We are accused of spreading “misinformation”

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20 Aug 2009 ... CAMPAIGNERS against the building of a road into Bute Park have been... Bute Park protesters in ‘misinformation’ fury Aug 20 2009 by Martin Shipton, South Wales Echo Add a comment Recommend CAMPAIGNERS against the building of a road into Bute Park have been accused of spreading “misinformation” in leaked emails written by council members to the judges of a top environmental award. Last month, the city centre park retained its Green Flag despite the furore over the building of a bridge and access road into the park. Correspondence disclosed to campaigner Anne Greagsby under the Freedom of Information Act shows that when an unidentified judge expressed concern about the possibility of a demonstration by members of the Bute Parks Alliance pressure group during their visit, an unnamed Cardiff Council officer accused the group of putting out “misinformation”. The correspondence also shows that the council entertained the judges to lunch at Cardiff Castle. Professor Kevin Morgan, chair of the campaign group Bute Parks Alliance said: “The nature of this correspondence clearly illustrates the deeply flawed nature of the Green Flag judging process. “The public believes that an award of this kind is given independently – but the interaction between the judges and Cardiff Council reveals that this is definitely not the case. “Furthermore, the judges did not even bother to find out why there is so much public opposition to the council’s development plans for Bute Park. “Work is now under way on the new lorry access bridge, creating a huge scar in what was once a lush and green woodland belt. “If the proposed 20 foot-wide road into Cooper’s Field, lorry turning circle, and nursery development are carried out, a significant area of the park will be unrecognisable. “But how much of this was revealed to the judges? And how many probing questions did they ask? “Both the council and the judges lack moral integrity in their attitude to the Green Flag, rendering it meaningless.” Paul Todd, manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, which is run by a partnership that includes Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace, said: “Our judges are trained to a very high standard to assess sites and decide whether they merit an award or not. “In this case they were made aware of the concerns that had been expressed about Bute Park by members of the public. When making their decision, they took all factors into consideration and made a judgment.”

Green Flag Secret judges

How did Bute Parks get a green flag award?

Secret judges! Why is there no public report? Why all the secrecy? see their letter below..

I wrote to them to ask but the judges must remain a secret! That makes me think that the judges may have undisclosed interests that make them bias towards the present park management. Otherwise there is no explaination for giving the award. as the key criteria are not met.

Healthy, Safe, and Secure
The reason given for the new bridge is that the present situation is not safe with so many pedestrians sharing a path with articulated lorries so why did the judges think this was ok?

Conservation and Heritage
Did the judges view the extreme damage caused by the work on the 'bridge/road' before planning permission and recent work affecting nesting birds also contrary to planning permission.

A management plan is about the future and policy and as on your own website states
'clearly and adequately addresses all the above criteria and any other relevant aspects of the park or green space’s management. The plan must be actively implemented and regularly reviewed. Financially sound management of the park or green space must also be demonstrated.'

The 'on going community involvement and partnership working' is sadly lacking as I pointed out that 5,000 people are not happy with the park policy and signed a petition. Another 1.600 on facebook object. These people have all serious concerns and have not been listened to.

All Lab cllrs, Tory and indepenent cllrs all oppose this plan.
Why is there no public report? Why all the secrecy?

From the green flag award...Paul Todd Green Flag Award Scheme Manager

Thank you once again for your email regarding Bute Park.

As a charity established as a private organisation, we are not covered by the FOIA, and therefore we are not required to provide the information you requested, i.e. the names of the Judges.

However, we do wish to be helpful and transparent in our dealing. I have therefore been in touch with both judges who assessed the site and shared with them the concerns that you have raised. They were able to confirm that the issues surrounding the development of the park were fully discussed with the parks management during their assessment.

The Green Flag Award Judges are asked to assess a site based on the management plan for that site and what they observe and discuss during their visit. Their decision is not based on future developments but on what is viewed at that point in time. The purpose of the scheme is to recognise well managed, quality green spaces that meet the needs of the users. If any future developments effect this in a detrimental way then future judges will take this into account when making their assessment.

This year both judges agreed that the park deserved a Green Flag Award for its high standards of maintenance, management practices, innovation and on going community involvement and partnership working, a decision which the scheme fully endorses.

I hope you find this information useful.

Kind regards

Paul Todd

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager

Keep Britain Tidy

Elizabeth House

The Pier

Wigan

WN3 4EX

Tel: 01942 612611

Fax: 01942 824778

Email: paul.todd@keepbritaintidy.org

Web site: greenflagaward.org.uk