Agenda item

Play Provision: Children's Play Areas

Decision:

(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

Minutes:

The Head of Culture and Leisure introduced a report about Play Provision: Children’s Play Areas, which had been considered by Cabinet on 16 July 2013. He provided background information and advised that the report sought to identify sustainable provision from April 2014 with reference to the maintenance and upgrading of children’s play areas. The report also made recommendations about the criteria which would be applied to ensure investment was targeted where most needed.

Councillor A.I. Dunbar referred to the play areas condition survey which was appended to the report and asked if an updated record was available. Following discussion the Head of Culture and Leisure agreed to circulate a revised survey to the Committee which outlined the latest position. In response to the further question raised by Councillor Dunbar concerning the play scheme at Central Park the Head of Service agreed to provide a written response to him following the meeting.

Councillor D.I. Mackie referred to the investment programme for play areas which was published on the Authority’s website and asked that it be updated to reflect the investments made in 2011/12 and 2012/13.

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Waste & Recycling and Leisure, advised that due to limited funding available it was imperative that funding be directed at the areas of need identified by the condition survey.

Councillor C.A. Thomas expressed concern that unless Town and Community Councils availed themselves of match funding for play areas designated in need of urgent investment there was a risk that those areas could be decommissioned. She also asked that if any play areas were scheduled to be decommissioned that the Committee and Town and Community Councils be written to and consulted on the proposals. The Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Waste & Recycling and Leisure, acknowledged the concerns raised and advised that the Member for the Ward would be consulted on any proposals to decommission a play area within their Ward.

RESOLVED: