I’M honoured to be Cabinet Member for Parks on Chelmsford City Council, as I truly believe our parks and green spaces - including Hylands, Central Park and the Compass Gardens area of South Woodham Ferrers - to be the jewels in our city’s crown.

Indeed, this year no fewer than 14 of our city’s parks have been awarded the Government’s prestigious Green Flag award, more than any other local authority in the East of England.

But we’re not resting on our laurels - we have a number of significant projects under way.

Already this year we’ve completed ambitious - and expensive - upgrades to the Writtle Road and Stable Block car parks at Hylands House.

We’re also working on a new, modern, play area at Orange Tree Close in Moulsham Lodge while refurbishing the play areas at Chelmer Park, Lionmede Park and Nelson Grove - these form part of an extensive play area refurbishment programme that the then borough council started in 2012.

Elsewhere, the installation of the new sand-based artifi - cial carpet in Chelmer Park is nearing completion.

The carpet will provide multi-sport facilities, such as hockey and football, for many years to come.

It’s unfortunate that this work has to take place dur - ing the summer months, but the work is dependent on the weather, and the 3G pitch in - stalled in South Woodham Ferrers last summer has been a great success