Agenda item

a)  That the future strategic direction for play as set out in the strategy be agreed.

b)  That the Assistant Director for Culture and Skills be authorised, following consultation with the Commissioner for Education and Children, to implement proposals to redesign play spaces as set out in section 6.7 of this report, subject to the outcome of consultation with the local community and Ward Councillors in the areas affected.

c)  Agree that implementation of the Council’s planning policy will reflect the principles and aspirations of the play strategy.

d)  Note that delivery of the strategy is dependent on additional revenue and capital funding as set out in section 4.1ff, which will be considered as part of the Council’s annual Medium Term Financial Strategy process.

The Cabinet considered a report detailing the proposal for the Council’s Play Strategy for 2011-2014, which set out plans to make further improvements to the network in order to ensure that high quality play provision would be sustainable.  The Cabinet was informed that there were 75 play areas within the borough which were maintained by the Council.  Audits had shown that play areas were well distributed across the Borough however differed greatly in condition and quality.  It was noted that it should be a priority to introduce more frequent inspections and maintenance visits in order to help maintain all parks to a good standard.  The Cabinet was informed that a one off sum of £50,000 was required for four parks to be improved up to standard, in addition to a further £150,000 for 16 sites which would be redesigned to improve the quality of play, in consultation with local communities.

In response to a question, the Cabinet was advised that the proposed consultation would be likely to mirror that carried out for previous play areas, which included leaflet drops and displaying the proposed design at a manned marquee.

Resolved:

a)  That the future strategic direction for play as set out in the strategy be agreed.

b)  That the Assistant Director for Culture and Skills be authorised, following consultation with the Commissioner for Education and Children, to implement proposals to redesign play spaces as set out in section 6.7 of the report, subject to the outcome of consultation with the local community and Ward Councillors in the areas affected.

c)  That implementation of the Council’s planning policy will reflect the principles and aspirations of the play strategy.

d)  That delivery of the strategy be dependent on additional revenue and capital funding as set out in section 4.1ff of the report, which will be considered as part of the Council’s annual Medium Term Financial Strategy process.