This event will guide parish and town councils as they grapple with managing open spaces and parks in a challenging financial landscape.
As devolution increasingly shifts responsibilities to parish and town councils, it includes managing parks and open spaces. These vital green spaces are the lungs of their communities and play a crucial role in promoting public health, recreation, and biodiversity. However, recent trends have shown that as principal authorities face escalating financial pressures, they can no longer sustain the management of these spaces, often leaving parish and town councils to pick up the pieces without adequate financial support.
This event will guide parish and town councils grappling with managing open spaces and parks in a challenging financial landscape. By offering a deep dive into practical strategies, collaborative models, and real-world examples, attendees will leave with the tools and insights they need to safeguard the future of their communities' green spaces. Whether you're responsible for the day-to-day management or seeking solutions to ensure the sustainability of these vital community assets, this event is an unmissable opportunity.
Sponsors: Blachere Illumination, CCLA and Clear Councils Insurance
NB: NALC reserves the right to change the programme at any time.
Wells City Council
Cllr Theo Butt Philip grew up in Wells. After university in the north of England, he returned home and was elected to Wells City Council. He spent eight years as a councillor, including a year as mayor and has twice stood for parliament in Bridgwater and West Somerset. Theo has worked in a range of political and communications roles and is currently employed by a local authority.
Chair, National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces
Dave Morris is a long-standing social and community activist with a passionate commitment to public green spaces and grassroots empowerment. Since beginning his activism in 1975 while working as a postman, Dave has been at the forefront of numerous community-driven initiatives. In 2001, he co-founded the Friends of Lordship Rec to help revitalise Tottenham’s largest public park. He currently serves as chair of the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, which represents a national movement of more than 7,000 local community groups dedicated to protecting and enhancing green spaces. Dave also recently led the Empowering Communities Working Group within the Parks Action Group, the government and sector liaison body established to tackle key challenges across the parks and green spaces sector.
Clerk, Minehead Town Council
Ben Parker's path into clerking has been unconventional, beginning with a horticultural apprenticeship at West Somerset Council in 2007. He progressed through various local government roles, eventually joining the senior management team at Somerset West and Taunton Council. In October 2022, he became operations manager at Minehead Town Council and later took on deputy clerk duties during a period of staffing changes. After supporting a locum clerk in reforming council processes, he was appointed town clerk.