18/06/2018 - Permalink

Have your say on Shropshire’s Great Outdoors 2018-28 strategy consultation

Related topics: Community / Democracy / Leisure, culture and heritage

Shropshire Council is seeking the views of residents on its new Great Outdoors strategy in a public consultation.

Launched on 3 May 2018, the consultation gives local people the opportunity to tell Shropshire Council what they think about the proposed Great Outdoors 2018 – 2028 Strategy.

An areal image of The Mere at Ellesmere. Shropshire's Great Outdoors are running a consultation on the new 2018 to 2028 strategy that runs until Tuesday 31 July 2018.

The Mere at Ellesmere

Shropshire’s Great Outdoors sets out the strategic direction for the management and development of publicly accessible greenspace, Rights of Way and other access in the Shropshire Council area, aiming to inspire action to improve health, prosperity and happiness by cherishing Shropshire’s Great Outdoors.

The strategy was developed in partnership with a range of key organisations and users and was informed by data analysis and research.

Why are we consulting?

The public sector has seen significant change since the first Countryside Access Strategy (Rights of Way Improvement Plan) was produced in 2008.

An image of Ifton Meadows with the bluebells out in bloom. Shropshire's Great Outdoors are inviting residents to take part in the consultation of the new Great Outdoors strategy.

Ifton Meadows

The current economic climate and associated budget pressures along with the economic growth aspirations and the growing need for outdoor recreation for health and wellbeing mean a new approach is needed to ensure a quality service is provided to preserve Shropshire’s great outdoors.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said:

“The change that the public sector has experienced since the first Countryside Access Strategy was produced ten years ago has made the need to have a clear and prioritised plan to target resources whilst giving the best public benefit possible greater than ever.

“We want to ensure that this strategy is going to meet the needs of those people who use the publicly owned outdoor assets and the wider population and would welcome your views.”

To get involved in the Great Outdoors Strategy consultation, click here. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 31 July 2018.

The results of the consultation will be presented to Cabinet in September before being launched in autumn.