Report to:
EXECUTIVE
MEMBER
ENVIROMENTAL SERVICES
Date:
8TH AUGUST 2006
Report of:
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES
Report No:
EMES/67/06
Contact Officer:
JON GORTON
Tele No:
01204 334074
Report Title:
PLAY AREA STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PROPOSALS
Confidential /
Non Confidential:
(Confidential) Not for publication (if this item is subsequently reported for
formal decision, the report will indicate whether exempt from publication at
that stage).
Purpose:
To inform the Executive Member of the options appraisal process that has
been undertaken for play areas in each Area Forum. To formulate a
protocol for the implementation of a fixed play area strategy.
Recommendations:
The Executive Member is requested to :
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
FOR
Note the contents of this report
Endorse the outcome of the options appraisal for each area
forum
Endorse the protocol for implementation of a Play Area
Strategy as detailed in Section 13.
Note the intention to submit further reports detailing
portfolios of specific projects.
Decision:
Background Doc(s):
Play Area Strategy Implementation Proposals – Report to Environmental Services
PDG 25th July 2006
Play Area Strategy Update – Report to Environmental Services Policy
Development Group 26th October 2005.
Play Area Strategy – Report to Executive Member for Direct Services 23rd March
2005.
Review of Children’s Outdoor Play Provision – Section 106 Agreements – Report
to Executive Member for Direct Services 15th November 2002.
Section 106 Agreements for Play Provision – Implementation Protocols – Report
to Executive Member for Direct Services 20th June 2003.
(for use on Exec Rep)
Signed:
Leader / Executive Member
Date:
Monitoring Officer
Summary:
This report details the options appraisal process that has been undertaken
for each existing fixed play area in the Borough and recommends a
process and protocol for a planned programme of removal and
refurbishment of existing provision and the installation of a number of play
areas in new locations.
Background Information
Play Area Strategy Implementation Proposals – Report to Environmental
Services PDG 25th July 2006
Play Area Strategy Update – Report to Environmental Services Policy
Development Group 26th October 2005.
Play Area Strategy – Report to Executive Member for Direct Services 23rd
March 2005.
Review of Children’s Outdoor Play Provision – Section 106 Agreements –
Report to Executive Member for Direct Services 15th November 2002.
Section 106 Agreements for Play Provision – Implementation Protocols –
Report to Executive Member for Direct Services 20th June 2003.
1.0
Introduction
In October 2005 the Environmental Services Policy Development Group received a report
updating them on progress made on the development of a borough wide fixed play area
strategy. The report detailed the work that had been undertaken on mapping the existing
provision against national access standards and other criteria, e.g., IMD scores and
population densities to provide a revised current position statement and act as a baseline
from which to develop a refurbishment and investment strategy. This report details the
outcome of an options appraisal process that has been undertaken on an Area Forum
basis to produce a set of proposals with cost estimates which can be utilised for detailed
local consultation in developing a programme of works to provide a stock of quality fixed
play provision across the Borough that is appropriate to local needs.
2.0
Options Appraisal
A multi disciplinary team of Officers with appropriate knowledge of the issues affecting play
provision have undertaken a detailed assessment of each existing play area together with
looking at the options available where there are identified gaps in provision. As mentioned
previously this exercise has been undertaken on an Area Forum basis to assist in the
consultation process and also support any case for funding to be allocated or sought for
particular sites.
A full breakdown of this assessment is included in Appendices 1-9 at this report and the
following sections provide a summary by Area Forum.
3.0
Two Towns Area Forum
In general the level and quality of provision in this area is of a reasonable standard. Where
gaps in provision have been identified they may be picked up through planning consents
that have been granted or are in the pipeline. The level of investment required is in the
region of £440,000.
4.0
Westhoughton and Chew Moor Area Forum
This Forum has a significant mix of sites, most of which require a different approach. The
future of a number of sites needs to be the subject of detailed local consultation before any
firm proposals can be developed. It is anticipated investment in excess of £600,000 will be
required.
5.0
Heaton and Lostock and Hulton
Due to the significant mix of populations and property types within this Forum it is extremely
difficult to formalise any clear proposals without detailed consultation. There are significant
areas where there is little or no provision but there is the potential that there may be no
demand for any fixed play in some of these areas. A first phase of works would cost in the
region of £250,000 whilst undertaking the consultation referred to.
6.0
Astley Bridge and Smithills Area Forum
In general this Forum is fairly well served by existing provision, albeit that some of the
catchments overlap with adjacent Forums. Some refurbishments are already underway in
conjunction with wider parks development as part of this years’ Capital Programme. There
are however some areas with identified gaps which will require detailed local consultation.
The first phase of investment required is in the region of £490,000.
