Purpose

To update this Committee on the Green and Open Spaces Strategy Task and Finish Group and confirm next steps in the Strategy refresh.

Decision

1. 1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services providing an update on the actions to date in the review of the Sheffield Green & Open Spaces Strategy. It includes the work of the Task and Finish Group held in 2025/26 with Committee members, Council officers, and partners from around the city. There was also consideration of the Sheffield Waterways Strategy, as it was felt important to broaden the scope of a refreshed strategy to include green and blue spaces.

1. 2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

(a)  Notes the contents of the report.

(b)  Thanks the elected members, and partners who participated in and supported the Task and Finish Group.

(c)  Supports the outcomes and recommendations of the Task and Finish Group.

(d)  Approves the Task and Finish Group’s recommendation to deliver a refresh of this strategy and as part of this broaden its remit to become a Green and Blue Spaces Strategy for Sheffield 2040.

(e)  Instructs officers to explore the resourcing options to undertake the development of the Green and Blue Spaces Strategy renewal

1. 3

Reasons for Decision

1. 3.1

The Sheffield Green & Open Spaces Strategy 2010-2030 (GOSS) is a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing and protecting the city's green spaces over two decades. It remains the key strategy setting out the goals and objectives for green spaces across the city and is the backdrop of decision-making and identifying priorities. With several years of the strategy remaining, this is the right time to undertake the work required to establish a new strategy for Sheffield’s green and blue spaces for the time beyond 2030.

1. 4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

1. 4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do nothing

The Green and Open Spaces Strategy 2010 – 2030 has 3.5 years left and there is an option to not carry out a review at this stage and not begin work on a new strategy beyond 2030. Doing nothing could mean that Sheffield falls short of the objectives set out in the strategy, does not adequately consider current and future challenges for the city’s green and blue infrastructure, and potentially lose out on opportunities to attract external investment. These would impact our ability to contribute to priorities in the Council Plan and City Goals.

1. 4.2

Alternative Option 2: Review and Refresh the strategy in 2030.

The changes to the external environment set out in section 1 of this report, mean that Sheffield must review its strategic approach to managing its green and blue infrastructure and ensure that this key policy is fit for purpose both now and beyond 2030. As this is a significant strategy, it requires early consideration, to develop an evidenced based strategic approach to managing, developing and protecting Sheffield’s blue and green infrastructure. Delaying this work until 2030 would mean that Sheffield is left without a strategic response to the external environment, where a clear strategic framework is increasingly required to secure external funding and maximise partnership potential.