HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL
NON CONFIDENTIAL
COMMITTEE:
ENVIRONMENT
DATE:
5 JUNE 2013
REPORT BY:
TOWN CLERK
SUBJECT:
PORTERS HILL PARK TODDLER PLAY AREA
1.
Summary
1.1
The Porters Hill Park Play Area was re developed in 2011 as part of the
‘Playbuilder’ Scheme providing play equipment suitable for children 8 and over.
1.2
There have been ongoing discussions since this time with respect to the
installation of play equipment suitable for the toddler age group.
1.3
The key issue has been the funding arrangements for this project and it has
now been confirmed that s106 money, planning obligation, from St Albans
District Council has been made available to complete this project.
2
Recommendations
2.1
It is recommended;
2.1.1 the project action plan is agreed.
2.1.2 the consultation process is approved.
3
Background
3.1
The Town Council has received e-mail confirmation on 18 April 2013 from the
St Albans District Council’s Commercial & Contracts Services Manager that
there is £21k s106 funding available for development of the toddler play area at
Porters Hill.
3.2
Funding of £3,500 has been retained by the Town Council from the previous
play area, the Playbuilder initiative, giving a project total of £24,500.
3.3
The Harpenden Trust had initially agreed an additional £5,000 contribution in
principle and this offer is currently being reviewed.
3.4
St Albans District Council noted that this funding is based on an appropriate
consultation process being administered that confirmed the need for the project
and the communities’ choice as to the type of equipment that could be installed.
3.5
An initial action plan has been developed and meetings with suppliers held and
proposed designs are to be submitted by 29 May 2013.
3.6
Consultation exercises now need to be conducted and it is proposed to
complete face to face activities and online surveys. (appendix 1)
4
Financial Implications
4.1
The design and acquisition of the toddler play area will be governed by
available funding. Currently funds which have been identified include;
S106 planning obligation - £21,000
HTC receipt in advance - £3,500
Total
4.2
£24,500
Potential additional funding may come from the Harpenden Trust of £5,000.
This has to be confirmed. This could provide total funding available of £29,500.
Contact Officer:
Andrew Toon, Community Services Officer
APPENDIX 1
Consultation Ideas
1. Consultation Brief – Children 0-8yrs.
Within a school setting select Children from the following classes:





Nursery
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Each group of children/young people should be asked questions with regards to
playing outside. Questions could be:
1. Do you like to go to the park?
2. What do you like to play on?
3. What is your most favourite thing to do when you play outside?
Show a range of play equipment items that could go into the play area. (Remember to
clarify the exercise is just for ideas, rather than actually select the equipment to go into
the play area.)
Use different coloured stickers for each of the age groups e.g. red = reception, blue =
nursery etc. Children, with or without adult assistance place stickers onto the
equipment they would like to see in the play area.
Show some of the potential designs
2. Consultation Brief – Children 0-8yrs with their parents.
Follow exactly the same format as above in informal settings, e.g. parent & toddler
groups.
Additional question to be included, wood or metal.
3. Consultation Brief – Adults/Local Community
Open consultation event with invitation letters were sent to local residents in Batford.
Adults/Parents complete the same consultation brief 2. Seek additional
issues/comments/concerns they may have had with regards to the new play space.
Prepare and deliver an online survey for Harpenden Residents to comment, utilise and
secure space on the Town Council front page.
Online Survey Questions
The following is an initial draft list to be added to/changed – whatever we feel!!
How often do you use Porters Hill Play Area?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Do you normally visit
Alone
With Friends
What are your children’s favourite play activities?
Climbing
Swinging
Balancing
Hiding
Spinning
Sliding
Rocking
Where should the toddler play equipment should be sited?
In its own space
Integrated with existing equipment
If you could choose one thing to put in the play area what would you choose?
Slide Swing
Climbing tower
Rockers
What are the main factors that stop you using play areas?
Older children
Equipment not challenging enough
Safety
Area is unkempt/littering
Areas too busy
Should a toddler play area be fenced away from other equipment?
Yes
No
Gender
Male
Female
Age
Under 11
49
Postcode
12 - 19
50+
20 – 29
30 – 39
40 –
PORTERS HILL TODDLER AREA
Action
1
Pre Planning
-
2
Prepare initial location plan
Invite play providers to inspect area
Prepare initial designs pre consultation (in
order to have things ready when consultation
data has been collected)
Consultation Programme
-
4
Agree timescale/critical path/action plan
Play Equipment Providers
-
3
Who
Agree Consultation period
Prepare publicity
Book venue for public event
Letters/e Mails to meet schools and other local
groups
Prepare
and
agree
survey
monkey
questionnaire
Upload survey and publicity to HTC website
Prepare reports for presentation to SADC
Confirm funding arrangements
-
Confirm with SADC exact amount of S106
money allocated, £21k or 21.6k
Confirm with Harpenden Trust if £5k
commitment still available
5
Commission Supplier
6
Arrange opening ceremony
- Agree date
- Prepare publicity
- Book acts/events/special guests e.g. Town
Mayor
- Send invitations
- Complete risk assessment.
7
Maintenance and Inspection Programme
Target
Completion