7.0
South Turton Area Forum
As in the Heaton, Lostock and Hulton area there are some identified gaps in provision that
may or may not need addressing. Of the existing stock most is in fairly good condition but
an initial investment in the region of £200,000 is required.
8.0
Crompton and Halliwell Area Forum
This forum presents a significant mix in terms of the quality and level of provision. There
are a number of sites requiring removal on Health & Safety grounds and varying levels of
need due to the nature of the housing stock and availability of open space. The potential
for upgrading of some sites together with the development of some potential new provision
gives a liability in excess of £400,000.
9.0
Great Lever, Harper Green and Rumworth Area Forum
This forum again presents a significant mix of provision. In recent years a number of sites
have been refurbished as part of a wider park improvements or benefited from a capital
injection of external funding. There is however a significant amount of investment required,
over £500,000 anticipated within the next two years.
10.0
Breightmet Area Forum
A combination of mainstream capital improvements and some significant external funding
investment has led to the northern part of this area having, in general, a well suited and
sufficient stock of facilities. In other parts of the area there are significant gaps in provision
that need addressing through detailed local consultation and community involvement. An
initial estimate of the level of investment required is £500,000.
11.0
Farnworth and Kearsley Area Forum
Some of the larger sites in this area have recently or are currently being refurbished as part
of wider parks improvement programmes. A number of areas, particularly in the newer
housing developments in the Kearsley / Stoneclough area require detailed consultation
before firm plans are drawn up. Potentially in excess of £800,000 will be needed to address
all the issues in provision.
12.0
Potential Funding
12.1
Section 106 Agreements
Clearly the preceding sections of this report highlight a need for some significant
capital investment in the coming years if the Council is to provide a quality range of
fixed play areas appropriate to a local community need. There is however some
existing capital immediately available through Section 106 Agreements. The table
below shows an estimate of investment required together with current funding
available by Area Forum.
Forum
Two Towns
Westhoughton with Chew
Moor
Heaton and Lostock and
Hulton
Astley Bridge and Smithills
South Turton
Crompton and Halliwell
South
Breightmet
Farnworth and Kearsley
Total
Anticipated
Investment £
440,000
600,000
106 Funding
Received £
105,000
465,000
250,000
146,000
490,000
200,000
400,000
500,000
500,000
800,000
£4,180,000
162,000
103,000
79,000
90,000
37,000
115,000
£1,298,000
Members should be mindful that the funding available detailed above relates only to
those agreements which have been finalised and all income due received. In
addition some of the 106 Agreements stipulate that the money has to be expended
within a particular park or open space which may not be commensurate with ward or
forum boundaries. It is therefore not purely a simple exercise of matching funding
with investment need to develop a portfolio of projects and agree a work programme.
12.2
Lottery Money for Childrens Play
The Council has recently received an in principle allocation of nearly £700,000 for
investment in childrens play. The funding is intended to provide a mix of fixed
equipment provision together with some supervised open access activity sessions.
Detailed discussions have taken place with Officers in Play and Childrens Services
and a portfolio of projects has been developed that could potentially see £500,000
allocated to fixed play areas in the inner wards.
12.3
Other Capital Funding
In recent years the Department has had significant success is using some parts of its
annual Greenspace Capital Programme to lever in funding from other sources. It is
proposed that the Department continues to maximise these opportunities although
the exact level of any such funding is difficult to estimate.
12.4
Future 106 Agreements
Another mechanism through which funding for an identified, approved programme
can be obtained is by careful consideration of future Section 106 Agreements.
Where developments are proposed that are within the catchment area for existing or
identified sites for childrens play, an agreement for funding to be allocated for off site
provision can be justified.
13.0
Implementation Proposals
Due to the potentially sensitive nature of some of the proposals it is suggested that
the Options Appraisals for each forum be shared with Members more widely prior to
any formal decisions on any individual site being made. This will allow the
opportunity for issues that relate to particular sites or localities to be highlighted.
Following this exercise there would then be the opportunity to share firmer proposals
through each area forum meeting.
With the level of investment required and potential funding available there is clearly a
requirement to take both a proactive and reactive approach to the implementation of
specific projects. In the short term, following wider consultation with Members and
the public through the area forums it is proposed to present a portfolio of projects to
the Policy Development Group that matches identified need with funding available
together with a timetable for implementation. In the longer term opportunities will
arise through either future Section 106 or external funding that will allow for further
gaps in provision to be addressed.
14.0
Recommendations
The Executive Member is requested to:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Note the contents of this report
Endorse the outcome of the options appraisal for each area forum
Endorse the protocol for implementation of a Play Area Strategy as detailed in
Section 13.
Note the intention to submit further reports detailing portfolios of specific projects.