Agenda item - BCP Council Plan for Play

The BCP Council Plan for Play brings forward a strategy that sets out how our play infrastructure should be managed, designed and improved.

This strategy directly aligns and supports many of the Council’s key ambitions. This report highlights the detail contained in the strategy, most notably how our stock of play facilities – play equipment, cycle and BMX facilities – is in severe decline and in need of significant investment.

The Plan for Play includes an Improvement Plan for a phased approach to investing in the equipment that is crucial to our young people and their physical and mental well-being. This investment will make an immediate impact that ensures play areas stay open and create a pathway to work with communities, local business and funders to support our play needs.

Adopting the Plan for Play creates a vision and priorities for future provision across BCP and can be applied as funds become available or decisions are made.

RESOLVED that: -

(a) The strategy is formally adopted, comprised of:

i. Plan for Play

ii. Design guide

iii. Improvement Plan

iv. Evidence base and appendices;

(b) The Consultation plan for phase one of the Improvement Plan is approved to ensure it is developed with our communities and partners;

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(c) The allocation of £548,047 of capital funds from various planning obligations and reserves to the Improvement Plan;

(d) The allocation of £3,390,609 from Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy to the Improvement Plan; and

(e) Both (c) and (d) are subject to receiving the subsequent endorsement of the Director of Finance based on the availability of the necessary cash.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holders: Environment

Communities and Partnerships

Reason

Supports the Corporate Strategy in improving our environment and play spaces, making a difference for people and communities.

Supports the aims and principles of the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Provides an opportunity to invest in new play spaces, modernise our provision and enable future generations to have access to exciting, challenging and contemporary play equipment, fit for future generations.

Supports service improvement in managing our ageing play stock, supports pressures on revenue budgets. The Plan for Play and suite of strategic documents will provide a sounds base for any future investment and funding bids, internally or externally with community partners and funders.

The strategy is required to be able to prioritise improvements and any financial investment, ensuring those areas that need improved spaces the most have first consideration, moving away from an ad hoc, scatter-gun approach to repairs and funding.

Supports Public Health commitments as set out in Dorset’s physical activity strategy, ‘A Movement for Movement’ and a range of health and well-bring drivers seeking to reduce inpatient admissions related to physical and mental health conditions that can be mitigated by time in green space and being more active.

Works to create accessible and inclusive spaces supported by the Equalities Impact assessment.

Supports Planning Policy and the forthcoming Local plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the BCP Council Plan for Play brings forward a strategy that sets out how our play infrastructure should be managed, designed and improved.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the strategy directly aligns and supports many of the Council’s key ambitions, and that the report highlights the detail contained in the strategy, most notably how our stock of play facilities – play equipment, cycle and BMX facilities – is in severe decline and in need of significant investment.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the Plan for Play included an Improvement Plan for a phased approach to investing in the equipment that is crucial to our young people and their physical and mental well-being, and that this investment will make an immediate impact that ensures play areas stay open and create a pathway to work with communities, local business and funders to support our play needs.

Cabinet was informed that adopting the Plan for Play creates a vision and priorities for future provision across BCP and can be applied as funds become available or decisions are made.

The Chair of the Environment and Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet acknowledging appreciation for the work which had gone into the report and highlighting the briefings the committee had received.

Councillors addressed the Cabinet raising the following points: -

- Concern was expressed with regards to their being no mention of paddling pools, a fundamental part of some play areas.

- The acceleration of projects where there is match funding and the lack of opportunity to apply for CIL funding.

In relation to this the Leader advised that applications for CIL funding would be opening again in the new year with the announcement detailing the dates anticipated to be made early next year.

The Portfolio Holder advised that paddling pools were outside of the scope of the plan.