Parish Council
Sticklepath Parish Council ( SPC) has accepted the Climate Emergency Declaration, and a major response has been to consider new ways to manage the green spaces in the parish.
During a very interesting visit by Cllr Niki Wooldridge to the South Tawton School Council, it was mentioned that SPC undertook a consultation on how we should manage the Green Spaces in their area. It was suggested that there might be contributions, ideas and efforts that children would like to make.
It was agreed by the SPC to construct a survey which could provide a focus for work with the children, and that could influence the Parish Council and other agencies responsible for the environment and green spaces that the children knew themselves. We suggest that initially this survey be completed by the School Council, but it has potential to be used as part of a school curriculum. SPC would be happy to provide assistance with this.
The attached survey has utilised some questions that have been used in a national survey of children. The ‘Children’s People and Nature Survey’ provides information on how children and young people experience and think about the natural environment. For more information and wider results see: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-childrens-people-and-nature-survey-for-england-2022-update
We would value some idea as to how children see ‘outdoors’ and gives us some comparators with responses in other parts of the country. The second part of the survey covers some specific questions about what children would want us, as adults with some influence and responsibilities, might want us to do differently in respect of green spaces.
Question 1 will give an idea of how children use specific ‘outdoors’ – their garden. The national picture shows an increase year on year ( 72% used their garden last week in 2022, 59% in 2021)
Question 2 indicates how children used outdoor and green spaces in the previous week. Nationally this was 64% yes in 2022.
Question 3 indicates whether is interest in nature. 30% said most days/some days
Question 4 asks for children’s views on the way adults are responding to the needs of the environment. 34% nationally said that they thought adults did so, 43% said not
Question 5 asks if the children would like to do more for the environment. Nationally 83% agreed to some degree.
Question 6 is specific to the agenda that the Parish Council has been working on. It attempts to find out children’s views on the management of grass cutting and the management of verges.
Question 7 also outlines opinions that have been expressed in relation to the management of kerbsides and pavements. It is hoped that children will show which opinions they hold
Question 8 considers the green spaces within which children are considered to be significant users through play. It introduces a prevailing policy in many council areas to leave green spaces wilder, and it is important that children have the opportunity to comment on this.
Action
To share the draft survey with South Tawton School with the proposal for the process to be shared with their School Council.
Cllr Derek Moore
8th June 2023
Thank you for letting us know a bit more about what you think about how we use the ‘outdoors’ and our green spaces. We hope you can help us to make the best choices for you and the environment.
1) Thinking about when you were not at school in the last week, how often have you spent any time in your own garden (if you have one)? This includes any garden that you share with your neighbours
Please select one answer only:
| Every day | Most days | Once or twice | Never | I don’t have a garden | Don’t know | Prefer not to say |
2) Thinking about when you were not at school in the last week, how often have you spent time outside in places that are not your garden?
Please select one answer only
| Every day | Most days | Once or twice | Never | Don’t know | Prefer not to say |
3) Thinking about when you were not at school in the last week, how often have you spent time noticing nature? (e.g., looking, listening, experiencing it)
Please select one answer only
| Every day | Most days | Once or twice | Never | Don’t know | Prefer not to say |
4 ) How much do you agree or disagree with the following: “I think adults are doing enough to look after the environment”
Please select one answer only
| Completely agree | Strongly agree | Agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagree | Strongly disagree
|
Completely disagree | Don’t know | Prefer not to say |
Please select one answer only
| Completely agree | Strongly agree | Agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Disagree | Strongly disagree
|
Completely disagree | Don’t know | Prefer not to say |
Now Sticklepath Parish Council are asking your views on decisions they make on those outdoor spaces for which they have responsibility. These decisions are similar to those made by other Councils, and we will be able to share our findings with other areas.
6) Many Councils have accepted the Climate Emergency Declaration.
Have you heard anything about this Declaration?
| A lot | A little | Not a lot | Not at all | Don’t know / prefer not to say |
7) Many Councils have now reduced the grass cutting on road verges to allow more wildflowers. There are many views on this.
| Great idea | Good idea | Not sure | Bad idea | Really bad idea |
| What are your views on this:
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8) Many Councils have decided not to use weedkiller sprays on pavements and kerbsides.
There are many views on this.
| Great idea | Good idea | Not sure | Bad idea | Really bad idea |
| What are your views on this:
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8) Many Councils are leaving parts of their Parks and Playing Fields to become wilder.
There are many views on this.
| Great idea | Good idea | Not sure | Bad idea | Really bad idea |
| What are your views on this:
|
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