Play Park Funding - Update Report No 3
Argyll and Bute Council · 30 November 2023
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 30 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE 30 NOVEMBER 2023 SERVICES PLAY PARK FUNDING – UPDATE REPORT NO 3 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 At the December 2022 Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee (EDI), a Play Park Funding report was noted by members with an agreement that officers would submit a further report outlining the suggested process and timelines proposing further engagement with other groups, including Youth Forums and relevant Community Councils. The original report can be found at the following link: December 2022 EDI Play Park Funding Report 1.2 Subsequent update reports were presented to the March 2023 and August EDI Committees as per the following links: March 2023 EDI Play Park update Report. August 2023 EDI Play Park Update report 2 1.3 In August 2022, the Scottish Government confirmed a full 5 year funding package to all Scottish Local Authorities from 2020/21 through to 2025/26. Argyll and Bute Council will receive a total of £938k for Play Park funding. All Scottish Councils have received funding through the Capital Allocation for Renewal of Play Parks Fund for investment in play park equipment. 1.4 The March 2023 EDI Committee gave consideration to a report outlining a suggested process and timelines for proposing further engagement with other groups, including Youth Forums and relevant Community Councils in relation to the Play Park Funding Award of £938k which had been awarded by the Scottish Government for the 28 play parks being renewed in Argyll and Bute in a programme running until 2025/26. The EDI Committee also agreed the proposed timeline. 1.5 The Scottish Government commitment was to ensure that all children have access to quality play in their own community and the budget was specific in that the funding was for renewing existing play parks. A definition/scope of investment was also issued as part of the grant offer and is as below:- The agreed definition of an eligible play park is one which is local authority owned, managed or maintained sites, designated for play, which are free to access and open to all. Play parks in private ownership, those that require an entry fee or those only available to specific groups / with conditions for entry would be outwith scope. We would expect that play parks with equipment (swings, slides etc) aimed at children aged 0-
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14 would be included as would other facilities used by the same age group (e.g. pump tracks), but MUGAs (Multi Use Game Areas) or dedicated sports fields would be outwith scope. 1.6 Area Committee Business days with Elected members have already taken place and a further business day for each area took place over recent weeks where members agreed to funding and a priority list for each play park as listed below: AREA PLAY PARK Allocation of funding based on estimated costs. Helensbur gh and Lomond Total budget £368,500 Hermitage £30k Kirkmichael £25k Red Guantlet £20k Arrochar £40k (High Priority Park) Bendarroch £40k (High Priority Park) Howie £40k Kidston £20k Kilcreggan/C ove £40k Rhu £50k (Medium Priority Park) Tarbet £20k Cardross £15k Bute and Cowal Total Budget £167,500 Meadows £25k (Medium Priority Park) Port Bannatyne £30k Sandbank £30k (High Priority Park) Glen Morag £40k (Medium Priority Park) Dunoon Skate Park £25k Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Total Budget £368,500 Ardrishaig KGV £33k (High Priority Park) Bayview £25k Tarbert Already has £80k for new play park and will be supplemented by £20k funding. (High Priority Park)
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Kinloch £5k, however proposal to remove this park as Lochend in approx. 150metres away. This needs to be agreed locally first. Lochend £33k (Medium Priority Park) Hillside £33k Meadows £50k Stewarton £20k Jock’s Boat £50k Bengullion Road Skate Park £10k Ramsay Hill, Port Ellen £30k – in partnership with South Islay Development who are part funding the movement and refitting of the play park nearby. Oban, Lorn and the Isles Total Budget £33,500 Tobermory £33.5k 1.7 Whilst this has been agreed at Area Committee, Community Councils and Disability Forums will now be contacted to inform them of the proposed spend on equipment and groundworks to ensure maximum engagement locally. 1.8 The officer managing this project has already been in touch with the Tarbert Community Council who have advised that the initial plan to redevelop the play park was not what the local community wanted. As such a revised approach has been agreed to tender a new design incorporating the equipment requested by the local Tarbert Play Park Group as well as the community councils’ suggestions. This will be progressed as a priority. 1.9 A partnership approach has been agreed with South Islay Development (SID) who are in the process of redeveloping the Ramsay Hall Area which will incorporate the play park. The supplementary funding of £30k will allow a better more improved play park and the SID are currently reviewing their initial plans and will come back in the new year with a suggested location plan of equipment and materials for agreement. 1.10 It is intended to tender for all play parks, however suitable priority can be agreed in line with the previously agreed priority parks when tenders are returned. The reason for this is that previously we have tried tendering for the first two years with
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limited budgets with no success, and it is understood that a larger budget will encourage more tender bids. 1.11 Should there be further issues with no tender bids received officers are already looking at a mixed model of delivery in house or in partnership with local businesses. This must however be done in line with strict legislative restrictions on children’s play park equipment carried out by qualified individuals. 1.12 Officers suggest the following updated timeline is appropriate:- ACTION TIMESCALE Engagement with Community Councils and Education Department Commenced March-May 2023 Now complete. Engagement with Disability Forums Commencing – Winter 2023 Procurement process which may need to include a mixed model delivery of the equipment and fitting and depends on tender bids (which will last in the region of 8 – 12 weeks) Expected to commence early 2024 Installations Expected to commence Spring 2024 (dependent on procurement process as above) 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee:- Endorse the Area Committee priorities for each play park in their area and allocation of funding as per 1.6 above. Note and consider the updates regarding the Tarbet Play park and the partnership approach to Port Ellen play park in Islay. Note the updated timelines. 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 The Scottish Government has allocated a total of £938k for Play Park funding to Argyll and Bute Council for investment in play park equipment through to 2025/26 from the Capital Allocation for Renewal of Play Parks Fund. This report updates on the engagement process covering local Elected Members, community councils, education and disability forums.
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4.0 IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Policy – In line with previous decision and will also pay regard to procurement policy. 4.2 Financial – Mainly funded from Scottish Government play park capital grant, supplemented by other small pots of funding. 4.3 Legal – None known. 4.4 HR – None known. 4.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: None known. 4.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – Engagement will take place with appropriate groups, including the disability forum, to provide a positive impact on our young people. 4.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None known. 4.5.3 Islands – Elements of renewal on all council owned play parks, which therefore will not adversely affect islands. 4.6 Climate Change – We will endeavour to minimise carbon footprint of this project. 4.7 Risk – Failure to deliver within the allotted Scottish Government timescales may result in losing the budget allocated. 4.8 Customer Service – The intention of this funding is to provide better facilities for our customers. Executive Director with responsibility for Road and Infrastructure Services, Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Climate Change and Environment Services, Councillor Ross Moreland November 2023 For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Road and Infrastructure Services Jim.Smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk Hugh O’Neill, Network and Standards Manager Hugh.ONeill@argyll-bute.gov.uk