Keep Parks Out of Leisure Trust, say LibDems

8.00.00pm GMT Tue 30th Sep 2003

Liberal Democrat councillors have re-stated their opposition to Bromley's parks, play areas and open spaces making up part of the proposed Leisure Trust, saying that they should remain within local, democratic, control.

In plans drawn up by Bromley Tories, the majority of services within the Council's Leisure and Community Services Department will transfer to an appointed Trust by the end of this year. The current plan is to include the Borough's parks, play areas and open spaces in the Trust.

However, Liberal Democrat Leisure and Culture spokesman, Cllr David McBride, said that parks should remain in the Council, which is accountable to the public. "Most residents in Bromley use their parks and open spaces for exercise, to play sport or walk their dogs. They are one of Bromley's most used facilities and they are facilities which are cherished by the public that use them. In many areas there are groups of local residents which help to look after the parks. For the Council to abdicate responsibility for them, and hand over control to an appointed Trust, is wrong. It can't happen."