EASTLEIGH BOROUGH COUNCIL
PLAY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN
2007-2017
LET'S GO PLAY…..
Contents
Summary
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What is Play?
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Eastleigh Play Partners
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The Aim and Values of the Strategy
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Why Play is Important
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Every child matters and good outcomes for children and young people
Enjoying and achieving
Being healthy
Staying safe
Making a positive contribution
Economic well-being
Children want and need a good range of places to play
The need to provide challenges and manage risk
What is a play area?
Use of our play areas
How this Strategy Links to the Wider Agenda
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Links to other strategies and plans
Eastleigh locality children’s partnership
Eastleigh youth forum and Eastleigh youth council
The report of the Urban Greenspaces task force
Parks and Green Spaces Strategy
Commitment to Quality and Inclusion
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Access and inclusion
Standards for supervised provision
Training
Standards for open space and play areas
Appropriate siting of play areas
How new play areas are provided in the Borough of Eastleigh
Actively Involving Children and Young People in Consultation
and Decision Making
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Benefits for organisation/agencies when they developing and supporting play
Benefits for children and young people
Benefits for the wider community
Shared values for involving children and young people in consultation
How the consultation was carried out
Key Issues from our consultation
What we know at the moment
Criteria for prioritising action and resources
Our priorities area for increased access
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Performance Management and Evaluation
ƒ Main indicators
ƒ Additional supporting indicator
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Action Plan – Priorities for 2007 - 2017
ƒ Sustaining the play partner infrastructure and existing provision
ƒ Increasing access and opportunities
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Appendix
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1. List of Play Areas in the Borough of Eastleigh
2. LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs
3. Eastleigh Borough Council Strategy for Equipped Play Areas
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SUMMARY
Play is not only a right for all children but also an essential part of their development,
culture and quality of life and their initiation into wider cultural and leisure experiences.
This Strategy is a long term plan i.e. 10 YEARS, developed with partners to ensure that our
children and young people aged up to 18 years old have access to more and better
inclusive play opportunities in the Borough. Particular focus should be given to 8-18 year
olds. This includes the support to enable children to play and have access to high quality
equipment. It is based on values of inclusion and good practice in provision.
Consultation with children and young people has helped to prioritise our plans for play
experiences and play environments. Eastleigh Borough Council is developing its
community engagement strategy and has adopted an Equality and Diversity strategy; both
of these place importance on identifying population groups for consultation (children and
young people are one group with many voices), informing them, listening and reporting
back.
In creating space and opportunities for children’s play, adults affirm the value of children in
our society. Children are entitled to special consideration in strategic planning because they
rely on adults in the social, economic and political spheres, to ensure that their views are
heard and taken into account. This strategy will show how children’s play needs and wishes
are to be interpreted and met within the Borough and it sets out play provision priorities.
This strategy covers all publicly accessible equipped play areas and green spaces within
the Borough of Eastleigh including those provided by the Town Council and Parish
Councils as well as by Eastleigh Borough Council. The strategy aims to provide officers
and Council Members with a wider understanding of the value of play and extent, type and
condition of play provision within the Borough to enable important decisions to be taken.
An action plan is included which identifies contributions from ‘Play Partners’ who come from
across all sectors and have a role in delivering the five outcomes for children as defined in
‘Every Child Matters’. The benefits of play help to achieve each outcome - being healthy,
staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and economic wellbeing (indirectly through social skills and directly through play employment).
WHAT IS PLAY?
Using play equipment, playing games, basketball, football, skating, BMX riding, dancing,
running around – tag, hopscotch – the list is endless………
Eastleigh endorses the following statements as central to our strategy:
Play is “what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas, in their own
way and for their own reasons”. DCMS play review ‘Getting Serious bout Play.’ 2006
‘Children and young people, regardless of the growing culture of game consoles and
sedentary lifestyles, want outdoor play, in the local park or playground, a skate ramp or ball
courts.’ Play England South East 2007
‘it is important to recognise the diversity, complexity and richness of children’s play.
Recognising this level of variety and complexity is helpful when planning for play as it helps
us to think beyond play equipment and kick-around pitches.’
Planning for Play, National Children’s Bureau/ Big lottery Fund 2006
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‘Play’ is not only a right for all children and young people but also an essential aspect of
their physical, emotional and social development, culture and quality of life and their
initiation into wider cultural and leisure experiences’.
The Right to Play under the UN Convention, and Children Act 2004
The Countryside and Recreation Unit of the Borough Council has co-ordinated the
development of this strategy, but is only one amongst many Council services and
organisations supporting and delivering play opportunities. The aims and objectives could
not be achieved without the active involvement of all key partners.
EASTLEIGH PLAY PARTNERS
Eastleigh Youth Council
Hampshire Children and Families Forum
Eastleigh Borough Council
- Countryside and Recreation
- Area Co-ordinators
- Regeneration and Planning Policy
- Housing
- Health and Community
- Community Safety
Town and Parish Councils
Pre-School Learning Alliance
Hampshire County Council Children’s Services
Hampshire County Council Youth Service
Hampshire County Council Early Education and Childcare Unit
THE AIM AND VALUES OF THE STRATEGY
The Aim of the Strategy is to:Assist the development and sustainability of a network of quality play opportunities in
Eastleigh Borough, identifying and prioritising areas for joint work. This plan is beginning to
bring together Council departments and others such as Hampshire County Council to work
more closely together on play.
Partners agree that the following principles are important and that they should underpin the
work of the strategy
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All children and young people have a need and a right to play
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A commitment to strong partnership working between agencies, networks and
the community to provide a co-ordinated and strategic approach to
development of play opportunities
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Children’s play should be free of charge, free to come and go; and free to
choose what to do (Best Play in Planning for Play). Regular monitoring of play
facilities.
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Children’s views about their play needs should be sought and given
appropriate consideration in shaping new and existing provision. Through POP
and training young people to mentor other young people. Also young people
involved on the steering group.
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Action should be taken to remove disabling barriers so that all children and
young people can have easy access to the widest possible range of play
experiences and play environments both inside and outside. Annual play
equipment and accessibility audit.
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Play environments should provide safe stimulating play opportunities that
place children at the centre of the play process. A variety of play experiences
should be offered recognising that children and young people have the need
for different kinds of play. Daily, quarterly and annual play inspections and results
from consultation with user groups and other partners
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Children need to encounter and learn to manage an acceptable level of risk in
their play. Education through POP and selection of appropriate equipment during
the design stage.
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Play work training is a key to the development of quality play and should be
accessible, adaptable and reflect good play work practice. It should involve a
significant fieldwork component. Education through POP scheme.
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Priorities should be based on needs assessment and consultation. Results
from consultation with users, local community and from the condition survey audit.
WHY PLAY IS IMPORTANT
Play is fundamental to children’s happy healthy development. The main benefits to
individual children from being able to play freely is in how satisfying it is and how much it
meets the needs of the child at the time. Play and free time activities are important to
children; they are seen as different from school and other organised activities and serve a
different purpose. Children who feel secure in their play can spend many hours occupied in
investigating and learning about themselves and the world around them.
‘Every Child Matters’ and ‘Good Outcomes for Children and Young People’
The enjoyment of play is recognised as an important outcome for children alongside being
healthy, staying safe, economic well being and making a positive contribution, as part and
parcel of the Every Child Matters agenda. The Children’s Play Council has outlined the
ways that play can contribute to the well being and good outcomes for children:-
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☺Enjoying and Achieving
The essence of play is enjoyment .When playing; children define their own goals and
interests, decide what is success and failure and pursue those goals in their own way.
Children’s enjoyment through play is linked to the control and choice they are able to
exercise. Giving children the chance for free, uninhibited play allows them a psychological
safe space in which to try out new roles and experiences and enhances their enjoyment of
life.
There are many developmental and experiential advantages associated with children’s
play-providing children also with the opportunities for achievement and enabling them to
reach their full potential. These include the development of problem solving and language
and literacy skills as children develop their social skills and express their emotions. Play is
also seen as important in the development of children’s imagination and creative interests
and abilities. Play allows children and young people to explore boundaries, be fully
absorbed in what they are doing and feel satisfied with what they have achieved.
☺Being Healthy
Play is crucial to health and development throughout childhood, contributing to social,
physical, intellectual, cultural, emotional and psychological development. The physical
activity involved in energetic play provides children with a significant amount of their regular
exercise. Research shows that school age children get more exercise in free play than
from most structured activity, excepting only P.E. Extended schools where free play is a
key part of the service , can have an important role in the play strategy. Early years and
childcare activities will be implemented through the Every Child matters framework.
Eastleigh’s Locality Partnership is the lead for this as a partner in Eastleigh’s Play Strategy.
‘Choosing Health’ (2004) sets out key principles for supporting the public to make healthier
and informed choices. Children and young people’s health issues include obesity and
mental well being, both of these can be tackled through improved and better play.
☺Staying Safe
One of the main reasons children give for not playing outdoors more is that they and their
parents are afraid for their safety. Fear of strangers, traffic and bullying by other children
combine to keep children in their own homes. Good play provision protects children through
reducing unacceptable levels of danger, while allowing them the opportunity to challenge
themselves and use their initiative. At the same time, play enables children to take risks, to
think through decisions and gain increased self confidence and resilience.
☺Making a Positive contribution
Children’s involvement in the development of their own play is fundamental. Children learn
from the way others and the environment react to their play, the effects of their actions and
the values others place on them. When there are no adults present, children will create and
make their own choices. In good supervised play provision, adults enable and support the
involvement of the children and young people in decisions about resources and facilities
that might be available to them.
Local Authorities and community groups are increasingly involving children and young
people in local play audits and discussions about their free–time needs. This results in
more appropriate provision, helps children and young people develop their skills and
knowledge and ensures they are valued as active members of the community.
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Respecting and incorporating children and young people’s views into plans and provision
helps develop motivation and potentially, participation in society and a sense of ownership.
☺Economic Well-Being
Good play provision enables parents to work or train and allows them to feel their children
are happy, safe and enjoying themselves. The creative and social skills that children
develop through play help them to develop lateral thinking and emotional intelligence that
are becoming, increasingly important in a fast-moving world.
Good play provision promotes community well-being and security. It brings economic
benefits through jobs and training, it offers genuine excitement and challenge to prevent
children and young people behaving in ways that are socially unacceptable. Development
of outside play and recreation spaces have shown to have a measurable impact on local
interaction, new friendships, community cohesion and community safety.
Children want and need a good range of places to play
Children’s play is rarely confined to one place; children play in their homes, at school, in
supervised provision, in parks, recreation grounds, green spaces, in the streets and
neighbourhoods close to their homes, in fact anywhere they are at the time. This needs to
be recognised in the design and provision of all elements of the public and domestic
environment from street design to housing provision.
Under the United Nations Convention (1991) on the rights of the child, “Children have a
legal right to play”. But it has long been recognised that the provision of play equipment in
our parks and green spaces gives benefit to children. Since at least 1884, play equipment
has been provided for children around the country.
In the past, most play would occur in the natural environment such as woodland, open
fields, farmland, derelict land, and also on the street, which is no longer an option. Over the
last 20-30 years there has been a big increase in residential and commercial development
with a knock-on effect that these ‘natural’ areas have been lost to major roads and
buildings. Even some playing fields and green spaces are being developed, leading to a
further reduction in available open space and opportunities for play.
The Government and local authorities have increasingly recognised that there must be
provision of adequate open space for recreational purposes – including play areas. Various
recent documents such as the Report of the Urban Parks Forum ‘Green Spaces, Better
Places’ and Planning Policy Guidance Note 17(PPG17), have established a basis for
determining the amount and quality of green space required The NPFA (National Playing
Fields Association) has also been a great campaigner on this matter and has revised and
re-published the advisory document ‘The Six Acre Standard’.
‘Natural play’ is the term used to describe the sort of environments that have sand and
water, rock pools, grassy slopes, boulders, den making, trees and flowers; these are often
the preferred choice of children. Sensory experiences, the creation of different surfaces,
landforms, elements and spatial settings help to make play a satisfying experience.
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For children and young people to make use of the best possible play and free-time
opportunities, they need to have places near their homes and schools where they can:
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Enjoy themselves and play with or without supervision from adults
Choose and take control of their own play activities
Play by themselves or with others
Experience varied and interesting environments
Challenge and extend the limits of their physical, mental, emotional or creative
abilities
Feel safe from environmental and human dangers.
Learn how to play.
These places can be indoors or outside, may or may not be specifically designed for
children’s play and may be staffed or un-staffed. The essential elements are that there are
a number of such places in any locality, that they are accessible and available to all
children who might want to use them. There should be sufficient variety to ensure plenty of
opportunity to satisfy the play and free-time needs of children of different ages, abilities,
cultures and with different home and family backgrounds.
Even where there are good play opportunities, children and young people can only enjoy
them if their parents and carers allow them the freedom to play away from their homes and
the community allow them to equally share in and use all kinds of public spaces.
The Need to Provide Challenges and Manage Risk
Play and safety experts agree that there is currently a tendency for providers to minimise
accidents and injuries of any kind, at the expense of play environments that offer real
challenge and enjoyment. This is a poor use of resources, and as such these ‘sterile’
facilities will tend to be under used or abused.
The effect is to stop children from enjoying a healthy range of play opportunities, limiting
their enjoyment and causing potentially damaging consequences for their development.
The partners endorsed the principles that state;
Action should be taken to remove disabling barriers so that all children and young people
can have easy access to the widest possible range of play experiences and play
environments both inside and outside
And
Children need and want to take risks when they play. Play provision aims to respond to
these needs and wishes by offering children stimulating, challenging environments for
exploring and developing their abilities. In doing this, play provision aims to manage the
level of risk so that children are not exposed to unacceptable risks of death or serious
injury.
From Managing Risk in Play Provision, Play Safety Forum 2002
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What is a play area?
There is a lot of confusion about this; some people consider a play area as ‘a bit of grass
where kids can play’. This is not an incorrect statement, but for the majority of us we tend to
think of a play area as being an area with some swings, a slide and a couple of wobbly
things on springs for little children. Again, not incorrect, but what about the older children
and young people? So, to set the record straight and for the purpose of this Strategy, we
have defined a play area as:
An area of public open space set aside for use by
children and for young people, where equipment has
been provided for their use and enjoyment
The Association of Public Service Excellence Performance Indicators for Play Area and
Public Open Space for free play
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The recommended minimum area for a play ground is 1.35 Hectares per 1000
children; In Eastleigh the average size of a play ground is 2.82 hectares but
nationally the average is 3.32 hectares per 1000 children.
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The recommended minimum area for Parks and Open Spaces (maintained land) is
2.84 Hectares per 1000 population. In Eastleigh the average is 3.78 hectares of
parks and open spaces. Nationally the average is 4.13 hectares per 1000
population.
Use of Our Play Areas
It is very difficult to quantify the numbers and types of users of our play areas without
physically monitoring every site. However, officers can assess the popularity of each site
through a combination of general wear and tear of the equipment and surfacing, locality,
and play value of the equipment. Generally, parents and their children will use the most
accessible play area, nearest to their homes, if it provides the right range and quality of
play experiences. So the popularity of a play area also depends on local demographics i.e.
how many children of different ages there are within the catchment area of the play area.
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SUMMARY STATEMENT
Children need and want to take risks when they play. Play provision
aims to respond to these needs and wishes by offering children
stimulating, challenging environments for exploring and developing
their abilities. In doing this, play provision aims to manage the level
of risk so that children are not exposed to unacceptable risks of
death or serious injury.
Managing Risk in Play Provision: A Position Statement, Play Safety
Forum (2003).
HOW THIS STRATEGY LINKS TO THE WIDER LOCAL AGENDA FOR CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE
Links to Other Strategies and Plans (Nationally and Locally)
Nationally the government and specialist practitioners have continually been concerned
about the reduced levels of physical activity amongst both adults and more importantly
children and young people.
In the governments white paper Choosing Health (2004) it was highlighted that ‘’Many
children appear to have less time being physically active … because of the increase in car
use and heightened concern about the potential of unsupervised play outdoors”. Another
report has cited that in 1970, 80% of primary school children walked to school; today it’s
less than 10%!
A recent study (Centre for Transport Studies, UCL, 2004) has shown there has been a shift
from unstructured events to structured events which has led to a decrease in children
walking as parents and guardians have tended to drive their children everywhere.
This Play Strategy sits within the Leisure Portfolio of the Borough Council. It has identified
actions linked to the work and plans of the following local authority departments, plans and
initiatives. This ultimately hopes to address this current trend for inactivity and other issues
regarding the decline of unsupervised free play.
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Biodiversity Strategy- Integrating natural play within woodlands and wildlife sites.
Sport and Recreation Strategy- fitness for all
Local Area Plans
Community Safety Strategy- safe areas to play and diversionary provision
Town and Parish Plans- advise on play provision and access to play in these areas.
Hampshire Early Years Education and Childcare Strategy
Hampshire Extended Schools Initiative
Eastleigh Housing Strategy- ensuring easy access to locally appropriate play
facilities
Eastleigh Transport Strategy- safe transport links for walking, cycling
Eastleigh Cycling Strategy- promotion and safe cycle routes
Eastleigh Parks and Green Spaces Strategy- encouraging increased use of these
areas and to provide a safe environment.
Eastleigh Health Action Plan 2006-2009- help tackle obesity increase active lifestyle
Eastleigh Strategy for Children and Young People 2005-2008
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These contribute to the joint efforts being focused on good outcomes for children by the key
overarching strategies namely
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The Local Strategic Partnership’s Community Strategy
The Local Development Framework
The Hampshire Children and Young Peoples Plan
This joint work is further focused through the joint health targets in the Local Public Service
Area Agreement (Local Area Agreement Target 10) which is aimed at the reduction of
childhood obesity.
Eastleigh Locality Children’s Partnership
The Borough has a Children and Young Peoples’ Locality Children’s Partnership. This
Partnership is developing as the key interface between local work and policy and acts as
the primary reference group on children and young people’s issues for all of the major
Borough and County Plans.
The Locality Partnership brings together different parts of the local system including those
involved in developing play. The Partnership seeks to achieve the best outcomes for
children in the Borough by improving information sharing, adding value to developments
and the delivery of services and giving a cohesive, co-ordinated input into all plans policy
and strategy for children and young people.
Eastleigh Youth Forum and Eastleigh Youth Council
The Eastleigh Youth Forum and Eastleigh Youth Council are established voices of young
people in the Borough with representation on the Eastleigh Strategic Partnership to ensure
the needs of Children and Young People are considered in the widest context of community
planning.
The success of our efforts to provide safe, accessible play opportunities for all children and
young people to enjoy will be measured as part of the Hampshire County Council Joint
Area Review of Children’s Services.
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The report of the Urban Greenspaces Task Force
‘Green Spaces Better Places’ (DTLR 2002) has identified that there has been a major
decline nationally in the provision, quality and maintenance of parks and green spaces.
This has been mainly due to the lack of investment across the country by local authorities.
This can be looked upon as being a vicious circle; poor maintenance, vandalism and
ageing facilities have given the perception that parks and green spaces are dangerous and
have become unwelcoming places for people of all age groups to visit. This lack of use by
responsible members of the community results in a loss of informal supervision and
therefore the only ‘visitors’ to the areas have been the ‘vandals’ and ‘undesirables’.
The Task Force commissioned a survey and focus group discussion with about 1,000
children and young people to find out more about their local spaces and the type of spaces
they wanted. From this survey it showed they are ‘put off’ by:
1)
Poor quality and badly maintained spaces
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broken or vandalised equipment
loose dogs and dog fouling
litter
graffiti
worn and eroded grass areas
Inadequate provision of facilities
o young people think there is a lack of sports provision and social facilities for
teenagers
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Unsafe and unwelcoming
Parental fear keeps children away from outdoor play, i.e. ‘stranger danger’ – in 1970
parents would allow a typical 9 year old to wander on average 840m from home whereas
today it tends not to be further than the garden gate! High on the list of children’s fears
are bullying, substance abuse (including alcohol), peer pressure, poor lighting and no
park keepers.
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Inaccessible
Poor location of facilities can make it difficult for children to reach their local open space,
i.e. distance, main roads, etc.
Parks and Green Spaces Strategy
This Strategy for Play Areas forms part of the wider Parks and Green Spaces Strategy,
which is currently being developed by officers from Countryside and Recreation Unit, Direct
Services and Regeneration and Planning Policy Unit.
PPG17 on Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation requires Local Authorities to carry out an
open space needs assessment and then consequently set local quality, quantity and
accessibility standards for different types of parks and green spaces – which include Play
Areas.
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As part of the Eastleigh assessment, 4000 randomly selected addresses in the Borough
were sent a questionnaire in 2003/4 asking residents their views, preferences, satisfaction
and concerns relating to green space and play provision. 783 replies were sent back from
adults and 144 from children and young people. One of the pleasing statistics which came
from the survey showed that 97% of young people (under 18 years of age), said they
regularly visited parks and green spaces, of which nearly 73% visited once a week or more.
Of this number 85% of children and young people said that the green space they mostly
used was 10 minutes or less walk away from home.
One of the top adult responses at 35% to why they used the parks and green space was to
take children to play. With 97% of children and young people stating the reason they use
parks and green spaces is to play or meet with friends. These statistics help reinforce the
need for good quality and well maintained parks and green spaces.
The results of these questionnaires have been used to help provide the means and
evidence base for reaching the following standard which the Borough Council adopted in its
Local Plan.
“The type of provision will be determined by local needs and as a standard should
• not be more than 300 metres from home for children up to 8 years old
• 600 metres for children up to 12 years old and 1000 metres for young people
up to 18 years old.
Due to the varying demographic spread of the population it is recommended that
these standards cover for at least 80% of children and young people”.
In view of the difficulty of providing play facilities for children whose needs and abilities
change as they grow older, this standard will be reassessed on a regular basis. A “needs
audit” and condition audit is carried out every three years, over and above the annual
independent safety inspection and condition survey.
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY AND INCLUSION
Access and Inclusion
Fundamentally all children are entitled to go out to play and feel included. Work is taking
place in the Borough to improve access to play and provide inclusive play environments.
However there are a range of factors that sometimes prevent equal outcomes, these
include:
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A shortage of play facilities, especially in some of the more rural parts of the
Borough. This is borne out by Association of Public Service Excellence Performance
Indicators for both hectares of open space per 1000 population and number of play
areas per 1000 children
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The cost and affordability and relevance of supervised activities highlighting the
need for more free open access provision
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Housing - Children living without immediate access to appropriate outside play
space e.g. First and second floor flats and children living in cramped temporary
accommodation
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Fear of crime, including bullying
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Environmental barriers that exclude children from play areas such as uneven
surfaces, busy roads, pavement parking, narrow gates, disabled toilets which do not
provide provision for personal care of older children who require changing facilities
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Social barriers and discriminatory attitudes that can be experienced by disabled
children or children from minority ethnic backgrounds
In order to overcome some of these barriers, the action plan for this strategy includes
specific work and actions to:
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Increase access to a range of free open access provision in identified areas through
targeted ‘Access to Play ‘ projects and initiatives’.
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Provide training to raise awareness and promote good practice e.g.
‘Every one Can Play ‘
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Increased support for out of school providers through the appointment of Inclusion
Co-ordinators by the Early Years Unit.
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Provide local input into the early years and child vulnerable children sub group.
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Promote good practice guidance around developing accessible play areas.
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Use population forecasts for assessing play requirements
Standards for Supervised Provision
The following range of other good practice guidance and standards will be promoted and
used by partners to maintain or improve and develop quality play opportunities
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National Standard for Day Care and Childminding relevant to childcare provision and
supervised activity schemes
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Quality Assurance Schemes – There are a range of relevant schemes for Out of
School, Early Years, Play schemes
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Hampshire County Council ‘Open Country Pursuits’ – policy and good practice
relevant to Out of School provision and Play schemes taking children off site.
Training
Play work training remains the cornerstone of developing good quality, accessible play
provision whether it is for staff or volunteers in childcare, supervised activities or ‘open
access’ activities. All clubs, communities, play schemes; play organisations and recreation
centres are encouraged to take up training for their staff and volunteers. Training and
professional development for Playworkers working in play projects with school aged
children are:
• Intermediate Certificate in Developing Skills Working With Children and Young
People
• Certificate in Playwork Level 2 or NVQ Playwork Level 2
• Diploma in Playwork Level 3 or NVQ Playwork level 3
• Early Years Care and Education Level 4
Professional Development Workshops
First Aid
Basic Child Protection
Advanced Child Protection
Behaviour Management
Every One Can Play
Health and Safety
Food Hygiene
And a variety of vocational non qualification based courses and activities.
Two part-time staff are currently funded by the Hampshire Early Years and Childcare Unit
to provide support and development in Eastleigh, based in the Health and Community
Team. The training available in the Borough continues to expand and is outlined in The
Hampshire Early Education and Childcare Unit, training and continuing professional
development program. This covers training for early years and projects for older children.
The training route actions outlined below are the ones linked to play projects for school age
children. There is a similar route and training for early year’s education. This can be found
as another part of the Hampshire County Early Years Development and Childcare Plan.
There is also a regular up date of courses published by Hampshire Early Education and
Childcare Unit in the termly Horizons Magazine, which is automatically sent to every
registered childcare provider. Representatives from the District are also involved in the
regional work of Playwork South East. This group supports the overall development of
Playwork training in our area.
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Standards for Green Space and Play Areas
There are no fixed guidelines on appropriate equipment or age ranges for groups of
children. All children are individuals and develop at different rates physically and mentally,
though there are commonly accepted developmental phases. The following are the
generally accepted age groups and some equipment typically appropriate to those groups.
These lists are not prescriptive by any means.
Toddler
Junior
Youth
Up to 8 year olds
9 -12 year olds
13 -18 year olds
Toddler equipment: Swings (both cradle and flat seats), slides, roundabouts, spring items predominantly colourful and moving equipment.
Junior equipment: Swings (flat seats), climbing equipment (nets, frames, etc), rotating
equipment such as spinners, challenging equipment such as aerial runways, more
physically and mentally demanding varieties of the toddler equipment are also suitable.
Youth equipment: Meeting points (shelters), climbing walls, and kick about areas, wheeled
sports areas and basketball hoops. Recently new equipment has come onto the market
designed to provide an exciting and challenging play experience for this age group.
Notes:
Some equipment which is manufactured maybe suitable for more than one age group.
Each of the above requires different criteria when looking at the siting of the play area.
Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), consideration must now,
quite rightly, be given to children, young people and adults of all abilities, including the
physically disabled and those who might be hard of hearing, sight impaired or have learning
difficulties, autism, etc.
Under the DDA such aspects as access, lighting, gates, surfaces, notices and planting will
need to be taken into consideration. From 2004 providers of play provision have had to
take reasonable steps to address these points and to provide for inclusive play in the
design and selection of equipment. The Borough Council already requires that
consideration is given to the DDA in any design brief for new or refurbished play areas.
17
The Council has in place a performance standard for the management and maintenance of
its play areas and green spaces. Health and Safety issues are dealt with immediately to
ensure the area is safe and damaged or worn out equipment / parts are replaced within five
working days from delivery of components.
Appropriate siting of play areas
A very important factor in the quality and success of play area provision is the correct siting.
The following points should therefore be considered:
o Preferably a level site (easier to lay out and maintain)
o Adequately drained
o Located so as to be visible from neighbouring properties, but not adjacent to those
properties to cause a nuisance (informal observation and supervision to assist with
safety)
o Not too close to main roads, railway lines, or areas of high vehicle movement or
underneath power lines
o Within a safe walking distance from its target community, originally as per NPFA
guidelines (LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs – see below) but now to comply with the locally
set standard
o Accessible to all, regardless of ability
o Close to priority parking for disabled access
o Open, welcoming locations
o As close as feasibly possible to footpaths/cycle ways
o If on reclaimed land, the soil must be checked for toxicity.
How new play areas are provided in the Borough of Eastleigh
There are three main methods of providing equipped children’s play areas in the Borough:
(1)
Via Section 106 Agreements*
(2)
Provision funded through Local Area Committees via capital investment and
developers contributions
(3)
Other sources of funding
18
*Section 106 Agreements: Planning policy requires developers to provide land for
Public Open Space in proportion to the scale of the new development. Depending on
the size of the development this could include on-site provision of one or more
equipped play areas. In some circumstances the developer may be required to
provide for an off-site contribution either for a new play area or the refurbishment of
an existing play area within the immediate locality. The Local Plan to 2011 explains
this process in greater detail (165.OS and 166.OS).
ACTIVELY INVOLVING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN CONSULTATION AND
DECISION MAKING
The Partners involved in this strategy share agreed values for the future active involvement
of children and young people in the planning and development of their own play spaces
and play activities. The Council uses a range of consultation methods and opportunities
such as Family Fun Days, website questionnaires, displays in school halls, centres and
halls; and participation on other events such as healthy eating or diversity. Feedback to
children and young people about the effects of their involvement is prompt and clear and
followed through from consultation to seeing results from that consultation. Young people
often say that they have given their opinion and that nothing has changed, as they do not
always understand the issues of time and budget.
When Eastleigh Borough Council are redeveloping or constructing a new play area an ‘on
site’ consultation exercise is undertaken where children and young people are invited to
come and tell us what they would like to see in their new play area – lots of photos are
taken along to aid discussion. All information gained is used to draw up a design brief
which is then sent to appropriate play providers to develop a plan of the play area
incorporating the ideas and suggestions of the consultees. These are then presented to the
consultees to ultimately decide which scheme should be chosen to be installed as their new
play area. (Following being scored to check on compliance to the criteria in the design brief,
BSEN 1176 & BSEN1177 etc)
19
Improving and successfully developing local play opportunities depend in part on:
•
•
•
•
•
•
knowing about local children and their needs and aspirations for play
what play opportunities exist for them now
what support currently exists for play development
what potential exists for developing better play opportunities
what parents’ needs are in relation to their children’s free time activities.
what condition the facilities are in
In order to find out some of these issues, an audit of current play provision and consultation
as part of the Parks and Green spaces strategy was carried out between 2004 and 2007
which involved representation from a range of key partners involved in supporting play and
residents (children and adults) of the Borough. This Consultation has given the main steer
for the values, principals and policy of this Strategy. From that time the consultation
process has been on going through locality working groups.
Benefits of Consultation
Benefits for organisations/agencies when they are developing and supporting play
•
Information can be gained from children and young people as citizens and
customers about their changing attitudes and needs, their views as to what
constitutes quality in service provision and barriers to accessing services
•
Children and young people can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas about
services, policies and democratic processes, helping tackle key objectives and
promoting social inclusion.
•
Services and policies can be designed, delivered and evaluated based on actual
rather than presumed need. This saves money.
Benefits for children and young people
•
Children and young people can build on existing skills and develop new ones,
increasing confidence and self esteem.
•
Children and young people may better understand organisations and how to
influence them.
•
Children and young people benefit from new and better services that are more
responsive to their needs.
Benefits for the wider Community
•
There is a more vibrant local democracy through the active involvement of children
and young people.
•
Community cohesion is fostered through the inclusion of children and young people
in local decision making
20
•
There is an empowering environment that raises aspirations among children and
young people and the wider community
Shared Values for Involving Children and Young People in Consultation
•
•
Children and Young People’s participation is a visible commitment that is properly
resourced.
-
There is visible commitment to the principles and practice from senior
managers, elected members or trustees.
-
Participation is built into the organisation and is reflected in its strategic
planning, services, resources and communication
-
Relevant staff, elected members or trustees have the opportunity to develop
the attitudes and skills to work effectively with children and young people.
Children and Young People’s involvement is valued
- Children and young people are treated honestly and their
contributions are taken seriously
-
•
•
Children and young people’s participation is celebrated
Children and young people have an equal opportunity to participate
-
All children and young people have a right to participate in the decisions that
affect them
-
Children and young people feel welcome and valued and are not
discriminated against or prevented from participating on grounds of ethnic
origin, language, religion, culture, disability, age, gender, sexuality or location
-
Care and time is taken to go the extra mile to ensure children and young
people facing greatest barriers to getting involved are aware of and can take
up opportunities to have their say
-
Information is available to children and young people in good time and is
accessible, jargon free and culturally appropriate
Policies and standards for the participation of children and young people are in
place, evaluated and improved
-
What the organisation is trying to achieve and the intended benefits are clear
from the start
-
Children and young people evaluate the process and changes that result from
their points of view and help apply lessons learned
-
There are agreed quality standards and codes of conduct for working with
children and young people to ensure their participation is safe and sound
21
How the consultation was carried out:
Consultation has been undertaken in a number of ways•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
An article in the Borough News
Parks and Green Spaces questionnaire
A Questionnaire on the Council website
Questionnaires to Town and Parish Councils
On site events surveys
Honey Pot Play Bus
Questionnaires disseminated by a variety of partners and local organisations
A separate questionnaire, as part of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy,
specifically aimed at children and young people which went out to 4000 random
addresses in the Borough.
Some of the questions we asked were:
•
•
•
•
•
•
What play areas do you use?
How often do you go to a play area?
What do you like or dislike about the play area?
Is there anywhere which you feel we should look at providing a play / youth area?
What equipment would you like to see in a play / youth area?
Satisfactions with the Borough’s play areas.
Key Issues resulting from our consultation:
Equal first in the top ten recommendations by both adults (10.67%) and children and young
people (18.69%) for improvements to parks and green spaces was quality and variety of
play equipment to provide for the whole spectrum of age ranges and abilities.
As part of this strategy and linking with the parks and green spaces strategy the Borough
Council and its partners should aim to provide play equipment to meet the needs of all age
ranges and abilities within each district park so that each community has appropriate play
facilities within a 15 minute walk from home. It is also interesting to note that the children
and young people recognised the need for additional sports facilities which include football
goals, basketball rings, skate parks including sports pitches and pavilions. This clearly links
with the Borough’s sports and recreation strategy which is due for review in 2008.
56.9% of adults and 64.5% of children and young people rated the standard of the
Borough’s play areas as being good.
Likes:
•
•
•
•
•
Improved variety of equipment. – in new and refurbished play areas
Play areas developed to cover all age ranges including teenagers
Reduction in youth nuisance through provision of young peoples areas
Cleanliness of some of the play areas
Improved access and equipment for all abilities
12.9% of adult and 14.5% of children and young people rated the Borough’s play areas as
being poor.
22
Dislikes:
• Vandalism and graffiti
• Range of unchallenging equipment
• Uninspiring, poorly maintained areas
• Dislike for the age and variety of some of the equipment
• Distance from ‘home’ to reach a good quality play area
(A fair rating of 30.2% by adults and 21% by children and young people was given to the
Borough’s play areas.)
What we know at the moment
The body of audit information available is steadily growing. At present it includes Parish,
Ward, Super Output Areas and population statistics; and existing play area and green
space information. Super Output Areas (SOAs) are new geographical areas for the
collection and publication of small area statistics. SOAs avoid the problems caused by the
inconsistent and unstable electoral ward geography. They are better for statistical
comparison as they are of much more consistent size and each layer has a specified
minimum population to avoid the risk of data disclosure (releasing data that could be traced
to individuals). SOAs will not be subject to frequent boundary change, so are more suitable
for comparison over time. In addition they will build on the existing availability of data for
SOAs. Although wards have been used until now, they are of inconsistent size across the
country - from fewer than 100 residents to over 30,000! This makes them poor for national
comparison, and some of them are too small to release data without being disclosive. In
addition wards are subject to periodic boundary change (for electoral purposes), which
makes them poor for comparing data over time.
The green spaces and play area elements are currently being updated through the audit for
the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy, so up dated information is being assimilated.
In the Borough there are:
2 Country ParksItchen Valley Country Park 178 hectares
And
Lakeside 24 hectares
173 hectares of heath, woodland and forest managed by the Borough
28 hectares of recreation grounds and playing fields including open spaces
1.9 hectares of Formal Park: Leigh Road Recreation Ground which is 1.4 hectares and
Glebe Meadow 0.5 hectares
87 designated fixed equipment children’s play areas in the Borough, of which 45 are
managed by the Borough
It must be noted that through new development in the Borough new parks and open spaces
are continually being added to the above list. For example Dowds Farm District Park (6
hectares) will be adopted by the Borough Council within the next 2 to 3 years.
23
One other park which has recently been adopted from developers and is managed by Fair
Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council is Knowle Park. It is envisaged that this will have a
small skate facility which will be built this year (2007/8) and a play area to be completed by
the end of 2008, following extensive consultation with local young users and the community
which will be hopefully funded through the BIG Lottery Children’s Play programme.
Through recent negotiations with developers on land known as South Street, under a
Section 106 agreement a new young people’s area and new play area to replace the
existing Monks Way play area will be created. The exact requirements will be subject to
consultation with the local community and the users of the miniature railway running around
the Lakeside Country Park which it also serves.
2 Hampshire County Council Country Parks:
The Royal Victoria Country Park, 81 hectares
and
Manor Farm Country Park, 162 hectares
36 Pre Schools and 42 Toddler Groups
3 Children’s Centres are planned.
A strong voluntary and community infrastructure involved in delivering, developing and
supporting play
16 Ofsted registered Out of School Childcare clubs offering a range of after school, holiday
and breakfast care
4 Out of school play based activity clubs
A variety of Dance, Youth and Sports Clubs; and Uniformed groups.
There are pockets of disadvantage both in terms of geographical barriers to accessing
services and children living in low income households.
A population of 28,833 children and young people aged 0-19
Criteria for Prioritising Action and Resources
Meeting the needs of the varied and complex mix of rural and urban areas in the Borough
is a challenge in terms of policy and prioritisation.
Children and young people living in some areas of the Borough are disadvantaged by lack
of access to appropriate services or opportunities. The reasons vary. Some live in very
small rural settlements where opportunities to socialise other than at school are limited.
Relying on parents and carers for transport can lead to lost independence and spontaneity
and isolation. In other parts of the Borough the age profile of the population can lead to
tensions that are difficult to manage. There are also pockets of disadvantage resulting from
low income.
24
Over the years an infrastructure has built up that has the capability of supporting the
sustainable development needed to increase organised activities for these children. The
infrastructure is a partnership and interdependence between statutory and voluntary sector
organisations and relies on working closely with communities to increase the capacity they
have to sustain provision on a very local basis. The support of this broad infrastructure is
key to the success of the strategy.
The action plan section of the strategy has two elements:
•
Sustainability of the play partners infrastructure and existing provision
•
A focus on increasing access to a range of play opportunities and facilities for
children living in areas of greatest need. This has been determined by identifying
areas that have a combination of the following factors:
-
Children who have access to less than 3 types of good quality play
provision/ facilities within walking distance
-
High child population in urban areas combined with lack of facilities or poor
quality facilities.
-
Low child population in rural areas combined with lack of opportunities to
socialise informally without adult assistance with transport.
-
Quality of other local open space including access to woods, heath land and forest.
Our Priority Areas for Increased Access
The following 11 areas have been identified as priorities for improvement through the
consultation process.
Partners have agreed to joint working to improve access to play in these areas, across a
range of provision, for example schemes and events such as Green spaces and play
areas, and Early Years Provision including Children’s Centres.
Areas known locally as
SOA
Fleming Park
006E
Knowle Park
008F
Stoke Park Woods (Hardings Lane)
005C
Assisted Play Schemes
Key issues from the
consultation
Uninspiring, non challenging,
limited user range, restricted
access.
No current play provision in this
area. New park currently under
construction
Unstructured natural play
provision providing opportunities
for young people to work with
partners to design and build their
own facilities using natural
materials.
Educating parents and children on
benefits of play as well as how to
play.
25
Leigh Road
007A
Grantham Green
006A
Otter Close
005A
Monks Way
006B
Lawn Road
Hackworth Gardens
004D
010C
Norman Rodaway
012E
Condition and lack of variety does
not cater for all ages and abilities.
Lack of challenge and does not
cater for all ages and abilities.
Condition and lack of variety and
does not cater for all ages and
abilities.
Condition and lack of variety and
does not cater for all ages and
abilities.
Development of green space
To link in with new Dowds Farm
district park.
Condition, variety and
accessibility.
It is envisaged that over the life of this strategy (10 years) through consultations and user
surveys other priorities will emerge.
For children and young people to make use of the best possible play and free-time
opportunities, they need to have places near their homes and schools where they can:
-
Enjoy themselves and play with or without supervision from adults
Choose and take control of their own play activities
Play by themselves or with others
Experience varied and interesting environments
Challenge and extend the limits of their physical, mental, emotional or creative
abilities
Feel safe from environmental and human dangers.
The reasons why the first 4 areas were chosen were through the information gained from
the play survey and desires of other Play Partners.
This included a provision of a new Play Area in a new Park in an area which does not
currently have a play area.
To increase play value and accessibility for children and young people in an area with a
high percentage of disadvantaged children, comprising of social housing.
Provision of natural play in woodlands already being used by children and young people.
Also the ability to promote our play areas through events and fun days.
Outcomes from this Strategy:
From all the work we have done in the consultation and drawing together of this Play
Strategy we have arrived at what we feel to be six main outcomes. These should cover all
projects and the portfolio of projects which will be submitted for a bid to the BIG Lottery
Play Programme.
1) Providing good quality, free play spaces in the areas of greatest identified need.
2) Increased community involvement in the use and care of local play spaces.
3) More children and young people will take part in a wider range of challenging,
exciting, inclusive and accessible play experiences.
26
4) Children and young people will acquire greater social skills and respect for others
and their environment through play.
5) Children and young people will develop greater well being through play – healthy
growth, body active, fitness and creativity.
6) All members of the Eastleigh Play Partnership to continue to work together for the
promotion and benefit of play in the Borough as a whole with the ethos of the three
frees – free to come and go, free of charge and free to chose what to do.
MONITORING
As part of the Council’s commitment to this Play Strategy it is important that it is regularly
reviewed, to keep pace with the ever changing needs of the community as well as
legislation, funding streams and other opportunities.
With this in mind this strategy will be reviewed annually in the autumn months.
The action plan being a working document will be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Play
Area steering group consisting of Play Partners and young people. This will take into
account and evaluate the various performance data as well as any projects carried out
during the period of review.
These reviews will be reported back to cabinet members in an annual report in
December/January as part of the ongoing evaluation of the strategy and action plan.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION
Performance will be monitored through annual feedback to the Children and Young
Peoples Locality Partnership and Eastleigh Borough Council members.
Main Indicators
Indicator 1
Participation in outdoor play and informal
recreation
The percentage of children and young people
aged from birth to 16 who play out for at least
four hours each week
Indicator 2
Indicator 3
Access to a variety of facilities and spaces
The percentage of children and young people
from birth to 16 that have access to at least
three different types of space or facility, at
least one of which is a dedicated place for
informal recreation, which are all within easy
walking distance or cycling distance
Quality of facilities and spaces
The proportion of facilities and spaces
meeting the quality criteria with, for example
ratings of excellent, good, adequate or poor
Generation
School/household
survey
Generation
Parks and Green
Spaces strategy
GIS mapping
Generation
Daily visual / H &
S / cleanliness
inspections.
Quarterly
(engineering)
inspections and
an Independent
Annual Play Area
Inspection
27
Indicator 4
Satisfaction
The percentage of children and young people
who think that the range and quality of play
facilities and spaces they are able to access
in their neighbourhood is good/ very good
Additional Supporting Indicator
Indicator 5
Awareness/consultation
Extent to which attitudes have changed
towards the importance of creating and
sustaining opportunities for children to play
out in their own neighbourhood
Generation
Viewpoint survey
Generation
View Point
Panel
Action Plan – Priorities for 2007 - 2017
Section 1: Sustaining the Play Partner Infrastructure and existing provision
Funding the Development Infrastructure
In order to make sure that provision develops in an
appropriate and sustainable way and is of good quality it is
important that there is an infrastructure in place that includes
development worker support and training. The Partners in
this strategy are a key to providing this infrastructure.
Voluntary sector partners can face particular uncertainty and
difficulty in raising funds for their core running costs.
Supporting core costs for voluntary sector partners helps with
long term planning and levering in substantial funding that
statutory partners are unable to access.
Partners of the strategy sign up to the delivery of the
strategy and action plan by July 2007
Partners reflect on the impact of delivering the play
strategy when reviewing annual funding and resources.
EBC to
Co-ordinate
28
In particular the existing funding agreements for
Out of School Support
Mobile crèche to support play recruitment and
consultation
Future funding arrangements for supervised play
programme\ mobile play experiences e.g. A calendar of
play events at country parks and Children’s Centres
All Play
Partners
29
Quality
In order to increase quality and inclusion and promote good
practice in line with the strategy , our priorities are to:
Offer ongoing support and mentoring to ensure all
relevant schemes register with Ofsted. Target - 95% of
schemes reaching satisfactory or better by April 2009
Increase the number of Out of School providers gaining
accreditation to 40 % by April 2009
Adopt and introduce local standards for play space as
part of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy (Spaces for
Leisure Places to Treasure)
Early
Education and
Childcare Unit
EBC
Actively link play workers into relevant training through
field work and networking
EBC
Produce and distribute information training information
Horizons Magazine -Termly
Early
Education and
Childcare Unit
EBC
Provide a rolling programme of CDP courses
Borough Town and Parish Councils to ensure that
members of staff are trained in the maintenance and
management of equipped play areas such as those in
ROSPA/ RPII (Register of Play Inspector International)
Section 2: Increasing Access and Opportunities
Including Disabled Children
Lead
All children and young people should have easy access to
the widest possible range of play experiences and play
environments both inside and outside. Actions towards
removing barriers for disabled children will include
The development of a joint action plan for the Borough to Community
Work
improve access for children to leisure and recreational
Development
activities.
steering group
–HCC and
Hants PCT
Providing training on a regular basis to raise awareness
and promote good practice e.g. ‘ Everyone Can Play ‘
Early
Education and
Childcare Unit
30
Actively seek additional external funding to build or
pump prime new provision in identified areas through
the BIG Lottery play programme.
SOA
Knowle Park, Fair Oak
Fleming Park, Eastleigh
Stoke Park Woods, (Hardings Lane) Bishopstoke
008F
006E
005C
Eastleigh Borough Council has a strategy for equiped play areas in the Borough which has
been used to secure funding through the Council’s Capital Investment programme to help
refurbish existing play areas identified as coming to the end of there life expectancy.
The following points were identified as part of the Borough Council’s earlier Play Strategy
and should therefore, due to there importance, be included in the main part of this action
plan.
Improvements to service provision
In view of the success of the Eastleigh Local Area Playgroup and the positive start
made by Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury, Officers to look to set up a Playgroup for
each of the other local areas, in order to provide a forum to be able to improve and
take this service forward if requested. These will be set up for each individual project
as and when required.
Officers carry out a full condition audit of all of the play areas managed by Eastleigh
Borough Council every three years and report to the Local
Area Committees with recommendations and timescales.
(This should not be confused with an annual inspection
report which covers other issues as described.)These
audits will be carried out in 2008,2011,2014 and 2017
Promotion of equipped Play Areas
Officers to work with the Borough’s IT section to provide an easily accessible web
page on the EBC website, giving information and location
of play areas in the Borough. Monitoring and updating web
site annually.
Officers to work with the Borough’s Marketing department for an annual listing of all
sites within the Borough to be placed in The Borough News
along with informative articles throughout the year.
Annually.
Officers to investigate along with costs, the possibility of producing a leaflet
detailing all sites within the Borough. 2008/09
Play Area Provision Plans have been accessed through the GIS system and are used to
determine new provision of play areas.
31
32
Appendix 1
List of Play Areas in the Borough of Eastleigh
Site
Allbrook Hill
Aspen Close
Barnsland
Bartletts Field Recreation Ground
Botley Recreation Ground
Botley Recreation Ground
Butlocks Heath Recreation Ground
Butlocks Heath Recreation Ground
Campbell Road
Campbell Road
Carpathia Close
Castle Road Recreation Ground
Cox Row
Cunningham Gardens
Facility
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Play area (J)
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Youth area
Play area (J)
Play area (T)
Youth area
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T)
Play area (T/J)
BMX
Managed and Maintained By
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
West End Parish Council
Hamble Parish Council
Botley Parish Council
Botley Parish Council
Hound Parish Council
Hound Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hound Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Cunningham Gardens
Drummond Centre
Fleming Park
Fleming Park
Fleming Park
Fryern Recreation Ground
Fryern Recreation Ground
Glebe Meadow
Glebe Meadow
Grantham Green
Greta Park
Greta Park
Hackworth Gardens
Hatch Grange
Hiltingbury Recreation Ground
Hiltingbury Recreation Ground
Itchen Valley Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park
Kingston
Lawn Road
Lawn Road
Leigh Road Recreation Ground
Leigh Road Recreation Ground
Lincolns Valley
Little Hats Recreation Ground
Locke Road
Locke Road
Long Lane Recreation Ground
Long Lane Recreation Ground
Manor Farm Country Park
Market Street
Market Street North
Market Street South
Football
Play Area (T)
Youth area
Play area (T)
Play area (J)
Play area (T/J)
Youth area
Play area (T)
Youth area
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T/J)
Youth area/B-Ball
Play area (T)
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T/J)
Youth area
Play area (T)
Play trail (J)
Football
Football
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T)
Youth area
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T)
Play area (T/J)
Basketball
Play area (T/J)
Youth area
Play area
Football
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
(managed by DC Leisure Ltd)
(managed by DC Leisure Ltd)
(managed by DC Leisure Ltd)
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Hedge End Town Council
Hedge End Town Council
West End Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Botley Parish Council
Hedge End Town Council
Hedge End Town Council
Bursledon Parish Council
Bursledon Parish Council
Hampshire County Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
33
Mead Road
Meadowsweet Way
Monks Way
Moorgreen Recreation Ground
Moorgreen Recreation Ground
Mount Pleasant Recreation Ground
Mount Pleasant Recreation Ground
Nelsons Gardens
New Century Recreation Ground
Norman Rodaway Recreation Ground
North End Copse
King George V Recreation Ground
King George V Recreation Ground
Otter Close
Pennine Way
Pavilion Close
Pilands Wood
Pilands Wood
Royal Victoria Country Park
Sayers Road
Shamblehurst Green
Shamblehurst Green
South Street
St Johns Road Recreation Ground
Station Road Recreation Ground
Station Road Recreation Ground
Stoke Common Road
Stoke Common Woods
Suffolk Drive
Suffolk Drive
Townhill School
Templecombe Road
Townhill Way
The Beeches
Turnpike Way
Upmill Close
Upper Barn Copse
Westmorland Way
Westward Road
Woodlands Way
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Youth area/MUGA
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T)
Youth area
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T)
Football
Play area (T)
Play area (J)
Play area (T)
Play area (T/J)
Youth area
Play area (J)
Youth area
Play area
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T/J)
Youth area
Basketball/Football
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T/J)
Youth area/MUGA
Play area (T/J)
Youth area
Play Area (T)
Play Area (J)
MUGA
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Basketball
Play area (T/J)
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Play area (T)
Youth area
Play area (T)
Eastleigh Borough Council
Fair Oak and Horton Heath PC
Eastleigh Borough Council
West End Parish Council
West End Parish Council
Hamble Parish Council
Hamble Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Fair Oak and Horton Heath PC
Hedge End Town Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hound Parish Council
Hound Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hampshire County Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Hedge End Town Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Hound Parish Council
Hound Parish Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
EBC / Forestry Commission
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
EBC / Townhill School
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council and Eastleigh Borough Council each have a paddling pool with
water play equipment. These are open during the summer months. (May – September)
Key: T – Toddler, J – Junior, MUGA – Multi Use Games Area. Youth area – normally skate
facility and / or teen shelter.
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The number of play areas provided by each is as follows:
Eastleigh Borough Council
Hedge End Town Council
Fair Oak and Horton Heath Council
West End Parish Council
Bursledon Parish Council
Hound Parish Council
Hamble-le-rice Parish Council
Botley Parish Council
Hampshire County Council
EBC / DC Leisure Ltd
EBC / Forestry Commission
EBC / Townhill School
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14
2
4
2
7
3
3
2
3
1
1
TOTAL……….87
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Appendix 2
LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs
There is much discussion regarding LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs and we feel that we should
explain these classifications. As part of the National Playing Fields Association’s (NPFA)
Six Acre Standard, there is a section giving a framework for planning and policy guidelines
for the provision of outdoor play and these are given below:
LAPs (Local Area for Play)
Small areas within 1 minute walking time of home (100m pedestrian or 60m in a straight
line). for children up to 6 years. These have no play equipment but provision is made for
low-key games, such as hopscotch or play with small toys. Seating for carers should be
provided. (NOTE: LAPS are not included in this strategy which is primarily concerned with
equipped play areas).
LEAPs (Local Equipped Areas for Play)
Playgrounds within 5 minutes walking time from home (400m pedestrian or 240m in a
straight line). for children of school age up to 8 years. These have play equipment that
should provide opportunities for at least 5 types of play such as climbing, sliding, swinging,
rocking, balancing, etc.
NEAPs (Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play)
Sites within 15 minutes walking time of home (1,000m pedestrian or 600m in a straight
line). Serving a substantial residential area equipped mainly for older children but with play
opportunities for young children. These should include opportunities for at least 8 types of
play, ball area, wheeled games area, and a meeting place for older children.
It must be noted that we must not forget the informal areas of play or CAPs (Casual Areas
of Play). Although not strictly covered by the NPFA guidelines these are areas nonetheless
that children will go to play such as areas of woodland or public open space etc. These are
generally the types of area where complaints are generated due to perceived nuisance,
and requests to officers to prevent it, i.e. no ball games signage or re-landscape the area,
etc.
Since children have a ‘right to play’ as previously discussed in this report, careful
consideration is given to each case so that appropriate action can be taken.
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Appendix 3
THE EASTLEIGH BOROUGH COUNCIL STRATEGY
FOR EQUIPPED PLAY AREAS
Eastleigh Borough Council does not currently have a policy on the provision of equipped
play areas. But it is hoped that this strategy can be used to formulate a suitable policy.
Play Areas
The provision and maintenance of equipped play areas is now a high priority on many
Local Authorities’ agendas. In order to be able to actively and safely manage these facilities
we therefore should have some sort of strategy and this strategy must cover the following: (i)
Provision of play areas on new developments
(ii)
Provision of new play areas on existing public open space land
(iii)
Refurbishment of existing play areas
(iv)
Maintenance of the play areas
(v)
Play area inspections
(vi)
Improvements to service provision
(vii)
Working with other providers in the Borough
(viii)
Promotion of equipped play areas.
Obviously, all of the above have a financial impact on the Council and in order for the
Council and its Local Area Committees to be able to plan its budgets effectively as regards
play areas, a form of business plan is required, which should be revisited and updated
annually.
1.
Provision of play areas on new developments
It is now recognised that on a large development there should be negotiations with the
developer to provide for children’s equipped play area. On major development sites this
would include for more than one play area. As previously explained, this is without any
financial cost to the Council (except ongoing maintenance). Theoretically, the developer
pays for the maintenance of the site (excluding vandalism) for a period of time. In practice,
although the developer has paid the money to the Council, it is not always allocated to the
appropriate Service Unit for the required maintenance.
STRATEGY POINT (1)
The Council will continue to negotiate with developers to
ensure adequate access and play provision for all age
groups on new-build sites as required in the Local Plan and
the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.
STRATEGY POINT (2)
The appropriate commuted sum payment for each new play
area is paid by the Developer and allocated to the
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appropriate Service Unit for the ongoing maintenance and
inspection of all play areas on new developments.
2.
Provision of New Play Area on Existing Public Open Space Land
In certain parts of the Borough it can be seen that there is a general shortfall of public
amenities for young people. (See play area provision plans for each LAC). Often these
shortfalls are identified by officers, members and the local community. Where these
shortfalls are identified the Council should work with the local community to ascertain the
specific need within the community. Officers to then report to the Local Area Committees
identifying type of need and financial implications. If funding is approved, officers will then
undertake to take the scheme forward with full consultation with the local community and
ward members.
STRATEGY POINT (3)
To identify shortfalls in provision and bring to the attention
of the appropriate Local Area Committee(s) ensuring that,
where possible, all residents of the Borough are within
easy walking or cycling distance
STRATEGY POINT (4)
At all times officers and members should consult with the
local community.
STRATEGY POINT (5)
The Council should, where necessary, work with possible
partners and stakeholders, such as the Youth Service,
Police, Parish/Town Councils, Community Groups and
other interested parties.
STRATEGY POINT (6)
Officers to investigate alternative sources of external
funding.
3.
Refurbishment of existing sites
i
It should be remembered that a ‘play area’ is a capital asset to the Council. Like any
other asset it is subject to depreciation and there comes a time when it is
uneconomic to continue to maintain it. The Council has a formal asset management
plan for all of its buildings in addition to the day-to-day maintenance and staff
believes a similar practice should be extended to play areas.
As a general guide, a play area has a life span of around 10 years, although this can
be considerably shortened due to vandalism or exceptionally heavy use. Currently,
refurbishment is done on an ‘ad hoc’ basis, but should, for budgeting purposes and
to maintain the quality of provision, be carried out as part of a formal planned
programme.
One of the considerations when refurbishing a site, must be the appropriateness of
that play area, i.e. children grow up! So consultation with the local community should
be carried out to assess the local need.
STRATEGY POINT (7)
Officers to provide a refurbishment programme for each of
Eastleigh Borough Council’s play areas and those
managed by the Town and Parish Councils and present it to
the appropriate LAC.
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STRATEGY POINT (8)
When a play area is due for refurbishment Officers to
provide the Local Area Committees with an estimate for
that site, with a 15% allowance for the removal and disposal
of the existing equipment.
STRATEGY POINT (9)
Prior to any refurbishment, Officers shall consult partners
and stakeholders as to the appropriate provision
(remember, ‘needs’ change).
ii
In certain instances, the Borough Council may provide funding for the
refurbishment of play areas owned and managed by parish or town councils.
NOTE When requested Officers from the Borough Council will provide the
necessary knowledge and expertise to assist the parish/town councils in
providing/renewing a suitable play area.
4.
Maintenance of Play Areas Owned and Maintained by Eastleigh Borough
Council
This can be split into two areas:
i
Maintenance of the play area environment which includes – litter picking, grass
cutting, shrub bed maintenance and tree works – as applicable.
ii
Maintenance of fixed assets
(a)
(b)
i
The actual play equipment
Ancillary items – bins, benches, fences, gates, signs, footpaths.
Maintenance of the play area environment
This work is currently included in the grounds maintenance contract and therefore is carried
out by the Council’s grounds maintenance contractor, to an acceptable standard.
STRATEGY POINT (10)
ii
Officers to assess current environmental maintenance
regimes, ensuring all aspects are included within the
contract and report back to Local Area Committees with
recommendations and costing.
Maintenance of fixed assets
Presently this work is carried out (depending on the works required) by the Council’s ‘inhouse’ team or local contractors. Some of the more specialised works is contracted out to
the appropriate play area companies as discussed previously.
There is currently no labour charge for small minor repairs, as this is budgeted for within
the ‘in-house team’. It must also be stated that safety comes first and if an item cannot be
repaired, then it is taken out of use – as best as practicable. With the larger items the only
method of doing this is to close the entire site until the equipment can be repaired. This
then leads to complaints from many parents/users.
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Currently the play area repair and maintenance budget is allocated to those sites requiring
works throughout the Borough according to need.
Due to the restricted nature of this budget where major parts of the equipment are in need
of replacement or if a large number of smaller items are required for one site, an approach
has to be made to the LAC for the funding to carry out the work. Whilst this is generally not
a major problem, due to the nature of the process involved, this does lead to a delay in
being able to carry out the work. During this time the equipment is not available to users
and can lead to increased complaints both about the lack of facilities and youth nuisance in
the area. It can also be a major Health and Safety issue.
It is proposed that the current budget for maintenance of fixed assets is divided by the
number of play areas per LAC and a separate cost centre is set up for each of the five
areas. This, in effect, gives a fairer allocation of funds and officers will be more able to
monitor the cost for each Local Area. It is suggested that each Local Area Committee “top
up” their allocation to a figure that more accurately reflects the true cost of maintaining a
play area. It should be noted that depending on the size and nature of each individual play
area, the cost allocation per site can be quite variable.
STRATEGY POINT (11)
5
Officers to work with LACs in identifying a budget that
more accurately reflects the general repairs and
maintenance of the play areas within their local area.
Play Area Inspections
There are three levels of inspection carried out on Eastleigh Borough Council’s play areas,
these are:
i
ii
iii
Daily
Quarterly (Operational)
Annual ( independent)
All of the above inspections are working well and therefore there is currently no reason to
alter the arrangements, although some of the higher use/vandalism prone sites could do
with more frequent operational inspections (e.g. monthly).
STRATEGY POINT (12)
Continue to monitor current arrangements.
STRATEGY POINT (13)
Officers to investigate which sites would benefit from an
enhanced operational inspection and report to LACs on
cost/resource implications.
6
Improvements to Service Provision
1. Officers from Countryside and Recreation and Direct Services involved in the
management of children’s play areas have built up a good rapport with the Local Area Cocoordinators and Members and have generated a keen interest in this subject. In order to
build up a dialogue and an exchange of ideas, suggestions, requests for budgets for
certain projects/improvements, a ‘Playgroup’ for the Eastleigh Local Area was set up as a
trial and has proved very successful and beneficial. The small group consists of the
Project Manager (Parks and Open Spaces), Assistant Manager (Grounds Maintenance),
Area Co-coordinator and three or four members.
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STRATEGY POINT (14)
In view of the success of the Eastleigh Local Area
Playgroup and the positive start made by Chandler’s Ford
and Hiltingbury, Officers to look to set up a Playgroup for
each of the other local areas, in order to provide a forum to
be able to improve and take this service forward if
requested.
2. A ‘current’ condition audit of each play area will give an indication of how each item of
equipment is performing and officers will be able to assess the condition and life
expectancy in order to programme future works.
Since the inception of the ‘Playgroup’ concept, this has now been extended to the
Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee.
STRATEGY POINT (15)
7
Officers carry out a full condition audit of all of the play
areas managed by Eastleigh Borough Council every three
years and report to the LAC’s with recommendations and
timescales. (This should not be confused with an annual
inspection report which covers other issues as described
on page 18).
Working with other providers in the Borough
To ensure continuity of play area provision and maintenance throughout the Borough and
to be able to gain a comprehensive review of the standards of provision and maintenance
within the Borough, Officers should offer to work with the Town, County and Parish
Councils to be able to build up a wider picture, which can then be used to help prioritise:
i
ii
iii
future provision
standards of maintenance and inspections (including risk assessment and
DDA audits)
programme of refurbishment
STRATEGY POINT (16)
Officers to approach the Town, County and Parish Councils
to offer their help and expertise on the above points i-iii.
STRATEGY POINT (17)
Officers to work with Town and Parish Councils in liaison
with Local Area Committees to investigate possible future
transfers of Borough Council play areas, including those
from new developments, along with the appropriate
commuted sum.
8.
Promotion of Equipped Play Areas
The Borough, Town and Parish Councils have invested and are to continue to invest
heavily in refurbishing and providing new play areas. In order that the Local community and
prospective new residents of the Borough are aware of the opportunities for play for all age
groups, we should be promoting these facilities.
STRATEGY POINT (18)
Officers to work with the Borough’s IT section to provide an
easily accessible web page on the EBC website, giving
information and location of play areas in the Borough.
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STRATEGY POINT (19)
Officers to work with the Borough’s Marketing department
for an annual listing of all sites within the Borough to be
placed in The Borough News along with informative articles
throughout the year.
STRATEGY POINT (20)
Officers to investigate along with costs, the possibility of
producing a leaflet detailing all sites within the Borough.
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