THE future of Barnet’s parks and open spaces will be discussed next week.

A draft strategy, which focuses on the future funding and management of the borough’s 200-plus green spaces over the next decade, has been put together for Barnet Council.

The authority is due to cut £800,000 from its green spaces budget over the next four years, and the strategy suggests ways to fill this hole – including by attracting more lottery and sports funding.

It also suggests ways for the council to develop “greater partnerships” with volunteer and community groups to run parks, and how to achieve “wider public health priorities”.

The council’s environment committee will discuss the strategy on Monday (January 11).

If approved, it will go out to public consultation from January 18 until March 13. A final decision will be taken in May.

Councillor Dean Cohen, Conservative chairman of Barnet Council’s environment committee, said: “Our green spaces are highly valued by our residents, and rightly so.

“This draft strategy not only sets out the challenges that we face to make sure that our parks are among the best in London and continue to be loved by our residents, but it also makes it clear that our green spaces should play a key role in improving the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Barnet.

“I look forward to discussing the strategy with my colleagues at committee.”