Public Open Space
Charity 810154
Overview
Summary
Public Open Space appears to be a place-based asset charity whose role is defined less by delivering a targeted programme than by holding open space in public use. Its stated purpose combines recreation, public access and amateur sport, suggesting that it may function as local civic infrastructure: maintaining conditions in which informal health, leisure and community activity can occur. The evidence does not yet show the specific place, facilities, partners or communities involved.
Operational geography
Coverage: Citywide
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- No current source located identifies the land or individual public-space site(s) held by the charity, so no supplied Birmingham ward or recognised place can be evidenced as an operational area.
- The conclusion that the charity has a citywide operational identity is a reasonable interpretation of the trustee report's statement that its open space is managed for the benefit of Birmingham's citizens; it does not establish that the charity owns or manages sites across the whole city.
- Birmingham City Council is both sole trustee and the body managing the open space on the charity's behalf. The available evidence does not distinguish the charity's specific site-level activity from the Council's wider parks and open-spaces service.
- The correspondence address described in the accounts has not been treated as an operational site.
Additional evidence needed
- A current copy of the 9 May 1950 trust deed, including any plan, schedule or description of the charitable land.
- Birmingham City Council's current charity-land or parks asset register linking charity number 810154 to specific parcels or sites.
- A current management, maintenance or service agreement identifying the public space(s) managed by Birmingham City Council for this charity.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
Who they help
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A stewardship role rather than a service-led role
The organisation appears to operate primarily by making and maintaining space available, rather than by directly delivering a broad range of activities or support services.
Why it matters
This frames the organisation as enabling other people, groups and activities. Its local value may therefore be wider than any events or sports it runs itself.
Show evidence
“TO BE USED FOR OPEN SPACE PURPOSES.”
Source:Charity Commission“Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space”
Source:Charity Commission
Public benefit is intentionally broad
By identifying the general public as its beneficiary, the organisation appears designed for shared rather than membership-defined benefit.
Why it matters
This suggests its decisions about access, maintenance and use may affect a broad local population, including people who do not engage through formal clubs or programmes.
Show evidence
“The General Public/mankind”
Source:Charity Commission“The provision of public spaces for healthful recreation”
Source:Charity Commission
Sport is part of a wider recreation function
Amateur sport appears to be one use of the space, alongside the broader purpose of healthful recreation, rather than the organisation's sole defining role.
Why it matters
This may create opportunities to understand whether sporting use complements, competes with, or limits less formal public recreation.
Show evidence
“Amateur Sport”
Source:Charity Commission“The provision of public spaces for healthful recreation”
Source:Charity Commission
- The location, scale and condition of the open space are unknown.
- It is unclear whether access is unrestricted, managed through bookings, or shaped by sporting use.
- No evidence identifies local partners, users, governance arrangements or sources of income.
Remaining uncertainties
- Details of the site or facilities, opening arrangements and actual uses.
- Annual reports, accounts or trustee reports showing maintenance priorities, income and expenditure.
- Evidence of users, local demand, sports clubs, community groups and partnerships.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
The provision of public spaces for healthful recreation
Charity objects
TO BE USED FOR OPEN SPACE PURPOSES.