Decision details

Ownership of the network was transferred to Doncaster Council Officers shortly after its creation. Since then, the Doncaster Green Space Network (DGSN) has been organised and coordinated by various DMBC Officers, but there is no dedicated Officer support.

Currently, there is no dedicated Officer support for the DGSN. Through consultation both Doncaster Council and the community groups involved in the network have recognised the need for committed support to the DGSN. Additional support would provide the resources, skills, and
attention to facilitate the development of the DGSN. This would increase the capacity and effectiveness of the network, whilst also providing Officers with additional capacity as the network grows in efficiency and sustainability.

Working with an external organisation aligns with our values of collaboration and partnership-building. Stepping away from the current Council-centric approach, we will work collaboratively to embed strength and sustainability within the Green Space Network and Green Space Volunteering.

The strategic aims of the DGSN are to build community capacity and sustainability within its community groups to support the development of, and improve community engagement in, Doncaster’s parks and green spaces. This will also support wider priorities within the Public Health agenda by increasing physical activity and improving health and wellbeing.

This is an opportunity to improve our ways of working with the DGSN. It is important to ensure that Get Doncaster Moving’s key strategic values are incorporated in the decision-making process.
We also wish to involve members of the GSN within the subsequent recruitment or tendering process. We will continue to seek the views of members of the GSN in the future and incorporate these perspectives into future development of the network and its governance.

Appoint to the post of the Doncaster Green Space Network Co-ordinator through by an external organisation via a procurement exercise.

A suitable partner will be sourced to support and facilitate the running of the Doncaster Green Space Network over the course of the Future Parks Programme. The purpose of the network is to provide a space for community groups to collaborate, share learning, and develop their volunteering capacity.

The funding for this role is in place through Get Doncaster Moving - Doncaster Future Parks.

GDM has £165,150 funded from Sport England over 5 years, to provide a Coordinator.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

The alternative option is to hire a Doncaster Green Space Network co-ordinator internally, this option is not aligned as closely with our strategic values. It does have the same potential to build community capacity, resilience, or sustainability, and it is not community-led.

Consideration would need to be given to who formally incorporates the responsibilities – whether that is an individual or a collective, which team they sit within, and who is responsible for line managing them.