Agenda item

Community & Resources resolved on 1 February –

That:

There be no allocation of a maintenance budget for play areas.

To receive the report of the Head of Communities and Place.

A report had been presented to the Community & Resources Committee on 1 February 2021, the purpose of which was to present to Members the draft Torridge District Council Play Area Strategy for adoption, and to consider the recommendation from External Overview & Scrutiny Committee in relation to

finances associated with its delivery.  This had been debated by Community & Resources Committee and they had resolved to adopt the Play Strategy and there be no allocation of a maintenance budget for play areas.   This decision had been called in by Councillor Pennington.

The Chair invited Councillor Pennington to address the meeting and explain his reasons for calling in the decision.   Councillor Pennington stated that not having an allocated budget for the maintenance of play areas was fundamentally wrong.

The Head of Communities & Place explained that the Council do have to maintain facilities to ensure they are safe and there is a budget for this, but not specifically ring fenced for play.  The Council is not negligent in looking after play areas, if there are safety issues the area will be closed until repairs are carried out. 

Following further comments made in relation to health & safety, the Head of Communities & Place again reiterated his comments made above and gave assurances that the safety of play areas was budgeted for.

Additional issues/concerns raised included:

·         Inspection of play areas – Members were informed these are carried out weekly as part of the Grounds Maintenance Contract

·         Until the Strategy is decided it will be difficult to put a figure on what maintenance fund is required. 

Councillor Pennington recommended that the wording on the Decision Notice be amended to say that there are funds available for maintenance of the parks from other budgets and should not say “no allocation of maintenance budget”.    The way forward and amended wording for the Decision Notice was discussed with advice being given by the Head of Communities & Place and the Head of Legal & Governance.  

The Finance Manager & s151 Officer clarified what funds are available to maintain the play areas but added that to ring fence monies for parks would be too restrictive for the Council. 

The Chief Executive summarised what had been established by this Committee, namely that in order to continue maintaining the play areas there is a budget available and that there is no separate budget for the continual replacement of obsolete equipment at play areas.  

It was proposed by Councillor Newton, seconded by Councillor Watson that the decision of Community & Resources Committee stands.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For 5, Against 6)

The motion was lost.

Following further discussion and advice being given by the Chief Executive and Head of Legal & Governance, it was proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded by Councillor Hames and –

Resolved:

That this Committee does not agree with the resolution of Community & Resources Committee that there will be no allocation of maintenance budget for play areas.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For - Unanimous)

Councillor Manley left the meeting.

In accordance with the Constitution it was proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded by Councillor Newton and –

Resolved:    That in view of the fact 3 hours had elapsed since the meeting had commenced, that the meeting should continue.

A recorded vote was taken.

(Vote:  For - Unanimous)