To receive a report from the Head of Housing and Property Services providing Members with an update on consultation with Town and Parish Councils regarding play areas identified for potential closure. The report informs Members of the options and restrictions to be considered when identifying play areas for closure, and identifies play areas for closure.
Minutes:
The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Housing and Property Services providing Members with an update on consultation with Town and Parish Councils regarding play areas identified for potential closure. The report informed Members of the options and restrictions to be considered when identifying play areas for closure, and identified play areas for closure.
The Open Spaces Manager informed the Group that a report had been brought to it on 22 September 2015 to update Members on the consultation with Town and Parish Councils regarding the future provision of play areas, and offering them the opportunity to take them over.
As a result of that report, the Group had requested that officers highlight any issues that may affect the closure of the play areas identified and make recommendations.
Officers had carried out a search on each of the play areas to identify any restrictions that have been placed onto the sites considered for closure.
The annual play area condition survey was carried out in October which categorised the condition of each piece of play equipment, surfacing and fencing; this allowed sites in poor condition to be easily identified.
The Open Spaces Manager explained that the report contained a recommendation for each of the play areas that had been identified for potential closure, as follows:
Close – the play areas in this category were not currently equipped, the play equipment was beyond repair, or the closures were in agreement with the relevant Town or Parish Council.
Managed decline – these play areas had been considered for closure, however the equipment was still in a usable condition. Items in these play areas were considered too good to remove at present. They would be inspected to ensure that they are safe to use, but would not receive maintenance. The equipment would be removed at a time when it became beyond economic repair.
Remain open – these play areas would receive regular inspections and maintenance.
The Officer indicated on maps the play areas proposed for closure and their proximity to other play areas.
Discussion took place regarding:
· The cost of decommissioning equipment;
· What was meant by an open space;
· The purpose of managed decline;
· The possibility of planting wild flowers in decommissioned areas;
· The recommended managed decline of play areas which had received a number of responses during the consultation period and the need for Town and Parish Councils to work with the authority regarding this;
· Tiverton Town Council and other Parish Councils had offered to make a financial contribution to the running of play areas in their area;
· The need for officers to meet with Willand Parish Council as soon as possible to clarify an agreement regarding play areas in the village.
It was RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet:
a) Approve the recommendations within Annex 2 of the report;
(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr D R Coren)
b) That the contributions from Town and Parish Councils towards the running and maintenance cost be noted;
(Proposed by Cllr D R Coren and seconded by Cllr R Evans)
c) That the Head of Housing and Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, be given delegated authority to negotiate acceptable terms for the transfer of selected play area in Willand to the Parish Council by the end of December 2015.
(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr Mrs C P Daw)
Note: - i) * Report previously circulated and attached to signed Minutes.
ii) Cllr R Wright declared an interest as he owned land which lay to either side of a play area in Crediton.
iii) A proposal to remove play areas in Cullompton from the managed declined list was not supported.
iv) Cllr N Woollatt requested that her vote against the decision in (a) be recorded.
Supporting documents: