House of Commons
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee (EFRA)
Evidence Session
Tuesday 30 January at 14.30, Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Watch live on Parliamentlive.tv
In the second session of its ‘Urban Green Spaces’ inquiry, the EFRA Committee will focus on how successfully the Government and local authorities are protecting and increasing urban green spaces and will consider the long term sustainability of their funding.
In the first panel, the cross-party Committee will hear from representatives from local government and are likely to ask witnesses whether there is enough joined-up thinking at a local level to protect and enhance green infrastructure.
They will also seek their views on whether there should be stronger statutory duties for local authorities to maintain a certain provision of green space and on whether there should be a wider ‘right’ to access nature.
In the second panel, Committee members will question representatives from the National Trust, Natural England and Fields in Trust. MPs will ask these national organisations what protections are available to urban green spaces within the planning system, and whether these are sufficient.
The session will also examine the extent to which Government initiatives such as the Green Infrastructure Framework and Biodiversity Net Gain will address the causes behind the lack of green space in towns and cities.
Dr Neil Hudson MP Member of the EFRA Select Committee said:
"Green spaces are so important for us, boosting our mental health, providing habitats for wildlife and delivering for the environment. I am therefore committed to widening access across the nation for these critically valuable spaces - particularly in our towns and cities where trees and green spaces can often be lacking."
Witnesses
From 14.30:
· Mo Baines, Chief Executive, Association for Public Service Excellence
· Liz Stuffins, Chair of the Midlands Park Forum and Public Health Development Manager, Walsall Council
· Chris Avent, Green Estate Manager, Plymouth Council
From 15.30:
· Ellie Robinson, Head of Places, National Trust
· Alan Law, Deputy Chief Executive, Natural England
· Helen Griffiths, Chief Executive, Fields in Trust
