Delivering Through Partnership

The preparation of this plan has shown that while the issues and challenges involved in tackling the poor state of greenspace in Scotland are many and varied, the potential benefits of improved greenspace are wide ranging. Achieving these benefits requires the commitment of many organisations, groups and individuals. The GfCI, and Greenspace Scotland in particular, will help develop and extend their commitment by ;

· creating a significant coordinated and networked resource;

· bringing together expertise across the range of fields required to achieve an integrated approach to greenspace projects;

· linking those working ‘on the ground’ in partnership with communities with those developing and implementing strategies to coordinate and support local action;

· raising awareness of issues and championing the GfCI vision at all levels in the governance of Scotland;

· combining resources, both financial and in-kind at a national level with those committed at a local level.

This section sets out the role and commitment of the GfCI partners and examines opportunities to develop wider partnerships.

Greenspace Scotland is central to the delivery of the GfCI. It brings together local greenspace partnerships and national organisations to raise the profile of greenspace across Scotland (Box 6 and Figure 4). It will enable effective coordination and efficient management of work to achieve the GfCI mission, while facilitating action by the local greenspace partnerships.

Greenspace Scotland’s Strategy 2002 – 2005 sets out how they will coordinate and support local greenspace initiatives, develop new partnerships and link greenspace work with social, economic and wider environmental objectives. Recognising their coordinating, supporting, enabling and resourcing role, it explains how they will create an environment in which local partnerships can establish greenspace and community projects that meet local needs.

Figure 4 - Structure of Greenspace Scotland Board

Box 6

Greenspace Scotland

Greenspace Scotland is a federation of local greenspace partnerships, and is the only national organisation with greenspace as its sole focus.

The Greenspace Scotland Board, which includes nominees from each of the founder members, brings together experience of greenspace work from across Scotland. New local partnerships joining Greenspace Scotland will be represented on the Board, and there are also places for invitee directors. As new directors are appointed opportunities to increase the range of skills and experience within the organisation will arise.

Greenspace Scotland Website

Local greenspace partnerships bring together a range of organisations to lead the delivery of action at a local level (figure 5 and boxes 7 – 10). All the member partnerships are committed to achieving the GfCI vision, and will work with Greenspace Scotland to:

· coordinate fund raising activity;

· implement coordinated monitoring and evaluation;

· produce promotional information;

· publicise their involvement in Greenspace Scotland.

Local partnerships vary considerably in size and structure, and some are relatively new. Collectively they have extensive experience of developing and delivering greenspace projects in partnership with communities and others. Working within the federal structure of Greenspace Scotland will encourage sharing of this experience and provide support to new and developing partnerships. Annex 5 details the key partners and contributors to current local greenspace partnerships.

Box 7

Aberdeen Countryside Project

ACP was set up in 1998 to improve, and promote education, understanding and enjoyment of, the natural environment in and around Aberdeen. It brings together a number of partners, including Aberdeen City Council, the Forestry Commission, and SNH.

ACP works with a range of groups and local initiatives including landowners, voluntary organisations, schools and community groups to plan and fund environmental projects. Already it has built up a good track record in developing, supporting and delivering greenspace work.

ACP Website

Figure 5 – Possible partners for a Local Greenspace Partnership

The Scottish Executive has a vital role in furthering the policy linkages outlined in section 3, and can contribute to the development of the GfCI by;

· encouraging community planning partnerships to reflect the GfCI vision in their community plans;

· encouraging the protection and improvement of greenspaces through the statutory planning process;

· establishing budgets and providing additional resources to improve the planning and management of greenspace and, if appropriate, ring-fencing such funding;

· establishing mechanisms to improve the provision and quality of greenspace;

· promoting greenspace as a key resource for lifelong learning and healthy living;

· ensuring that the strategies of economic development, housing and regeneration agencies give priority to greenspace projects as a means of tackling social exclusion and maximising investment potential.

SNH and Greenspace Scotland will work with the Scottish Executive to ensure that the GfCI vision becomes a key priority in its programme for government.

The New Opportunities Fund (NOF), through Fresh Futures, is supporting the establishment of the GfCI. Further NOF funding for greenspace is now available through the Transforming Your Space open grants programme, also managed by Fresh Futures. NOF is therefore a key funding partner and supporter of community focussed greenspace improvements in Scotland.

Box 8

Edinburgh Green Belt Trust

EGBT was established in 1991 and is core funded by SNH, City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian and East Lothian Council and Tarmac Northern Ltd. It aims to improve the appearance, accessibility and wildlife value, and stimulate the enjoyment and appreciation, of the Green Belt.

Since then it has become a vital catalyst for environmental and local community action, and has developed its role as a delivery mechanism for projects ranging from access improvements and educational activities, to the restoration of key landscape features.

EGBT Website

Local authorities are key partners in improving the quantity and quality of greenspace. They set the development plan framework within which greenspace is protected and improved, and new greenspace created. They own and manage parks and open spaces. Local authority ranger services lead and manage projects and activities that align with the GfCI aims, and many other key workers in greenspace projects are employed by councils. Local Nature Reserves, Access Strategies and core path plans, and environmental education also rely on local authority involvement.

