Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 26th August print edition.
The warm weather we have been enjoying the last month or so has been welcomed by some but less so by others, particularly our green-fingered gardeners. If you are a gardener, you will know well the challenges the dry, humid temperatures have brought to our green spaces.
The results are clear to see with the grass looking like straw and now many water companies having to introduce hosepipe bans to manage water supply.
Despite these challenges, thanks to the hard work of East Staffordshire Borough Council (ESBC) staff and volunteers, earlier this month Stapenhill Gardens in Burton and Bramshall Road Park in Uttoxeter were awarded ‘Green Flag’ status.
The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed public parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of outdoor recreational spaces across the UK and around the world.
It is a real testament to the hard work of those that make our green spaces such great places to relax, exercise, and socialise, that we now have two parks with Green Flag status.
A further bit of good news for our parks recently was an announcement in the form of £9 million Levelling Up Parks Fund from the Government. It was confirmed that ESBC will receive a share of this funding to improve our local green spaces and increase pride in our community.
Thanks to this investment from the Government, people of all ages will be able to better enjoy the parks and public spaces in our area. This follows further new investment in our area with the Government signing off plans for the £23.8million Towns Fund plans earlier this week, which include enhancements to the Washlands and improving access into the town centre.
This is great news for Burton, and I am confident, whoever the next Prime Minister is, the mission to level up our country will continue apace. As your MP, I will continue to campaign for new investments to be delivered in Burton and Uttoxeter
