MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY AND LEISURE SERVICES
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR REGENERATION AND COMMUNITIES
Report prepared by: Jason Taylor
Date Issued: 2014
1. Maidstone Play Strategy - A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024
1.1 Key Issue for Decision
1.1.1 To consider the adoption of the Maidstone Play Strategy A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024 and the actions within the document
1.2 Recommendation of the Director of Regeneration and Communities
1.2.1 That the
draft Maidstone Play Strategy 2014-2024 is consulted on with all ward councillors
and that they are asked for responses within 5 weeks.
1.2.2 Following
this consultation period and taking into account any objections and
representations received it is proposed that the Cabinet Member agrees to the
following:
1.2.3 To adopt
the Maidstone Play Strategy A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024.
1.2.4 Approve a
new borough wide standard for equipped play That most residents across the
borough will live within 12 minutes walk of a good play area
1.2.5 Agree to
the allocation of capital funding to allow the improvement of all strategically
important play areas to green and Aamber standard.
1.2.6 That any
non Strategically Important be offered to the community and added to the
community right to bid list of assets
1.2.7 After
one year any non-strategically important play areas that are not taken on by
the community will have the play equipment removed, but will be retained as
open space.
1.2.8 To agree the allocation of funding to support a grant scheme to allow Parish Councils to improve any strategically important play areas that they are responsible for.
1.3 Reasons for Recommendation
1.3.1 The
Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure and officers visited the Communities
Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22nd April 2013; and the Community,
Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 26th
July 2013. This was to discuss the work that had been done by officers on the
Play Area Review and approval of a new play area strategic standard. The
Scrutiny Committee Recommendation Action and Implementation Plan (SCRAIP)
reports for both of these visits can be seen in Appendices B & C.
1.3.2
Following
the scoring of the play areas in 2011, it was identified that, with the average
cost of installing a new play area being around £75,000, it could take up to
forty years to replace all of MBCs play area with the current budgets. Taking
into account that play areas last about 15 years on average it became obvious
that the current situation was not sustainable and that the standard of play
areas would continue to deteriorate.
1.3.3
With
this in mind it was decided to be proactive and to carry out a complete review
of all of the play areas in the borough. This play review, carried out in 2012,
looked not only at the standard of all play areas but also the distribution of
all play areas across the borough.
1.3.4
The
objectives of this review were to come up with recommendation for future
standards for play provision, identify the cost to implement these standards
and identify potential funding sources.
1.3.5
A
summary of the findings of the Play Review were as follows:
1.3.6
51
out of 69 MBC play areas needed, or would need work within 5 years to
reach/maintain green or amber standard.
1.3.7
There
was no set standard for play provision
1.3.8
There
are some areas of potential over provision in the borough.
1.3.9
Prior
to any decision being made, the Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure
decided to take the findings of the Play Area Review and potential future
management options to Communities Overview and
Scrutiny committee to get their input. At this meeting on 22nd
April 2013 future options were presented to the committee.
1.3.10
These
options were as follows:
1.3.11
That
MBC adopt the standard that most residents across the borough will live within
12 minutes walk of a good standard play area.
1.3.12
£1.8
million would be needed to get all MBC strategically important play areas to
green standard.
1.3.13
20
MBC Non strategically important play areas would not be invested in.
1.3.14
Non-strategically
important play areas would be offered to Community Groups or Parish Councils.
1.3.15
MBC
would offer support to these groups.
1.3.16
If
these play areas are not taken on, equipment would be removed when it needed
repair and all equipment removed within 5 years, and the area left as open
space.
1.3.17
Community,
Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their
meeting of 26th
July 2013 made the following recommendations:
1.3.18 A new borough wide standard of play provision being that most residents across the borough will live within 12 minutes walk of a good standard play area.
1.3.19 Available funding in future is targeted at these strategically important play areas.
1.3.20
That
any non-strategically important play areas be offered to the community and
added to the community right to bid list of assets
1.3.21
After
one year any non- strategically important play areas that are not taken on by
the public will have the equipment removed, but will be retained as open space
for perpetuity.
1.3.22
With
these recommendations in mind it is recommended that following consultation the
Cabinet Member adopts the Maidstone Play Strategy A Strategy for Outdoor
Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024 and the actions within the document as detailed
in this report.
1.4 Alternative Action and why not Recommended
1.4.1 The Cabinet Member could decide not to adopt the Maidstone Play Strategy A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024, however this is not recommended as this would result in the continuing decline of play areas across the borough.
1.5
Impact
on Corporate Objectives
1.5.1 For
Maidstone to be a decent place to live.
1.5.2
Continues
to be a clean and attractive environment for people who live in and visit the
Borough.
1.5.3
Residents
are not disadvantaged because of where they live or who they are, vulnerable
people are assisted and the level of deprivation is reduced
1.6 Risk Management
1.6.1 There may be objections to the disposal which would require the proposal to be reviewed and considered by the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services before making a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.
1.7 Other Implications
1.7.1
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1. Financial
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X
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2. Staffing
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3. Legal
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X
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4. Equality Impact Needs Assessment
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X
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5. Environmental/Sustainable Development
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6. Community Safety
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7. Human Rights Act
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8. Procurement
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X |
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9. Asset Management
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X |
1.7.2 Financial
Adoption of the Maidstone Play Strategy 2014-2024 and associated works will
involve considerable capital expenditure in the region of £1.8 million.
1.7.3 Legal
If non strategic play areas are to be transferred to other organizations then
legal documentation would need to be prepared.
1.7.4 Equality
Impact Needs Assessment
This would need to be prepared.
1.7.5 Procurement
All expenditure would have to comply with the Councils Procurement Policy.
1.7.6 Asset
Management
The improvement of the Council Play Area stock would enable the Council to
better manage its assets.
1.8 Relevant Documents
1.8.1 Appendix
A - Maidstone Play Strategy A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas
2014-2024
Appendix B - Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Recommendation Actions
and Implementation Plan 22nd April 2013
1.8.2 Appendix
C - Community, Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Actions and Implementation Plan 26th July 2013
1.8.3 Background Documents
1.8.4 None
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How to Comment Should you have any comments on the issue that is
being considered please contact either the relevant Officer or the Member
of the Executive who will be taking the decision. Cllr John A Wilson Cabinet Member for
Community and Leisure Services Telephone:
01622 720989 E-mail:
JohnAWilson@maidstone.gov.uk Jason Taylor Parks
and Leisure Manger Telephone:
01622 602753 E-mail:
jasontaylor@maidstone.co.uk