Brent Parks Service (BPS) had little or no formulated evidence about the concerns of the users/non-users of Brent parks and open spaces. For the first time, we now have an objective qualitative assessment of our parks and open spaces based on customer satisfaction. This was essential information when developing our Parks Strategy. Adopting this ethos, BPS now believes that we are second to none in the quality and depth of information that we can provide at a very low cost.

My GPMS presentation on Tuesday 28th June went brilliantly. The Management team were so impressed that they have asked me to do it this Wednesday 6th July to our Senior Rangers, Contract Managers, Animal Centre Manager, Landscaping team and Project Officers…. that's about 20 staff

We had so much info from last year that we are still implementing the findings e.g. New permanent park rangers in three parks this year with a role out over next few years to our other five main parks. We use our info at least once a week for something so we are getting the use out of it.

The council have always found Kens work to meet the brief that is set and completed on time and to budget .whilst his relationship with officers, founded as it is for both parties on a passionate approach to green space is both personable and professional .

Many thanks for the time and effort you took to give us such a comprehensive demonstration of your Greenspace Performance Management Service last week and for answering all our questions so thoroughly. My colleagues and I were very impressed with the range of benefits your package has to offer us .We believe it will go a long way to meeting our obligations under PPG 17 but has added value in areas that are of special interest to us at the present ie CPA and Performance Management.

Authorities using the System	Housing Associations using the System

Southampton	Saxon Weald
Barnet	Calico
Rugby	Worthing Homes
Vale of White Horse	West Wilts
Salford	Pennine 2000 Ltd
Newham (consultation only)	Rushcliffe Homes
Croydon	Boston Mayflower
Ealing	Elgar Housing
Cheltenham	Spa Housing
South Holland
Reigate and Banstead
Swale
Allerdale
Haringey
East Staffs
Peterborough
Wirral
Denbighshire
Brent
Weymouth and Portland
Waltham Forest
Windsor and Maidenhead
Epsom and Ewell
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
North Cornwall
Restormel
Eastleigh
Chichester
Leeds
Sunderland
Chorley (audit only)
Ken and Chelsea (audit only)
North Somerset (audit only)
Cannock Chase
Rushmoor
Teignbridge
Barking and Dagenham

Ken McAnespie deserves the recognition of the horticulture sector and those who have benefited from all the great work he has done. His many achievements demonstrate a professional who is driven to innovate, to push the boundaries and serve fellow professionals.

Rising to the challenge of competitive tendering of local authority parks and open spaces services – and while others were bemoaning the CCT legislation of the 1980s – Ken rose to the challenge and developed innovative new systems that not only helped make the contract management process less onerous but almost certainly helped councils and contractors alike save money and raise their game. There’s no doubt that Ken broke new ground here.

The Green Flag Park Awards have been a great success and are now used by government as a benchmark of excellence and best practice green space provision. The Scheme was the idea of a small team of like-minded parks and environmental professionals, and Ken was one of the original architects of the Scheme. It is typical of Ken that he was the one who put the Awards on a business-like footing by applying his deep knowledge of the market and of sound marketing practice. Without his advice the Awards may not have achieved their present status and standing.