URGENT action needed by THIS FRIDAY 30th September!

The Communities and Local Government Committee has launched an inquiry into public parks to examine how they should be maintained now and in the future. The inquiry will consider alternative management and funding models, such as mutuals or trusts. This amounts to nothing more than privatisation.

The Committee says that local authorities have no statutory duty to provide or maintain our public parks. That makes them vulnerable to privatisation in the great sell-off of our public assets. Not only must this be challenged now but we need a legal duty to protect them for future generations. See We Own It's excellent website on what happens when public playspaces are privatised.

We believe that our public parks should remain just that - public. They should not be mutualised, turned into trusts or be sold off. Parks give life to communities, they create safer neighbourhoods, they provide green spaces in towns and cities, help children learn and promote public health.

The ongoing destruction of the NHS relies on the idea that healthier and more 'resilient' communities will need fewer health services. With failing social services, public health cut back and now parks under threat this can be seen as PR and spin, not reality.

These spaces should remain at the heart of our communities and public ownership will ensure their future protection.

Make sure that you have your say and send a clear message to the government that our parks are not going to be another in the long list of the Great National Sell Off of public land and institutions. The so-called 'austerity' programme can no longer be used to handover great rewards to private companies. Make it clear to them that 'austerity' is an ideological choice not an economic reality.

Please complete this online survey about your local park.

In the box provided for question 11 please add the following or your own words along similar lines,

'I believe that our public parks should remain publicly owned. They should not be mutualised. Parks give life to communities, they create safer neighbourhoods, they provide green spaces in towns and cities, help children learn and promote public health.

These spaces should remain at the heart of our communities and public ownership will ensure their future protection. '

You can read more about why public parks should not be privatised by campaign group We Own It who promote public services for people not profit.

Last year a last minute call about the NHS Mandate produced thousands of responses. We can do it again! Make consultation real. Fill that online survey in today....in fact, do it now. The deadline is this Friday 30th September.