Decision details

(a)       That the following principles be supported:-

·          From 2014/15, the County Council align its match funding improvement scheme to the findings of the play survey.

·         That each Town and Community Council be invited to express an interest in participating in the match-funding improvement scheme for 2014/15 and beyond.

·         In order to ensure that the County Council’s funding is directed at areas of need identified in the condition survey, Leisure Services will identify those play areas which will be in scope (‘Red’ and ‘Amber’ sites) and out of scope (‘Green’ sites). 

·         Approval of any proposed scheme should be:-

-     Dependent upon the level of capital funding made available by the County Council

-     Based upon a maximum contribution of £10,000 per scheme

-     Determined on a priority basis in accordance with the findings of the play survey with investment targeted to strategically important sites

-     Confined to those play areas identified as ‘Red’ or ‘Amber’

·         From 2014/15, 10% of the fixed play match-funding budget will be allocated to meet the ongoing maintenance costs of the fixed play portfolio.

(b)       That Officers provide a further report on the potential decommissioning of play areas recognised as being in a poor state of repair and of low strategic importance; and

(c)        That an updated copy of the play area condition survey be circulated to the Committee.