Simon O'Brien hits the road to talk green spaces

ACTOR Simon O’Brien is to chair a series of meetings across the city on the future of its green spaces.

The aim is to give local people and organisations the opportunity to express their views.

Plucked by Mayor Joe Anderson to head the newly established Strategic Green and Open Space Review Board, O’Brien and his team have been tasked with looking at their fate in the wake of dwindling financial resources.

The big question will be how the board will respond if it is challenged on more controversial proposals currently exercising the thoughts and concerns of green-space campaigners across the city - namely Walton Hall Park, Sefton Park meadows, Woolton Woods and Calderstones Park. All are lined up for major housing and development schemes.

O’Brien told Confidential today: “Somebody said to me that I must be mad to take up this role. But I can’t think of a better time, when people are so engaged in the future of our green spaces.

“We will have meetings in each ward, compile our report and it will be fully independent.”

He added: “If people at the meetings make it clear they want their parks to remain untouched that will be reflected in my report to the mayor.”

Ahead of the meetings, which start next Thursday, O’Brien has had a number of briefing sessions with the council.

“I will start each meeting by giving an overview, outlining how the council is running out of maintenance money for the parks, giving people the hard facts. It will then be thrown open for people to come up with their own ideas about the way forward.”

Dwindling

Critics of the exercise are already suspicious about the motives, given the seemingly intransigence towards the fate of the four parks that are currently green battlegrounds in the city.

In the official announcement from the Town Hall about the meetings, O’Brien is quoted: “We know Liverpool people are passionate about their parks, play areas and other green and open spaces and we want them to have their say about their future, 

“We are on the lookout for ideas and suggestions which will help us to advise the city on how to preserve the long term future of some of the region’s most cherished spaces at a time when there is dwindling resources. 

“This is not just an issue which affects Liverpool. With pressure on the public finances of every town and city throughout the region and across the country there will be a lot of interest in Liverpool as we gather evidence and grapple with this hot topic. 

“I would urge people to come to the meetings and let us have their views and ideas - they could well influence how green and open spaces develop in the years to come.” 

The former Brookside star selected five of the board members to sit alongside him, with another five nominated by the city council.  

The council's list includes Regeneration Cabinet Member Malcolm Kennedy and Neighbourhoods Cabinet Member Steve Munby. 

Ex-councillor Malcolm Kelly of Woolton is also one of selections, described by O’Brien as his “guard dog”.

Following the ward visits, there be three themed workshops on “Accessibility”, “Finance” and “Stewardship” in April and May. These workshops will be for invited groups and individuals.