependent Children

No No % No % No % No %

Brooklands 4138 2064 49.87 990 23.91 777 18.76 307 6.82 3588

Cranham 3736 2245 60.09 661 17.68 633 16.93 197 4.9 2566

Elm Park 3627 2137 58.91 696 19.17 556 15.31 238 6.1 2624

Emerson Park 3562 2272 63.78 548 15.37 513 14.38 229 5.96 2339

Gooshays 3943 1844 46.76 930 23.57 751 19.03 418 10.06 3898

Hacton 3661 2264 61.84 619 16.89 579 15.8 199 5.03 2435

Harold Wood 3641 2177 59.79 677 18.57 568 15.58 219 5.53 2573

Havering Park 3770 2043 54.19 754 19.99 659 17.47 314 7.79 3153

Heaton 3431 1769 51.55 736 21.44 582 16.95 344 9.81 3114

Hylands 3775 2203 58.35 670 17.73 681 18.02 221 5.39 2775

Mawneys 3799 2153 56.67 753 19.81 651 17.12 242 5.95 2861

Pettits 3911 2445 62.51 615 15.7 631 16.12 220 5.22 2614

Rainham and Wennington 3648 2071 56.77 698 19.11 633 17.34 246 6.21 2783

Romford Town 4394 2483 56.5 995 22.62 678 15.41 238 4.97 3149

South Hornchurch 3857 2096 54.34 750 19.44 672 17.41 339 8.26 3282

Squirrel's Heath 3846 2233 58.06 765 19.88 648 16.84 200 4.81 2711

St Andrew's 3816 2281 59.77 745 19.51 581 15.21 209 5.06 2607

Upminster 3760 2308 61.38 589 15.66 672 17.86 191 4.56 2566

LB Havering 68315 39088 57.21 13191 19.29 11465 16.76 4571 6.23 51638

Information extracted from information provided from Office of National Statistics - Census 2011



Pettits Ward falls below the borough average for households composed of a single adult aged 65 or over.

Single Adult Households

Ward

All Residents in Households

One Person Household; One Person Aged 65 and

Over

Other Households; No Adults or

One Adult and One or

More Children

No No % No %

Brooklands 14771 682 4.61 1219 8.25

Cranham 12506 946 7.56 461 3.68

Elm Park 12466 855 6.85 713 5.71

Emerson Park 11903 626 5.25 282 2.36

Gooshays 14550 768 5.27 1443 9.91

Hacton 12262 715 5.83 481 3.92

Harold Wood 12583 721 5.72 623 4.95

Havering Park 12901 623 4.82 1048 8.12

Heaton 12449 822 6.6 1161 9.32

Hylands 12922 623 4.82 430 3.32

Mawneys 12832 732 5.7 803 6.25

Pettits 12890 733 5.68 391 3.03

Rainham and Wennington 12457 663 5.32 878 7.04

Romford Town 15744 824 5.23 1007 6.39

South Hornchurch 13492 707 5.24 1123 8.32

Squirrel's Heath 13140 681 5.18 656 4.99

St Andrew's 13193 1019 7.72 592 4.48

Upminster 12610 759 6.01 315 2.49

LB. Havering 235671 13499 6.72 13626 5.78

Information extracted from Office of National Statistics - Census 2011



Health Petits Ward is above average percentages of residents who report very good health and a below average percentage for those reporting very bad health.

Health

Ward

All Residents

Very Good Health Good Health Fair Health Bad Health Very Bad Health

No % No % No % No % No %

Brooklands 14957 7107 47.51 5290 35.36 1814 12.12 544 3.36 202 1.35

Cranham 12528 5955 47.53 4337 34.61 1626 12.97 480 3.83 130 1.03

Elm Park 12466 5435 43.59 4542 36.43 1772 14.21 576 4.62 141 1.13

Emerson Park 11977 5776 48.22 4279 35.72 1406 11.73 404 3.37 112 0.93

Gooshays 14692 6222 42.34 5194 35.35 2232 15.19 809 5.5 235 1.59

Hacton 12262 5559 45.33 4572 37.28 1604 13.08 393 3.2 134 1.09

Harold Wood 12650 5753 45.47 4508 35.63 1681 13.28 553 4.37 155 1.22

Havering Park 13000 5768 44.36 4661 35.85 1826 14.04 588 4.52 157 1.2

Heaton 12570 5218 41.51 4404 35.03 2029 16.14 675 5.36 244 1.94

Hylands 12952 6237 48.15 4573 35.3 1600 12.35 427 3.29 115 0.88

Mawneys 12915 5779 44.74 4646 35.97 1817 14.06 525 4.06 148 1.14

Pettits 12955 6178 47.68 4556 35.16 1651 12.74 439 3.38 131 1.01

Rainham and Wennington 12482 5601 44.87 4549 36.44 1684 13.49 499 3.99 149 1.19

Romford Town 15921 7610 47.79 5585 35.07 1950 12.24 604 3.79 172 1.08

South Hornchurch 13544 6107 45.09 4824 35.61 1852 13.67 593 4.37 168 1.24

Squirrel's Heath 13194 6566 49.76 4636 35.13 1464 11.09 422 3.19 106 0.8

St Andrew's 13334 5968 44.75 4831 36.23 1856 13.91 547 4.1 132 0.98

Upminster 12833 6292 49.02 4391 34.21 1628 12.68 386 3 136 1.05

LB Havering 237232 109131 46 84378 35.56 31492 13.27 9464 3.98 2767 1.16




Ethnicity Petits Ward has an average percentage for White British residents for the borough.

Ethnicity

Ward All Residents

White; English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern

Irish/British All Other

No % No %

Brooklands 14957 10646 71.2 4311 28.8

Cranham 12528 11439 91.3 1089 8.7

Elm Park 12466 10225 82 2241 18

Emerson Park 11977 9509 79.4 2468 20.6

Gooshays 14692 12151 82.7 2541 17.3

Hacton 12262 10958 89.4 1304 10.5

Harold Wood 12650 10865 85.9 1785 14.1

Havering Park 13000 10940 84.2 2060 15.9

Heaton 12570 9904 78.8 2666 21

Hylands 12952 11216 86.6 1736 13.2

Mawneys 12915 10879 84.2 2036 15.8

Pettits 12955 11333 87.5 1622 12.5

Rainham and Wennington 12482 10046 80.5 2436 19.5

Romford Town 15921 12071 75.8 3850 24.1

South Hornchurch 13544 10747 79.3 2797 20.7

Squirrel's Heath 13194 11111 84.2 2083 15.9

St Andrew's 13334 11819 88.6 1515 11.3

Upminster 12833 11756 91.6 1077 8.2

LB.Havering 237232 197615 83.3 39617 16.69




4.7 Financial Information

Item 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22

Parks Protection

2,797.00 2,838.95 2,881.54 2,924.76 2,983.26 3,042.92

Tree Maintenance

431.27 437.74 444.31 450.97 459.99 469.19

Conservation Works

257.56 261.42 265.34 269.32 274.71 280.2

Events 500 500 510 510 520 520

Grounds Maintenance

24,333.00 24,819.66 25,316.05 25,822.37 26,338.82 26,865.60

Parks Support Service

3,713.62 3,769.33 3,825.87 3,883.25 3,960.92 4,040.13

Parks Maintenance Utilities

3,765.86 360.58

3,822.35 365.99

3,879.69 371.48

3,937.88 377.05

4,016.64 384.59

4,096.97 392.28

Fencing 5,000.00 0 0 0 5,000.00 0

Total 41,158.89 36,815.44 37,494.28 38,175.60 43,938.93 39,707.29

Fig 41 the projected maintenance budgets for Rise Park from 2016/17 – 2021/22



Parks

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVIS

4.8 Havering’s Environmental Policy

Havering Environmental Policy The London Borough of Havering recognises the need to conserve the limited resources available and to encourage the local but diverse community groups to respect their local ecology, flora and fauna with a view to safe guarding it for future generations to enjoy. This will be achieved through top management commitment in continual improvement of environmental performance and practice and the prevention of pollution. Environmental laws, regulations and codes of practice will be regarded as setting the minimum standards of environmental performance. The Parks Service will follow the aspirations of the Councils’ LA 21 Action Plan, Waste Strategy and Green Procurement Policy. The Parks Service has a responsibility to the environment and will: 1. implement environmental policies through a coordinated environmental

management system; 2. participate in sustainable environmental practices and reduce the amount of non-

sustainable practices where feasible; 3. aim to reduce and eliminate the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides and

herbicides and encourage responsible and informed use; 4. aim to reduce and eliminate the use of peat and challenge suppliers to do the

same; 5. continue to eliminate use of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and peat in our

green-flag parks; 6. aim to recycle all green waste produced in the maintenance of parks and open

spaces, and aim to utilise the resulting compost within the Parks Service; 7. aim to reduce excessive water use in horticulture through the practice of

mulching; 8. protect and enhance the open spaces, waters, trees and hedges under its

control; 9. undertake and promote the conservation of local flora and fauna in parks and

open spaces; 10. promote sustainable use of allotments and ecologically safe horticulture; 11. encourage a caring attitude to the local environment from individual residents,

groups and organisations and encourage the expansion of environmental education;

12. encourage the local community groups, industry and commerce to contribute towards improving and safeguarding the ecology in Havering;

13. improve energy and water conservation in Council buildings; 14. promote and encourage the development and implementation of renewable

energy sources;



15. seek to lessen the impact on the environment by using ecologically safe materials and bio-degradable products where possible;

16. seek to address our impact on the environment through the adoption of a sustainable procurement policy;

17. aim to protect the public from the dangers incurred through the use, transport and storage of dangerous and toxic substances, e.g. asbestos, chemicals, paints and oil;

18. encourage the use of public transport and provide improved facilities for disabled people, pedestrians and cyclists;

19. act and educate against the anti-social behaviour such as loud noise, graffiti, dog fouling, fly tipping, general littering and abandoned vehicles;

20. discourage unnecessary waste and encourage the recycling of materials and use recycled materials wherever practicable;

21. aim to reduce fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions; 22. measure environmental performance against agreed standards; 23. implement our policies through guidelines and training; 24. conduct an annual quality and value assessment of our parks and open spaces to

monitor the implementation of these principles and in complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

4.9 Climate Change Information The London Borough of Havering produced a strategy for Climate Change in 2007.



The contents page from the Climate Change Strategy. Issues for Parks and Open Spaces are listed under Public Realm, Culture and Leisure Services.



4.10 Composting Information

Havering’s Compost

Processing Fact Sheet

Overview of Composting Process

Green waste (garden

trimming, grass cuttings etc),

predominately from Civic

Amenity sites and Havering’s

parks and open spaces

accepted into the site

Material is shredded to a 6”

diameter, using a specially

designed shredding machine

Material is placed into

windrow

Windrows are turned and

irrigated to promote the

optimum conditions for

composting

After 16 – 20 weeks the

material is screened to form a

10mm soil improver

The soil improver is taken off

site to be bagged prior to

retail sale

Lindsey Sutcliffe

Composting Manager

April 2004



4.11 Environmental Education

Wacky About Wildlife!





What it is.

Wacky about Wildlife is an Environmental Education programme delivered annually on Havering’s parks and open spaces. The project is a partnership that is delivered jointly by the Parks and Open Spaces Section, Strategic Environment Section and the Education Department. All parks that are entered for Green Flag will have at least one session annually that is managed by the partnership and further session delivered by the school. The officer facilitating the session will undertake training of the local teachers in order that the local park can be used in a range of activities directly linked to the National Curriculum. The kit used contains a range of material that is given to the school and can be photocopied and used over again. Sessions last between 2 – 3 hours. The dates for the annual programme are agreed at a meeting in March with the Education Department.

Contents of the Kit Teachers Notes booklet Who Am I? game cards Who Am I? Can I Live Here? Habitat survey Food chain A Year in the Life Of... Curriculum Unit Support Sheets Map of Havering showing schools and their nearest parks or green open spaces Maps and ariel views of parks local to where the event is being held. History Time Line A3 Photocopy master Showing the development of parks since middle ages, and up to date, with space for children to add family details. A year in the life of... .. A3 photocopymaster



A work sheet timeline that can be used to record a year in the life of a local park or open space. Species Models Bat, Dragonfly, Hedgehog, Stag Beetle, House Sparrow Can I live here? Worksheet and Food Chain work sheet A4 Photocopy Masters Eye Spy Sheets and Picture Matching game A3 photocopy master - Street Environment A3 photocopy master - Park environment Habitat survey sheet A4 or A3 photocopy master Diamond Poem Word search A4 photocopy masters Identification Guides and resource books for research FSC Guide to the ‘Top 50’ Garden Birds FSC Guide to British Land Mammals FSC Guide to British Bats FSC Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain FSC Woodland Name Trail Beetles and bugs Nature Fact File Night Animals - Natural History Museum/Oxford publication Urban Wildlife - Usborne Spotters Guide Guide to Havering Parks and Open Spaces Nature Conservation in Havering English Nature Leaflets -species series



