Green light for Kirkham parks transfer
News article
Full steam ahead for parks
Kirkham will gain the freedom to manage its own parks and open spaces after members of Fylde Council agreed last night to transfer them to Kirkham Town Council.
The handover, from 1 April this year, will come with a £110,000 capital grant for Kirkham Town Council to improve its new assets.
Residents will, from 1 April, pay an annual precept to Kirkham Town Council – but will not have to pay the annual parks Special Expenses charge to Fylde Council.
The Special Expenses payment currently goes to maintain parks and open spaces in Lytham, St Annes and Kirkham, but the cost for the work in Kirkham will now be met by Kirkham Town Council.
Councillor David Eaves, Fylde Council leader, said: “This deal will give Kirkham Town Council ownership of parks and open spaces – something that Fylde and Kirkham has wanted for a long time.
“Kirkham now has the freedom to manage the parks as they see best. In the future, they can spend more on them – or less on them. It is entirely a matter for them and Fylde Council is pleased to hand over the £110,000 to help them on their way.
“This deal was proposed by a cross-party working group and we know it will be popular with residents.
“Parish and town councils across the country manage their own parks and open spaces and Kirkham will be no different. We all know that Fylde Council parks department has done a great job in the borough’s parks and we are confident that Kirkham Town Council will keep that good work going.”
Under the deal, Kirkham Town Council will be free to contract with whoever they want on maintenance of their new assets. If they choose to spend less, they could choose to cut their Council Tax precept – and vice-versa.
The assets include Kirkham Memorial Gardens, Southlands, The Chimes, St George’s Park, Calder Close, Donkey Park, Barnfield, William Segar Hodgson playing field and The Close.
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