PAN 65 ‘Planning for Open Space’ (Scottish Executive, 2003) encourages councils to undertake an open space audit and prepare a strategy as an effective means of improving coordination of council departments with responsibilities for open space. While many local authorities across Scotland are demonstrating commitment to the management and improvement of open space and its relationship to quality of life, comprehensive audits of open space, and strategies for improvement and new provision are still few and far between.

Local authorities are key partners in the planning and delivery of the work of all the local greenspace partnerships. In Glasgow and the Clyde Valley they are contributing £1.9 million to the GfCI, and in other parts of Scotland they are major funders of local greenspace partnerships and other greenspace work. The GfCI will support councils in delivering across a range of policy areas. Improvements to greenspace can be linked to access, biodiversity and sustainable development programmes. Community involvement in greenspace projects can support work on community learning, social inclusion and health and well-being. Where local authorities are developing an Open Space or Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy, Greenspace Scotland and SNH will help inform policy and guide action.

Communities, including ‘communities of interest’, are essential partners in the planning and delivery of greenspace projects, and supporting community action is a key part of the work of local greenspace partnerships. A wealth of enthusiasm and expertise exists within communities themselves, and this represents a potentially huge and vital resource. Supporting this in a way that secures commitment and encourages future action is essential to achieving the GfCI vision.

The future development of the GfCI must be responsive to the needs and views of communities throughout Scotland. Local greenspace partnerships will work with communities to identify how greenspace action can improve their neighbourhoods, and help them in acquiring the skills and resources they need to create effective projects. Greenspace Scotland will provide support and advice to help ensure that greenspace work is sustained and is connected to wider agendas.

Box 9

Glasgow & Clyde Valley Greenspace Trust

GCVGT was created as part of GfCI when SNH, working with seven local authorities in Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, re-structured the Countryside Around Towns projects. The Trust brings together five Greenspace Teams to deliver greenspace improvements and community involvement across Scotland’s largest conurbation, and almost 1.5 million people.

The Greenspace Teams, employed by local authorities, will deliver greenspace projects that involve local people, stimulate partnership and connect to wider agendas, including social inclusion, local enterprise, health and biodiversity. The local authority partners are committed to achieving the GfCI vision through the activities of their Greenspace Teams and by working with an Area Partnership.

Five Area Partnerships strengthen this by bringing together experience from a range of organisations and interests, from SNH and enterprise councils, to voluntary organisations and community groups. The Area Partnerships set out a programme for action and oversee its implementation by the local Greenspace Team. Each Area Partnership has a place on the GCVGT board.

GVCGT Website

The voluntary sector makes an invaluable contribution to improving greenspace and quality of life in Scotland’s settlements. A wide range of organisations and initiatives are involved, including:

· Scottish Wildlife Trust – the Urban Greenspace Action Pack provides practical advice on how to protect enhance and create greenspaces, and encourage community participation. SWT also own or manage many areas of greenspace;

· BTCV Scotland – Environments for All aims to increase participation from excluded groups, while the Green Gym links volunteering to improve the local environment with the health benefits of moderate exercise;

· Paths for All Partnership – connecting greenspaces and linking them to the wider countryside, creates multi-functional green networks. The ‘Paths for Health’ scheme encourages increased use of greenspaces.

Greenspace Scotland and SNH will encourage coordinated working to strengthen and support the roles of these and other groups. The Greenspace Scotland network provides a framework for local partnerships that will add value to existing initiatives, maximise opportunities and avoid duplication.

The private and enterprise sector has a key role in ensuring that greenspace action stimulates new investment, skills development and employment:

· Local Enterprise Companies are involved in many of the local greenspace partnerships and are working on projects that have achieved measurable success in improving corporate image, creating jobs, increasing turnover and profits, and stimulating interest in the area from other potential investors;

· Businesses across Scotland also contribute to greenspace projects through sponsorship, in kind contributions and corporate volunteering;

· The Greenbelt Group of Companies has developed extensive expertise in the management and maintenance of greenspace close to business and residential developments, and promotes local community involvement in this.

Box 10

Central Scotland Forest Trust

CSFT was established in 1985 to promote woodland establishment and environmental improvement across Central Scotland and improve the image of an area scarred by past industrial activity. Central to this mission is the creation of the Central Scotland Forest, doubling woodland cover in the area by 2015.

CSFT leads the Central Scotland Forest Partnership which also includes SEERAD, SNH, Local Authorities, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Enterprise and local enterprise companies. Priorities for CSFT are projects which address social and environmental justice, deliver health benefits and reduce the fear of crime, and help support the economic performance of the Forest area.

CSFT Websit

Developing wider partnerships is essential if greenspace is to become a cross-cutting issue within the framework of sustainability and improving quality of life. Involving new national and regional partners in Greenspace Scotland and the local greenspace partnerships will create new opportunities to improve health and well-being, social and environmental justice and economic development.

Communities Scotland (box 11), the Forestry Commission (box 12), NHS Health Scotland and local Health Boards, the Scottish Enterprise Network and Scottish Environment Protection Agency all have an interest in aspects of the GfCI vision. Local greenspace partnerships are already working with some of these organisations at a local level. By building on these relationships, Greenspace Scotland will offer new opportunities for working together a national level. This will help to stimulate the development of projects that deliver shared objectives and a range of benefits for people living in our towns and cities.

Box 11

Communities Scotland aims to ‘improve the quality of life for all people in Scotland by fostering sustainable and healthy communities that are attractive, vibrant and safe’, a mission that links closely with that of GfCI