The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services presented a report summarising the initial findings of the Open Space Audit, produced by consultants Strategic Leisure, which was required to provide part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Development Framework and to establish the future strategy for the management of the Council’s parks and open spaces. It was recommended that a public consultation exercise be undertaken and that the finalised Audit, taking account of the consultation responses, be reported back to Cabinet for approval and inclusion in the emerging Local Development Framework for Wirral.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services be granted delegated authority in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning Strategy to make any necessary factual corrections to the report before the process of public consultation commences

(2)  public consultation be undertaken along the lines set out in section 5 of this report; and

(3)  the finalised Audit, taking into account the findings of the public consultation, be reported back to Cabinet for consideration and approval before the findings are included in the emerging Local Development Framework for Wirral.