To consider the report from Shropshire Outdoor Partnerships Service Manager.  The report is attached, marked 6.

Contact: Deb Hughes on Tel. 01743 255057

The Outdoor Partnership Manager presented the report detailing Shropshire Council’s play provision and explained that Town and Parish Councils and schools also provided play opportunities in the area. 

The Committee noted that 52 play areas were managed by Shropshire Council and the equipment in these areas was checked every two weeks to ensure that it was safe to be used.  Members noted that efficiencies within the service area had led to challenges in balancing play area maintenance against the wider focus on other parks and public open space maintenance.

The Outdoor Partnership Manager drew specific attention to the challenges that had been presented by moving from Section 106 funds [generally with specific provision to provide play areas within new housing developments over a certain size] to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that widened the range of community infrastructure needs as detailed in the 18 Place Plans in the county; this competing demand on the use of CIL had so far resulted in no funds being allocated towards any new play facilities.  It was recognised that local communities could potentially use some of their CIL funds to facilitate new or updated play area provision.

Members noted the budget constraints of the Ringway grounds maintenance contract and a repairs and infrastructure budget that was used for the maintenance of 18 countryside heritage sites and 103 local parks and green spaces with one third of the latter budget being used for tree safety works. The reducing amount of Section 106 maintenance money was being used to cover maintenance works and, as this diminished, additional pressure would be put on the Service infrastructure and maintenance budgets to meet the current checks and maintenance standards.

The Director of Commissioning stressed that, although the report focussed on Shropshire Council’s own direct provision of play area, the Council was not the only provider.  He explained that discussions were ongoing with local Parish and Town Councils to establish whether they may be interested in taking on any sites in their area and their ongoing maintenance.   He added that discussions with Ringway were also ongoing but any changes to the contract that may be pursued would have an impact on the contract price.

The Team Leader Planning and Economic Policy explained the use of Place Plans as a mechanism for infrastructure priority planning and investment.  Members noted that CIL funding was normally used for capital investment in infrastructure but queried whether its use as revenue funding could be tested.    The application and use of CIL funding was noted.

Some debate ensued regarding the ownership and ongoing maintenance of play areas in the county and Members agreed that a full list of all the play areas would be useful whether or not they were maintained by Shropshire Council.  The input of Members with their local knowledge would constitute a valuable part of this process of identification of need and an audit of provision in their local areas.

A Member commented that local need and local provision needed to be considered in tandem.  It was agreed that capturing local priorities in the development of Place Plans was essential.  It was recognised new sites developed in future needed to accommodate the needs of all, be innovative in design and be designed with the community using it in mind i.e. to meet the local need.

On the invitation of the Chairman, Mr David Kilby commented that the interpretation of ‘play’ was vital and he stressed the importance of designing play into new development not solely into play areas but as part of the whole design process.  The merits of ‘designing in’ from the start was of great interest to public health which considered the benefits of play in its wider sense and links in tackling obesity.  The Chairman re-iterated the benefits of play in tackling childhood obesity.

Members agreed that the development of a Play Strategy should be pursued but recognised the constraints within the service area to undertake the necessary work.  The Director of Commissioning commented that ‘collaboration’ was key in the development of a Strategy and resources would need to be pulled in to help collate the information for inclusion in the Strategy. It was understood that the input of Members at a local level would add valuable support to its development.

RESOLVED

i)                That the value of play areas and public open space provision and the benefits they afford local communities be recognised;

ii)            That consideration be given  to how Shropshire Council can best support local communities to use CIL monies to support investment in new play facilities identified within the 18 area Place Plans;

iii)           That an update be provided to a future meeting of the Committee on the development of a Play Strategy and how this can be achieved.