The CPCA is excluded from the Community Stakeholder Board, one of six boards established by Bromley to consider future management and development of Bromley’s only Grade II* Registered Metropolitan Open Land park, Crystal Palace Park. The recommendations of these boards will be considered by Bromley’s Executive Committee.
This exclusion of the CPCA ensures this 42-year old charity registered amenity society will play no further role in the future of this park after years of interest and association.
Bromley’s draft Crystal Palace Park Management Board Terms of reference identifies “Sustainable development to promote revenues streams”, “Implementing the vision and spirit of the Crystal Palace Park Masterplan.”(Which includes sale of public parkland for construction of 180 private luxury apartments) “…opportunities for investment …”and that “…difficult decisions may have to be made for the on-going sustainable future of the park to be guaranteed.”
Although It is claimed by Bromley that three of the eleven appointees to The Community Board satisfy their own condition to be from “…existing community groups” only the Friends of Crystal Palace is a bona fide community group, with open membership and elected committee, a published constitution and accounts.
Bromley are in blatant breach of their own condition that appointees to the Community Board “…must have sufficient authority to speak for their organisations/sectors/partnerships and to provide worthwhile contribution to the work of the Crystal Palace Park Management Board” and “…that feedback is given to their nominating organisations and it is sufficiently reflected upon with action taken as appropriate and relevant feedback provided in timely fashion and to the appropriate structure members.”
The Community Stakeholder Board has met on a number of occasions and requests to Community Development Manager, Louisa Allen, for access to minutes of these meetings under community information and later under FOI, were formally refused by Ms Allen.
Following the CPCA’s 17 July 2012 detailed written response to such refusal, and to which no reply has been received to date, Louisa Allen left Bromley Council on 26 July 2012.
If you object to Bromley’s exclusion of the CPCA from vital consideration and discussion on the future of our historic park, then write in no uncertain terms to Marc Hume, Director Renewal and Recreation, The Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH, and copy your letter to Bromley Council Leader Stephen Carr at the same address. The CPCA would of course like to receive a copy of your protests.
Click below to view the full correspondence, which should be read in reverse order.