4.12 Parks and Open Spaces Structure

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

STRUCTURE DIAGRAM

(Last reviewed January 2016)

Fig 46 The Parks Structure Chart for 2016

Martin Stanton Parks and Open Spaces

Manager

Martin Haskell Grounds

Maintenance Manager

James Rose Parks Development

Manager

Nigel Oxley Historic Buildings and

Landscape Coordinator

Country Park Ranger

Havering Country Park

Richard Cottam Parks Development

Officer – South

Grounds Maintenance

DSO

Parks Protection Officers x 4

Peter Stewart Raphael Park

Manager

Reg Bland Parks Maintenance

Supervisor

James Keeble Assistant Parks

Maintenance Supervisor

Tom Fradd Parks Development

Officer - North

Steve Rawlins Parks Protection

Officer

Country Park Ranger

Hornchurch

Country Park

Park Ranger Harrow Lodge

Park

Parks Apprentice

Parks Apprentice

Parks Apprentice



4.13 Tree List

English name: Latin name:

Ash Fraxinus excelsior

Birch Betula utilis var jacquemontii

Blue Cedar Cedrus altlantica glauca

Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus lebanii

Cherry Acer species

Crab Apple Malus species

Elderberry Sambucus nigra

Evergreen Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora

Fastigiate Hornbeam Carpinus betulus fastigiata

Foxglove Tree Paulownia tomentosa

Golden Rain Tree Koelruteria paniculata

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna

Holly Ilex aquifolium

Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum

Lawson Cypress Chamaecyparis laswoniana

Leyland Cypress Cupressus x leylandii

London Plane Platanus x hispanica

Maple Acer species

Monterrey Cypress Cuppressus macrocarpa

Northern Chinese Red Birch

Betula albosinensis ‘Septentrionalis’

Oak Quercus robur

Poplar Lombardy Populus fastigiata

Purple Cherry Plum Prunus pissardii nigra

Rowan Sorbus aucuparia

Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris

Silver Birch Betula pendula

Sugar Maple Acer saccharinum

Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa

Sycamore Acer psuedoplatanus

Thornless Hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli

Weeping Willow Salix x sepulcris

Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata

White Willow Salix alba

Whitebeam Sorbus aria

Yew Taxus baccata



4.14 Bird Data The following list of birds can be regularly seen at Rise Park.

English Name Latin name

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Great Tit Parus major

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

Robin Erithacus rubecula

Magpie Pica pica

Greater Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaoto

Crow Corvus corone

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Blackbird Turdus merula

Goldcrest Regulus regulus



4.15 Maintenance Schedules

Item name Period

1 Period

2 Period

3 Period

4 Period

5 Period

6 Period

7 Period

8 Period

9 Period

10 Period

11 Period

12 Period

13 Total

Grass Edging LH shears 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 9

Annual Edge with Half Moon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Box Off Mowing 0 0 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 0 33

Remove Leaves 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2

Annual Meadow Cut and Clear 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Wild Flower area prep and sow 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Wild Flower area cut and clear 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

Weed Hardstanding (Manual) 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3

Clean Park Bench 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 12

Shrub Bed Fertilising 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Shrub Bed Spot Weeding 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 9

Shrub Bed Cultivate 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Hedge Cutting 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

Remove Leaves 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3

Display Public Information 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 12

Graffiti Removal Litter Bin 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 53

Pick Litter 12 12 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 12 12 300

Open Site 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 364

Close Site 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 364

Check Site 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 364

Annual Independent Playground Inspection 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1



4.16 Water Usage Policy 4.16.1 Background

The London Borough of Havering manages 110 parks and open spaces, 2 country parks and twenty five allotment sites. Grounds maintenance of the parks and open spaces are managed by a Direct Services Organisation working to a grounds maintenance specification. As part of the method of maintaining the parks and open spaces the specification requires the most efficient, environmentally friendly and restrictive use of water. The key priorities of this policy are to: -

Reduce the amount of water used in Havering’s Parks and Open Spaces

Define methods of plant husbandry that permit the reduction of watering regimes.

