Issue - meetings

The report seeks approval for the adoption of the Play Area Strategy and for its recommendations to be adopted as guidance for use by the Council when considering play area provision and refurbishment in the borough.   In addition, the report seeks to highlight that the play area strategy is aspirational and that there are financial implications for the Council in delivering the play area strategy, for which external funding will be required.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Executive:

1.            endorse the findings and recommendations of the Play Area Strategy and recommends to Council that the Play Area Strategy 2015-2024 be adopted;

2.            recognises and notes that the Play Area Strategy is aspirational and that there are financial implications for the Council to fully deliver the strategy, its recommendations and action plan; and

3.            acknowledges that the financial implications will be met by using funding received from developer contributions sought through the planning process such as PIC, CIL and s106 and also any available external grant funds for playground provision and refurbishment.

The Executive has:

1.            endorsed the findings and recommendations of the Play Area Strategy and RECOMMENDS to the COUNCIL that the Play Area Strategy 2015-2024 be adopted;

2.            recognised and noted that the Play Area Strategy is aspirational and that there are financial implications for the Council to fully deliver the strategy, its recommendations and action plan; and

3.            acknowledged that the financial implications will be met by using funding received from developer contributions sought through the planning process such as PIC, CIL and s106 and also any available external grant funds for playground provision and refurbishment.

[This item is recommended to the Council for approval and is not subject to the call-in procedure].

[Reason: to seek adoption of the Play Area Strategy as guidance for the Council when considering play area provision and refurbishment in the borough]

55.1    A Play Area Strategy for the Council has been produced by undertaking a complete review of play provision across the Borough (including Town and Parish Council owned sites) of all known playground, skatepark and multi-use games area (MUGA) sites.  The review involved measuring areas of formal and informal play space and comparing it to; Fields in Trust (FiT) Standards, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) assessments of play value and accessibility and lastly the estimated life expectancy of playground equipment.  

55.2    This information has been compiled to produce an up-to-date strategy with recommendations and an action plan enabling the Council to have a structured approach towards playground provision and refurbishment across the borough.   The strategy provides the evidence for sound reasoning and justification to use development gains from the planning process such as Planning Infrastructure Charge (PIC), Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 monies.

55.3    Whilst producing the play area strategy, the Council fully consulted with playground providers and the planning department in order to fully understand the levels of provision across the borough.  This year the Council has already completed three playground refurbishments; Phillips Memorial Park, Holloway Hill and Farnham Park Play Area.  Consultations took place for all three schemes using a range of communication channels including social media.  Each scheme received over 400 responses from local residents and park users who voted for their favourite design

55.4    Consultations on design options for the partial refurbishment of the Broadwater Park and Aarons Hill play areas have recently been completed and work is due to start on the refurbishment of these sites.  Furthermore the Council is also conducting a survey on the provision of play at Oast House Crescent and White Cottage Close, Farnham and Hale Reeds Open Space.

55.5    The Council has also implemented a phased signage improvement programme across all the boroughs play areas.  Phase one (32 play areas) has been completed and phase two (8 play areas) is in progress.  The signage has been designed to inform users; of the name of the play area, that the play area is managed by Waverley Borough Council, how to get in touch with the council and the ages of children the site is intended for.  Phase three will be implemented as part of the ongoing refurbishment programme.

55.6    The Council aims to provide clean and challenging play environments that are accessible for children of all abilities and ages to play together.   This enables children to play in a social environment where they will experience and learn about risk.   Clearly the Council aims to minimise risk and to not provide unsafe play opportunities but must balance this against the level of challenge provided.   All playgrounds managed by the Council will confirm to the relevant safety standards applicable and endorsed by RoSPA.

55.7    One of the main focuses of the play area strategy is to constantly seek to improve the play provision and environment of the playgrounds and skate parks directly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55