Agenda item

That the approach outlined to sustaining play activity in the County be supported

The Chairman welcomed Janet Roberts, Play Development Officer and  Alan Roberts, Public Open Space Manager, to the meeting.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) provided background information and gave a progress update.  He reported on the Council’s commitment to sustaining play activity in the County through continuation of the revenue match funding for play areas and provisional allocation of capital funding through the capital programme to refurbish play areas and synthetic pitches.  He advised that the Council would continue to maintain all play areas during 2017/18 and that one year of transition funding had been provided to enable play schemes to continue during 2016/17 after the cessation of the Welsh Government Grant from Families First. 

 The Chief Officer referred to discussions with Town and Community Councils around the need for sustainability of provision without funding and explained that the Cabinet, at its meeting on 17 January, would consider a proposal for one off support of an additional £40k to play schemes in 2017/18 to enable as many schemes as possible to be sustained going forward.    The Chief Officer also explained that it had been agreed to re-establish the Flintshire Strategic Play Forum to co-ordinate play activity across the County. 

The Play Development Officer took the opportunity to thank Members for supporting the play scheme programme and the agreement to re-invigorate the Flintshire Strategic Play Forum.

Councillor Robin Guest asked if the Committee could be provided with an update on the condition survey of equipped children’s play areas.  It was agreed that the Public Open Space Manager would provide a copy of the report for circulation to Members.   Councillor Guest also commented on the need for Town and Community Councils to be informed as early as possible, and at least by end of December, of the Council’s funding position to assist Town and Community Councils in their budget setting process. 

Councillor Aaron Shotton spoke of the Council’s commitment to sustain play activity in general in the County and welcomed the one-off support of an additional £40k funding made available through the Council’s capital programme to continue provision of play areas and schemes in 2017/18.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas commented on the need for regular maintenance of play areas and recreation areas and the importance of formal and informal play.   She referred to the match-funding scheme for maintaining play areas and said just one item of new play equipment for each play area would make a significant difference to each community.   

During discussion Members sought clarification on the increased cost of providing play schemes to Town and Community Councils.   Officers provided figures on the increase in cost per play scheme to Town and Community Councils without the additional £40k contribution from the Council and the reduced cost and net impact as a result of the contribution. 

In response to a question from Councillor Andy Dunbbobin concerning the ‘no ball games’ restriction placed on some open spaces, the  Play Development Officer explained that the removal of notices was being carefully considered in consultation with the relevant local communities.   

The Chief Executive and Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) concluded that the Capital Programme would be going to Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet, and Council over the next few weeks.  The £40k being put in for 2017/18 would not be sustainable for the future, but participation in the Play Scheme and the series of schemes which promotes the roles of Town and Community Councils. 

RESOLVED:

That the approach outlined to sustaining play activity in the County be supported