Agenda Item No 11
Community and Environment
Board
11 June 2007
Report of the
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Community Development)
Play Area
Development Programme
1
Summary
1.1
This report sets out progress in respect of the corporate priority to install new play
areas across the Borough.
2
Recommendation to the Board
a
That the Board comments upon the progress made to date in respect of
the Play Area Development Programme; and,
Recommendation to the Executive Board
b
That the Executive Board be recommended to approve the carry
forward of those capital funds allocated to undertake the identified
drainage works at Hurley and Wood End Recreation Grounds into the
2007/08 capital programme.
3
Introduction
3.1
A progress report on the corporate priority to install new play areas across the
Borough was presented to the Board at its meeting held in March 2007. The latest
position in respect of the development programme is summarised in the action plan
attached at Appendix A. The action plan includes all Borough Council play areas, in
order that the development programme can be considered in the context of the
Council’s overall provision.
4
Phase 1: 2005 - 2006
4.1
As previously reported, the projects at Ansley Common Bretts Hall (phase 1 – teen
provision), Austrey, Cole End Park in Coleshill, Piccadilly and Abbey Green Park,
Polesworth, are complete.
5
Phase 2: 2006 - 2007
5.1
Also as previously reported, new play areas have been installed in Corley, Hurley
and Wood End, although a number of outstanding issues remain to be resolved in
each case.
...
11/1
D:\533565750.doc
5.2
The sites in Hurley and Wood End are subject to extremely wet ground conditions,
which impede both reinstatement works and the all-year round use of these facilities.
A drainage consultant has been appointed to prepare designs and technical
specifications for drainage schemes at both sites and to oversee implementation of
the works. It is expected that the available capital funding should enable land
drainage in the immediate vicinity of the play facilities at both sites and mole
drainage over the remaining area of the field at Hurley. To optimise the chances of
successful implementation, drainage works need to be undertaken at the most
favourable time of the year, depending on the type of scheme being installed. In this
regard, it is hoped that the land drainage schemes can be completed in the late
summer of this year, with the mole drainage being undertaken by spring 2008.
5.3
Despite extensive local consultation, concern has been expressed by residents
neighbouring the play area about the nature of the equipment that has been installed
in Corley. In this regard, officers will listen to these concerns at a public meeting to
be held in late May, feedback from which will be reported verbally to the Board.
5.4
Hartshill Parish Council has now received an offer of funding support from WREN for
the installation of the new play area at Snow Hill Recreation Ground. Subject to the
exchange of contracts between the Parish Council and WREN, installation works will
be undertaken in June/July, with a view to the new play area being available for
public use during the school summer holidays. The previously agreed removal of the
play equipment at Moorwood Estate and Grange Road, Hartshill, will be undertaken
after the new play area has been developed at Snow Hill Recreation Ground
6
Phase 3: 2007 - 2008
6.1
Given its identification as a priority within the North Warwickshire Play Strategy, the
proposed replacement of Mancetter play area has been included in a bid for Big
Lottery funding, the outcome of which will be known by the end of June 2007. In the
meantime, consultation has been completed with local children and young people
and this will be used to inform the design and specification of the scheme, which will
be installed in the autumn.
6.2
As instructed by the Board, officers are continuing to work in partnership with
Atherstone Town Council to deliver this Authority’s commitment to develop play
provision in the town, in respect of which the first stage of community-based
consultation is underway in order to establish whether or not there is local support for
the currently identified priority to develop play opportunities at Royal Meadow Drive
Recreation Ground. The second stage of consultation, with local children and young
people, which will determine the nature of the equipment to be provided, will follow
during the summer. This timetable allows for design and specification to be
completed by September, in order to meet potential external funding application
deadlines. Clarification has been sought from the Town Council about whether it is
able and willing to make a capital contribution to the development of a new play
facility in Atherstone.
6.3
Negotiations are continuing with Atherstone Town Council in respect of the transfer
of the play areas in Minions Close, St. George’s Road and Warwick Drive on terms
to be agreed by the Solicitor to the Council and subject to their being retained as
play areas for public use. The Town Council has been informed that these terms are
likely to include a long-term lease and a peppercorn rent.
11/2
D:\533565750.doc
...
6.4
An engineering consultant has been appointed to prepare designs and technical
specifications for remedial works to the known problems of land/bank slippage at
Minions Close and to oversee implementation of the works, which will be undertaken
prior to any transfer of the play area to the Town Council.
6.5
Consultation on the final site, Kitwood Avenue in Dordon, will take place in the
autumn, with a view to installation taking place in spring 2008.
7
Finance
7.1
The Borough Council has committed £600,000 of capital funding to the three-year
Play Area Development Programme, of which 2007 – 2008 is the last year.
7.2
The eight schemes completed to date have cost the Authority £433,148 (revenue
and capital costs) and have attracted external funding of £78,810, thereby resulting
in a total cost of £511,958. Partners have contributed a further £3,432 in third party
funding in order to draw down landfill tax grant from SITA Environmental Trust.
7.3
The scheme proposed at Snow Hill Recreation Ground, Hartshill, is expected to cost
£106,218, of which the Borough Council will contribute £44,500, with £61,718 being
contributed by partners and external funding agencies. In this instance, the Borough
Council will contribute a further £5,500 in third party funding to draw down grant from
WREN.
7.4
A detailed breakdown of funding is provided in Appendix B to this report.
7.5
Through its partnership with the Borough Council, Hags Play Ltd. is committed to
achieving 10% “added value” on the contract. This is measured by the difference
between the final cost of each scheme and the cost that would have applied had the
works been commissioned through a standard specification contract. There are two
elements that contribute to achieving the added value: a) discounts on the price of
equipment and b) savings that are achieved by the contractor through efficient
working and cost effective procurement, which are passed on to the Council. On the
eight play areas installed to date, Hags Play Ltd has achieved 14% added value
(£73,506), as detailed in Appendix C to this report.
8
Report Implications
8.1
Financial Implications
8.1.1
Appropriate capital and revenue provision has been made to support the Play Area
Development Programme, and remedial works at Minions Close, Atherstone are to
be funded by a reserve held for grounds maintenance. The land drainage capital
works at Hurley and Wood End require final approval from the Executive Board
which meets on June 25.
8.2
Safer Communities Implications
8.2.1
Appropriately designed and located play opportunities for children and young people
provide constructive alternatives to anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. Improving
the quality and accessibility of play areas will also help to reduce the likelihood of
disorder within the community.
...
11/3
D:\533565750.doc
8.3
Legal and Human Rights Implications
8.3.1
The new play area installations will comply with the requirements of all appropriate
legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
8.4
Environment and Sustainability Implications
8.4.1
The provision of opportunities for constructive activity within communities enhances
local cohesion, social inclusion and individual and collective quality of life. It also
impacts positively upon the creation of sustainable communities, within which people
feel safe, healthy and valued.
8.5
Portfolio Holder, Shadow Portfolio Holder and Ward Members Consultation
8.5.1
The Portfolio and Shadow Portfolio Holders for Safer Communities, Health, Wellbeing and Leisure, Environment, Community Life and Resources, as well as all
appropriate Ward Members have been consulted on the content of this report.
8.6
Risk Management Implications
8.6.1
The risk management implications of the Play Area Development Programme were
set out in reports to the Community and Environment Board at its meetings held in
June 2005 and March 2006.
8.7
Equalities
8.7.1
The provision of new and improved play areas is designed to enhance the quality of
life for everyone in local communities. There is a need to undertake an Equality
Impact and Needs Assessment of the Development Programme, but it remains a
positive initiative that seeks to meet expressed needs throughout communities that
have been actively engaged in service design.
8.8
Links to Council’s Priorities
8.8.1
The Play Area Development Programme has positive and direct links to the
corporate priorities to “address equalities in all aspects of our policies and services”,
“enhance community engagement and access to services”, “improve the broader
public realm”, “work in partnership to improve our market towns” and to “work with
our partners to tackle crime and the fear of crime”.
The Contact Officers for this report are Simon Powell (719352) and Alethea Wilson
(719212).
11/4
D:\533565750.doc
Background Papers
Local Government Act 1972 Section 100D, as substituted by the Local Government
Act, 2000 Section 97
Background Paper No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Author
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Facilities)
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Facilities)
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Facilities)
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Facilities)
Assistant Director
(Community
Development)
Assistant Director
(Community
Development)
Assistant Director
(Community
Development)
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Community
Development)
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Community
Development)
Assistant Director
(Leisure and Community
Development)
Nature of Background Paper
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
Date
06 Sept.
2004
06 June
2005
05 Sept.
2005
31 Oct.
2005
20 March
2006
Report to Leaders’ Group
24 April
2006
Report to Leaders’ Group
18 Sept
2006
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
30 Oct
2006
Report to Management Team
20 Feb
2007
Report to the Community and
Environment Board
19 Mar
2007
11/5
D:\533565750.doc