Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Kevin Jones introduced the Outline Plan for Play Areas and All Weather Pitch Capital Expenditure report which was based on need. 

                        The Council Fund Capital Programme had approved amounts for future expenditure on play areas and all weather pitches which was in addition to the £0.105m revenue per annum for play area match funding schemes.

                        The Council had a number of all weather sports pitches in the County that were in need of significant investment.  Those at Mold Alun and Hawarden were both over 10 years old and were the highest priority to replace.  The six pitches at Deeside Leisure Centre were 7 years old, received significant use and generated substantial income.  Their original anticipated lifespan and payback period for investment was 7 years so a replacement programme was needed.

                        Following an independent play survey for play areas the proposal for carrying out works in 2017/18 were for the following areas which would mean those play areas were no longer rated as red:

·         Min Awel,  Flint £0.025m;

·         Ffynnongroyw £0.025m;

·         Dee View Road, Connah’s Quay £0.025m; and

·         Bron y Wern, Bagillt £0.025m.

A priority for years 2 and 3 would be the play area at Bailey Hill which was a red rated play area and was being considered as part of a wider Heritage Lottery Fund development scheme although the scheme was not eligible to fund the play area.  The remaining priority areas for years 2 and 3 were the other red rated play areas which were outlined in the report.

Based on the needs and priorities outlined in the report it was proposed that subject to final costings the initial programme that was considered feasible for 2017/18 was as follows:

Mold Alun High School all weather pitch;

Hawarden High School all weather pitch;

Deeside Leisure Centre all weather pitches 1 and 2;

Bron y Wern play area, Bagillt;

Min Awel play area, Flint;

Ffynnongroyw play area; and

Dee View Road, Connah’s Quay.

That would leave the remaining all weather pitches and play areas identified in the report as priorities for years 2 and 3 with agreement of a final plan each year being submitted to Cabinet.  The play area match funding scheme would aim to support any red rated play areas that could not be afforded within the overall scheme or if all could be afforded then the improvement of amber rated play areas would be supported.

Members welcomed the commitment given to play areas and all weather pitches, particularly the rolling scheme for replacement, based on priority, which would benefit schools and the wider communities throughout the County.

RESOLVED:

That the outline plan for capital expenditure on play areas and all weather pitches as outlined in the report be agreed.