Put in place a realistic reduction plan with SMART targets and objectives.

Include water methods and water conservation as a criteria on annual QVA inspections

Include watering reduction and methodology on all site management plans

Improve local biodiversity by having a drought toleration planting schemes where applicable.

To ensure that when watering is required that the most environmentally friendly form of irrigation is utilised.

To local at water management on a strategic level

4.16.2 Types of irrigation

Overhead This is any form of sprinkler system or the gardener with a watering can or hose. It is not the most effective form of watering as on hot days a lot of the fine spray from sprinklers will evaporate as will surface water. There is also the health and safety issue of hose pipes across sites being a potential trip hazard to park users and water point need to be fenced in so that people cannot injure themselves. Flood Flood watering is a variant of overhead watering but the hose is laid flat on the surface and the water floods across a give area. There is not as much disturbance to the park users, there will be less water lost through evaporation, but the soil can become totally waterlogged in



areas, so the hose needs to be moved through the area on a frequent basis. Surface seep hose (trickle irrigation) Surface trickle irrigation enables small amounts of water to be delivered directly to the plant via a leaky pipe. The method is more efficient than overhead irrigation as less water is lost by wind action. The water is still delivered to the surface level and therefore there is evaporation loss. The system can be fully automated to ensure plants receive a good supply of water in constant small amounts. Under-soil trickle irrigation Under-soil trickle irrigation enables small amounts of water to be delivered directly to the plant through a leaky pipe that is buried between the plants. The method is more efficient than Surface seep hose (trickle irrigation) as less water is delivered below the surface level and therefore there is very little evaporation loss. The system can be fully automated to ensure plants receive a good supply of water in constant small amounts. It can be difficult to maintain and ensure that is working correctly as everything is below ground. Standard Operating Procedures

Watering is currently carried out to

1. Annual bedding schemes 2. Herbaceous borders 3. Newly planted shrubs (1st year) 4. Newly planted trees (1st year) 5. Newly turfed or seeded grass areas

Watering is not carried out to

1. Established grass areas 2. Established trees 3. Established shrubs

4.16.3 Water retaining methods

Mulching The amount of residual herbicides used can be greatly reduced by using mulch across the top of the shrub/rose beds. There is a range of products that can be used for mulching bark spent mushroom compost well rotted FYM organic compost leaf litter mypex



plastic sheeting gravel Each one of these products has different qualities and need to be applied at sufficient depth to work correctly. Organic mulches require regular topping up but have the advantage of improving the soil and adding nutrients. All mulches should be applied to a weed free surface. A well applied mulch will not only look attractive it will also ensure a virtually weed free surface. Mulches should be applied in October while the heat is still in the ground. The mulch then as an insulating layer, trapping the heat in and protecting the plants. If applied in March the reverse happens and the soil takes longer to warm up.

Mulches reduce the amount of water lost from the soil by insulating it from wind and sun. Hoeing Hoeing on a regular basis has a residual control as it creates a “dust mulch” on the surface of the beds by breaking the water capillaries just under the surface. This prevents water from being draw away from the surface of the soil in the form of a “wick” action. The dust mulch will be broken during irrigation or rainfall, therefore an area will need to be hoed across soon after a rainstorm to prevent loss of water by evaporation. Planting Densities

When designing and planting new shrub borders the usual method of design is to aim for a closed canopy within three years. (A closed canopy is where the plants that were planted a set distance apart have eventually grown to the point where they meet and appear as one large group). In the period before the closure of the canopy water can be easily lost through evaporation from the soil in the gaps between the newly planted shrubs. The planting distance between the shrubs determines how quickly the canopy closes. By reducing the gap the canopy can be closed within 18 months or even within the next growing season to when the shrubs were planted. Windbreaks Anything that reduces the water loss by transpiration from a plant will mean the plant requires less water to survive. To assist planting establish the use of materials to reduce transpiration through



wind action should used these can either be natural windbreaks or artificial. Windbreaks should have a 50% permeability as this is the most effective form of wind speed reduction. Any less permeability creates turbulence and increases transpiration. Species selection Planting should be chosen to establish quickly in conditions that require the minimum amount of watering. Size of planting container/planting density The size of the planting containers and the density that planting is carried out reflects the speed at which the planting will achieve a closed canopy. This means that no soil is visible and the shaded areas will retain moisture more easily. Planting should be designed to have a closed canopy with 18 months of planting. Hose Pipe Ban During periods of hose pipe bans Havering’s parks will not use any mains water for irrigation purposes. Alternative sources of water must be used. These being:- 1. Rivers 2. Lakes 3. Brooks 4. Steams 5. Ponds



4.17 Peat Usage Policy

4.17.1 Background

The London Borough of Havering manages 110 parks and open spaces, 2 country parks and twenty five allotment sites. Grounds maintenance of the parks and open spaces are managed by a Direct Services Organisation working to a grounds maintenance specification. As part of the method of maintaining the parks and open spaces the specification requires the most efficient, environmentally friendly and restrictive use of peat.

The key priorities of this policy are to: - 1. To minimise the amount of peat used in Havering’s Parks and Open

Spaces 2. Define methods of plant husbandry that permit the minimum use of

peat based products. 3. Include peat reduction as criteria on annual QVA inspections 4. Include peat minimalisation and methodology on all site management

plans 5. To continue to research for viable alternatives to peat based products.

4.17.2 Traditional uses for horticultural peat Peat has been used for the following horticultural functions 1. Acidification of soil 2. Main additive in potting compost 3. As a mulch 4. As organic matter to improve heavy clay soils 5. To retain water in the soil 6. As a cutting mix with sand

4.17.3 Methods used to minimise the use of peat

1. We will not use peat to change the pH of the soil. 2. We will not use species that require soil pH to be altered. 3. We will not use peat as a mulch. 4. We will not use peat as organic matter to improve soils 5. We will make every effort to ensure that the compost used for

bedding plants is from a peat free source, providing it gives uniformity of growth

6. We will reduce the amount of bedding plants used. 7. Trees and shrubs will be supplied in a loam based compost



4.18 Amendment to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations

An amendment to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 came into force today 21st August 2007, which has a range of consequences for the protection of European protected species and licensing under this legislation.

4.18.1 European Protected Animals

Bats, Horseshoe (all species) also see separate bats page

Bats, Typical (all species)

Common Otter

Dolphins, porpoises and whales (all species)

Dormouse (but not edible or fat dormouse)

Great crested newt (or warty)

Large Blue Butterfly

Marine Turtles

Natterjack Toad

Sand Lizard

Smooth Snake

Sturgeon

Wild cat

4.18.2 European Protected Plants

Creeping Marshwort

Early Gentian

Fen Orchid

Floating leaved water Plantain

Killarney Fern

Lady's Slipper

Shore Dock

Slender Naiad

Yellow Marsh Saxifrage

4.18.3 Legal status

The species listed below are protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 which implements the EC Directive 92/43/EEC in the United Kingdom and it is an offence, with certain exceptions, to:

1. deliberately capture or kill any wild animal of a European protected species;

2. deliberately disturb any such animal;

3. deliberately take or destroy eggs of any such wild animal;



4. damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such a wild animal;

5. deliberately pick, collect, cut, uproot or destroy a wild plant of a European protected species;

6. keep, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange, any live or dead wild animal or plant of a European protected species, or any part of, or anything derived from such a wild animal or plant.

Any activity that would result in a contravention of the above legislation would require a licence to avoid committing an offence. Natural England has powers to grant a licence for the following purposes;

Regulation 44(2)(e) - preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment; or

Regulation 44(2)(f) - preventing the spread of disease; or

Regulation 44(2)(g) - preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries. In addition, Natural England can only issue a licence if it is satisfied that the activity meets one of the above purposes and is also satisfied of the following;

Regulation 44(3)(a) - that there is no satisfactory alternative, and

Regulation 44(3)(b) - that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.

When is a licence needed?

You are advised to seek the guidance of a consultant ecologist for licences with regard to overriding public interest (e.g. development). However, we offer the following advice as a guide. Natural England's view is that:

A licence is needed if the consultant ecologist, on the basis of survey information and specialist knowledge of the species concerned, considers that on balance the proposed activity is reasonably likely to result in an offence under regulation 39; or

If the consultant ecologist, on the basis of survey information and specialist knowledge of the species concerned, considers that on balance the proposed activity is reasonably unlikely to result in an offence under regulation 39 then no licence is required. However, in these circumstances Natural England would urge that reasonable precautions be taken to minimise the effect on European protected species should they be found during the course of the activity. If they are found then work should cease and an application be made to Wildlife Licensing Unit.



4.18.4 How to apply for a licence

Who applies for an overriding public interest licence?

The application should be made by the developer and consultant ecologist. The applicant will need to be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of Natural England that they have the relevant skills and knowledge of the species concerned.

Site Visits & Compliance Checks

Natural England will monitor compliance with licences issued. Therefore, licensees should be aware that they may receive a request for a site visit by one of the Wildlife Advisers to assess site conditions against the details given in the Method Statement attached to the licence. It is therefore essential that Method Statements are updated to reflect any changes.

It is possible that Natural England may undertake a site visit prior to the issue of a licence to confirm that the details of the site are accurately stated in the application. The majority of site visits will be arranged several days in advance and will be conducted in the presence of the licensee (or applicant) however there may be occasions when a site visit will be made at short notice.

4.18.5 Advice on European Protected Species

If you require further information please read the advisory leaflets or contact: Wildlife Licensing Unit, EPS Licensing Team.

Page last modified: 08 October 2007 Page published: 5 September 2003

4.19 Official Friends Scheme

The Official Friends programme was devised between Havering parks and Open Spaces and the Friends of Havering’s parks during 2008. The criteria for becoming an Official Friends group were agreed in principal and groups were given the option of joining the scheme and meeting the criteria.

The objectives of the scheme are:

To link the functions of the Friends with the park management park

To given direction and targets for the Friends groups

To provide financial assistance and support for the Friends

To ensure the groups work in a demographic and inclusive way

To create a working partnership between the Council and the Friends group to benefit the park

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/wildlife-management-licensing/habsregs.htm#advice



The scheme was launch in January 2009 with 12 of the 19 Friends groups applying for Official Friends status.

Five of the groups were awarded Official Friends status at the Parks Forum 2009 with a further two groups awarded at a second opportunity to apply in October 2009 once they had corrected the issues that needed to be resolved.

The Friends of Lodge Farm Park and Rise Park were one of the first five friends groups who were awarded Official Friends status in 2009. They were re-awarded Official Friends Status in 2010 and 2011.

Below is a copy of the Official Friends agreement between The Friends of Lodge Farm Park and Rise Park and Havering Council.

DATED 25 April 2xxx

THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING

and

THE FRIENDS OF RISE PARK



__________________________________________

OFFICIAL FRIENDS STATUS AGREEMENT 2xxx __________________________________________



T H I S AGREEMENT is made on the 25th April 2xxx

BETWEEN the Council and the Friends Group

PARTICULARS

(1) "the Council" means THE PARKS AND OPEN

SPACES

SERVICE OF THE LONDON

BOROUGH OF

HAVERING of

The Stableblock, Langton's House Billet Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1XJ

(2) "the Friends Group” means The Friends of Rise Park And Lodge Farm

Park

(3) "the Park" means Rise Park and Lodge Farm Park

2 THE COUNCIL UNDERTAKINGS Annually agree at least one project to be delivered by the Friends and provide financial assistance of £1,000 to the Friends to deliver these projects Draft Management Plans for each site and review them at least every two years (annually for Green Flag) Work towards application and retention of a Green Flag for the site Annually award each of those achieving the Official status with a certificate Attend all Friends meetings (Monday –Thursday, providing at least two weeks notice has been given) Provide an assistance package to the Friends of RISE PARK in that :

Office Services Photocopying



Printing Postage Publicity Local Press Official Friends website page on Havering website and link to Friends of RISE PARK AND LODGE FARM PARK website Use of parks notice boards in other parks to publicise events Training Record of species - GIGL Horticultural Landscape Designing of park features Tools - to the value of £100 Events Free use of the parks for any event that promotes the site and/or the group with community benefits. Insurance for groups events and activities on the site Funding Opportunity to bid for £5,000 capital funding to match the groups projects

Communications

Consult with Friends on major decisions Consult with Friends on events Provide information on scheduled maintenance when new system is in operation

