Agenda item

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented thePlay Area Strategy Action Plan.

At a meeting of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 June 2024, the Members present considered a draft Play Area Strategy for South Kesteven. The Strategy was subsequently approved by the Cabinet on 9 July 2024.

It was recommended that the Committee endorsed the Plan as the principal document when determining the repair and maintenance of play areas. Furthermore, it recommended that the Committee agreed to receive a further update detailing the progress made against the actions identified in twelve months’ time.

One Member suggested renaming the document to identify the contents more specifically.

The matter was raised about installing swings at Queen Elizabeth Park in Grantham. The Member explained that funding was thought to be an issue, following discussions with officers. The Member queried whether the swings could be installed if the money was sourced from external sources, and where this sat within the confines of the Action Plan. The officer recommended prioritising the current play areas before committing to additional responsibilities, however the strategy would develop over time. Another Member noted that there were also nearby parks with swings.

A Member raised the matter of Item 18, Appendix 1 of the report – the Lonsdale Road Stamford site, which was graded as being a high priority. The site contained gym equipment, but no play equipment. However, since this decision in 2021, free-to-use gym equipment has been opened elsewhere in Stamford. Given that a larger play area existed elsewhere within the vicinity, it was not considered necessary to seek funds to add play equipment at this site. Therefore, the Cabinet Member for Planning allocated the monies to be used by Stamford Rugby Club which was more in-keeping with the monies original purpose.

One Member queried whether play areas across SKDC had been categorised and whether Members would be notified of the categories in their ward. The report had categorised the sites into low/medium/high priority.

Recognition was given to the Leisure, Parks and Open Spaces Team Leader for the support that they gave in securing the funding for the Beeden Park improvements. The Officer confirmed that the works were to start on 26 September 2024 and were estimated to last for 4-5 weeks.

The Ward Member for the item 16 site, Harrowby Lane – Grantham, raised this site as being in particularly bad condition. The request was made to elevate the priority grading to be ‘high’. The Leisure, Parks and Open Spaces Team Leader agreed to review this.

It was identified from Appendix 1 of the report that the lifespan of the equipment in many SKDC parks ran to 2029. A Member identified this as causing a potential issue in the future and asked if there was scope for more community involvement in the management of these play areas.

Following the discussion, it was proposed, seconded, and AGREED to:

1.    Endorse the Play Area Strategy Action Plan and for this to become the Council’s principal document when determining the repair and maintenance of play areas.

2.    To receive a further update detailing the progress made against the actions identified in twelve months’ time.