Agenda item

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Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

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It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that one Member of Council had also registered to speak.  The registrations were in respect of agenda item 4 – Application for Community Right to Bid under the Localism Act 2011 – Holgate Community Garden.

Mr David Barrett spoke on behalf of the Friends of Holgate Community Garden. He drew particular attention to the environment and heritage of the site.  Details were given of the wildlife that could be found on the site and the benefits that the garden brought to residents of all ages.  Mr Barrett stated that the green space was particularly important because it was in an urban environment.  Examples were given of the ways in which the community supported and maintained the gardens and its importance to community cohesion.  Mr Barrett also stated that the garden was in an area of special character because of its Victorian streetscape and had historic value.  He stressed the need to ensure that the views of residents were taken into account.  He informed the Executive Member that he welcomed the recommendation in the report that the garden be listed as an Asset of Community Value.

Ms Annabel Jelley stated that she was speaking as a representative of the local community and as a mother who had regularly taken her child to the garden.  She drew attention to the terraced housing that was in the vicinity of the garden, many of which had only small back yards.  She stated that the community garden was used on a daily basis by children and other residents and that the provision of a safe green space contributed to good mental health.  The basketball facilities and play equipment also provided opportunities for exercise.  Ms Jelley gave details of the ways in which the community had come together to improve the garden, including planting and tending the garden and participating in the Edible York movement.  The garden was of enormous value to local people.

Councillor Mary Cannon spoke on behalf of the three Holgate Ward Members.  She explained the importance of the Holgate Community Garden to the social wellbeing of the local community.  It was a place for the community to come together for activities including picnics, basketball and play. A scarecrow festival was also planned.  A donation had been made from ward funding to the edible garden.  The Friends of Holgate Garden Group was very active and the community garden was particularly important as it was the only open space in that part of the ward.  Councillor Cannon stated that she was pleased to note that the recommendation was to approve the listing of the community garden as an Asset of Community Value.

The Executive Member stated that he had also received two written representations in support of the application:

·        The Executive Member read out a statement from Mr Richard Knowles, Headteacher of St Paul’s CE Primary School.  The statement detailed the importance of the community garden to the school, particularly as the school did not possess its own playing fields.  The garden area provided a valuable learning resource to the school and to local community groups. 

·        The Executive Member stated that he had also received written representation from Ms Sally Mclean on behalf of St Paul’s Out of School Club.  The representation explained that the community garden was well used by the Out of School Club because of the landscape, ground cover, play equipment and gardening opportunities that it provided.

The Executive Member thanked the participants for their contributions.