THE FRIENDS GROUP UNDERTAKINGS

The Friends Group agrees and undertakes:-

(1) Annually deliver at least one project mutually agreed with Havering

In 2009 the project delivery shall be as set out on Appendix 1 of this document

(2) Hold an AGM and elect officials into post

(3) Have a constitution



(4) Hold regular minuted meetings

(5) Only undertake works that are in line with the programme detailed in the Parks Management Plan

(6) Hold events that promote the park

(7) Produce literature or undertake research that benefits the park

(8) Undertake fundraising to support the Friends activities and the park

(9) Attend the Parks Open Forum

(10) Ensure any funds raised for the park are used in accordance with requirements of the Management Plan

(11) Shall assist the Officers of the Council in managing and improving the park

(12) Evidence regular consultation to ensure the views of the Friends are representative of the local community In addition to these points the Friends of Harold Wood Park have agreed to undertake the following Funding

Assist in funding applications – Parks and Community Regeneration

Publicity

Local Press – provide information Provide information for the Official Friends website page on Havering website Works on site Litter collections Visual checking of play areas Horticultural – Pruning, weeding, planting, watering Recording of species – GIGL Painting out graffiti Walks and Talks

Guided walks on local ecology Walks for fitness Talks at the Parks Forum Landscape Designing of park features



Research Historical research Ecological research Assist with LBH consultations Provide photographs Green Flag Assist with compilation of information on park Assist on judging day with Green Flag judges

PROVISOS

This Agreement shall continue until determined as hereinafter provided:-

(1) This Agreement shall terminate

(a) immediately on the Friends Group ceasing to use the Park in

accordance with the terms of this Agreement

(b) immediately upon the Council ceasing to be the owner of the

Park

(c) by written notice which shall take effect immediately upon its

service on the Agreement at any time following breach by the

Friends Group of any of the agreements and conditions herein

contained

(d) at any time by either party giving seven days’ written notice to

the other of desire to determine the agreement

(e) Any notice to be given to the Friends Group under this Agreement shall be sufficiently served by recorded delivery post to the Chair of the Friends Group’s last known address and any notice to be given to the Council under this Agreement shall be sufficiently served if sent by recorded delivery to the Parks and Open Spaces The Stableblock, Langton’s House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1XJ



(2) Any obligation in this Agreement to pay money refers to a sum inclusive

of VAT

(3) Nothing in this Agreement shall affect or prejudice the Council's rights

power duties and obligations as a local authority or as owner of any

other property

IN WITNESS whereof the parties have executed this instrument the day and year first before written SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE LONDON ) BOROUGH OF HAVERING ) )

……………………………………………….. )

Duly Authorised Officer SIGNED ON BEHALF OF ) THE FRIENDS OF RISE PARK AND LODGE FARM PARK ) ) ) By the said ) ) ……………………………………………….. ) In the presence of:- ) ) ………………………………………………… ) Dated ………………………………………………… )



Mutually agreed Projects to be delivered in partnership between the Friends of Rise Park and Havering Parks and Open Spaces Service before March 31st 20xx

Project description Completion date

Key milestones Review Dates

Consultation exercise with local community on the design of additional outdoor gym equipment

April 20xx Agree scoping of consultation and methodology with LBH Design evaluation forms and set target groups for consultation Production of report with recommendations on selection of equipment

June Friends Meeting July Friends Meeting April 20xx

Installation of landscaped areas Spring 20xx Consultation September Draft designs October Final designs November Costing November Procurement January Planting February

September Friends Meeting October Friends Meeting November Friends Meeting November Friends Meeting January Friends Meeting February Friends Meeting

News Letter January 20xx

Review of existing Parks Friends News Letters Consultation on the design of the newsletter and contents July - September Agreement with LBH on print run and distribution method.

June Friends Meeting October Friends Meeting November Friends Meeting



First draft of news letter Early December Final draft Late December First edition printed and distributed January 20xx

December Friends Meeting December Friends Meeting February Friends Meeting



THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING

- and -

THE FRIENDS

OF RISE PARK

__________________________________________

Agreement granting Official Friends Status 20xx

to the Friends of RISE PARK __________________________________________

Parks and Open Spaces London Borough of Havering

The Stableblock Langton's House

Billet Lane Hornchurch RM11 1XJ

london borough of havering parks and open spaces · 2016-02-05 · london borough of havering was...

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