Verulamium Park Management Plan 2012-2017 v2.1

3.4 Budgets
The Councils financial year is 1 st April to the 31 st March. The net budgets for
the next three years are shown below and cover all aspect of routine
maintenance and repairs in the Park:
2013/14 £177’083
2014/15 £177’570
2015/16 £179;759
The Council has a Sustainable Procurement Policy, and this contract operates
under this policy. Additional works in the Park, outside of the contract, are put
out to tender with Local specialist companies. This assists local employment
and promotes competitive pricing.
Chapter 4 The Community Context
The Park is not only a key green space in the District but it also contributes to
a better quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The CABE report below
shows why this is so important.
4.1 The Value of Public Spaces for our Community
The CABE Space document highlights the value of existing open space,
quoting that over 2.5 billion visits are made each year to urban green spaces.
It states that despite the importance placed on open spaces, and the impact it
has on our lives, a large proportion of these open spaces can be neglected
and taken for granted.
It indicates that the value that open space brings to an area is split into areas
including:
• the impact that a high quality public environment can have on the
economic life of urban areas;
• the important role open space can play in addressing the increasing
obesity and health problems of the nation - open spaces helping to
improve both physical and mental health through encouraging walking,
participation in sport and the enjoyment of a green and natural
environment;
• open space is crucial to child development, and good quality open spaces
can contribute to this development, providing opportunities for fun,
exercise and learning;
• open space can offer the potential for meeting spaces; and
• open space can enhance the cultural identity of an area and can be seen
to provide a sense of place for local communities.
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