Last night at Cambridge City Council we used their public question time section of the full council meeting to ask a question of Julie Smith, the Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation. After some preamble to explain why we were asking (37% of people signing our petition live in the City versus 43% in SCDC) we asked "what can the City Council do to help prevent the closure of a facility which is obviously very popular with its own residents?"

Cllr Smith replied thus:

Cambridge City Council recognises the importance of green open spaces to the residents of Cambridge. We are saddened about the threat to Milton Country Park, which is a much-loved facility that benefits both South Cambs and Cambridge residents. This is particularly unfortunate at a time when proposals for the Sports Lakes seem to be moving forward.

The City Council already contributes several million pounds every year to recreational facilities from which South Cambs residents benefit but to which South Cambs District Council do not make any financial contribution. The City Council is not able to contribute further financially. It might be possible for the City Council to manage Milton Country Park on behalf of SCDC at a lower cost then they currently face running the Park themselves. We would be open to exploring options with SCDC if they were interested in so doing.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the City, SCDC and Horizons have commissioned a joint report on management of open spaces in the growth areas [NIAB, N-W Cambridge and Southern Fringe] where we will have shared developments. This process may also offer some suggestions for South Cambs and we would be happy to talk to South Cambs about how the new joint working arrangements we will need to develop might also include Milton Country Park.

We are pleased with this very positive response from the City, especially the suggestion that they might manage Milton Country Park on behalf of SCDC at a lower cost (which is precisely what SCDC's Cabinet was calling for) and we have passed Cllr Smith's answer on to SCDC officers for them to follow up.

Written: 23/02/07

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