Dukes Meadows Trust, www.dukesmeadowstrust.org an organisation started by and made up of local people has transformed the public areas of Duke Meadows from a derelict no go area to a lovely and popular park with the best play facilities in the Borough. The trust achieved this by engaging local people, including children, and raising over £1 million in grants and donations. The trust also established social enterprises, including a popular weekly market now 15 years old, which raise revenue to maintain the improvements.

The project was hailed in Local Government magazine as a model of good practice. Despite this and the park winning a Green Flag award, the council categorises the meadows as a "lowest priority park" the trust is side lined and it's work in the park damaged by council initiatives. In 15 years no one from the council has even thanked the trust and its volunteers for their efforts.

Without any consultation with the trust, council officers have tabled an item for a council meeting to discuss creating a "development plan" for the meadows.

We call on Cllr Curran to ensure that any plans for Dukes Meadows are led by Dukes Meadows Trust, which has demonstrated its competence and strategic ability in making improvements to the park, is closely engaged with the community and clubs who use the meadows and has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the area. We also ask that any resources made available to improve the meadows are given to the trust to manage, so that best value for money and quality of work is achieved.