Issue - meetings

(a)       That the item be deferred; and

(b)       That the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Head of Culture and Leisure introduced a report concerning the Play Development Summer Play Schemes which had been considered by Cabinet on 16 July 2013.  He advised that the report had sought to identify sustainable provision of the summer play scheme from April 2014 and made recommendations about the future allocation of grant funding for the provision of the summer play scheme.

The Head of Culture and Leisure provided background information and advised that the availability of grant funding for summer play schemes in 2014/15 and beyond had not yet been confirmed by Families First.  He referred to the consultation which had been undertaken with Town and Community Councils concerning reduced funding for 2013/14 and the allocation of play schemes and said that the need for additional provision in rural and urban areas had been raised. 

Councillor N.M. Matthews raised concerns around the funding for future provision of play schemes in Flintshire. The Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Waste & Recycling and Leisure advised that the recommendation to Cabinet was subject to confirmation of the Families First funding.

Councillor C.A. Thomas emphasised the importance of play schemes and commented on the increase in participation in 2013.  She referred to the meeting of the Task and Finish Group which was held in April 2013 where it was proposed that following collation of the feedback from the Summer play scheme 2013 a further meeting of the Task and Finish Group would be arranged to consider proposals for the 2014 play scheme.  She expressed concern that the proposals in the report may not fully address the level of need in some communities.

Councillor R.C. Bithell suggested that consideration be given to the provision of library based events which could be scheduled to take place before and after the summer play schemes.   

                           Councillor D.I. Mackie proposed that the item be deferred to allow the Task and Finish Group to meet and consider feedback from users of the Summer Play Scheme 2013 and that the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Chairman asked Members to consider deferring the item until the Task and Finish Group had met to consider the feedback from the Summer Play Scheme 2013. 

RESOLVED

(a)       That the item be deferred; and

(b)       That the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.