Agenda and minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting of the Fair Space Task and Finish Group held on Thursday 16 November 2023

The notes of the meeting held on Thursday 16 November 2023 were received.

To receive any declarations of interest from members of the Task and Finish Group

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider relevant policies in the draft Horsham District Local Plan 2023 - 2040.

To consider what, if any, changes might be able to be made to the following policies to advance sex-based equality and inclusivity:

·         Green Infrastructure Strategy (April 2014)

·         Open Space, Sport and Recreation Review – Non-Technical Summary Paper (June 2021)

·         Play Strategy 2017 - 2027

Draft Horsham District Local Plan 2023 – 2040

The Head of Strategic Planning reported that the draft Local Plan had been agreed for consultation. The consultation would take place from 19 January 2024 to 1 March 2024, following which officers would be processing responses.

The draft Local Plan was likely to be submitted for examination in June or July 2024 and the Strategic Planning team could review suggestions received from the Task and Finish Group by the end of May 2024.

Green Infrastructure Strategy (April 2014)

An updated Green Infrastructure Strategy and Guide had been circulated to Members in advance of the meeting with a request that any comments be submitted to officers by 12 January 2024.

Open Space, Sport and Recreation Review – Non-Technical Summary Paper (June 2021)

It was considered that the suggested facilities for young people set out in this document were very male orientated.

Officers raised the possibility of creating design guidance or an addendum to the document. The Head of Strategic Planning would consider these options further.

Play Strategy 2017 – 2027

The Head of Sustainability and Green Spaces acknowledged that the Play Strategy needed to be reviewed and explained that it would be helpful to utilise the data collected by the Task and Finish Group as part of that process. 

It was agreed that Councillor Jon Olson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces, would be invited to attend a future meeting of the Task and Finish Group to discuss the Play Strategy following the Group’s data collection exercise.

The Group heard from the Parks and Countryside Development Manager in relation to the process for reviewing and replacing council-owned play spaces. Some changes had already been implemented in connection with making space for girls.

The Chairman took the Group through a presentation which gave examples of how creating inclusive play spaces had been approached in other countries.

One Member enquired about the possibility of working with a major developer within the district in relation to the provision of play spaces at a particular site. It was suggested that the Head of Development and Building Control would be the most appropriate person to speak to.

ACTIONS:

·         The Chairman to contact the Procurement Manager in relation to tender processes.

·         The Chairman to contact the Head of Finance and Performance in relation to gender-sensitive budgeting.