The Greenspaces Manager introduced the report which provided the basis for starting the process and consideration of a reviewed and updated Open Spaces and Play Area Strategy for Swale.  Members thoughts, ideas and ultimate agreement to a process to provide the necessary strategy for the period 2023-2028, focusing on play areas, as the Environment Committee were looking at the open space element.  The Greenspaces Manager said the current open space strategy was developed in 2017 and covered the period 2018-2022, he drew attention to its key principals set out at page 23 of the report.

The Greenspaces Manager said open spaces were a key strand of the Council’s strategic priority 2 (Investing in our environment) and responding positively to global challenges.  He drew attention to Appendix I, Open Spaces and Play Area Strategy 2018-2022 and Appendix II, Play Area Refurbishment-Improvement Plan 2021-25.  He asked Members to consider any changes or additional priorities and drew attention to the questions set out on page 23 of the report.

The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods drew attention to the financial implications set out on page 24 of the report.  She asked Members to bear in mind that most of the play equipment had been funded via Section 106 Agreements and other financial contributions.

The Chair invited Members to consider the report.  Members raised points and asked questions which included:

·         What were the timescales and would the pre-election period have an impact on them?;

·         would like to see more of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) surfaces used as they allowed provision of sports for wider age groups;

·         if old equipment was functional and safe and could be refurbished then the Council should keep it;

·         improvements were needed at Sittingbourne Skate Park;

·         if there were any health and safety issues at any of the Council’s play areas then they should be closed until repaired;

·         concerned about the Council no longer adopting open spaces from developers and organisations given the known issues with management companies and their lack of upkeep of such areas after the ten-year period;

·         the Council would not find it easy to find volunteers to manage play areas;

·         the play areas within the Roman Ward of Sittingbourne were adequate and being used;

·         could involvement of volunteers and letting them know how they could help be built into the strategy?;

·         drew attention to some play areas which had been destroyed by fire and the need to explore, “designing out crime” within open spaces which was inexpensive to do;

·         welcomed the focus on making play areas accessible for the disabled;

·         would like to see more focus on liaising with parent groups such local Parent Teacher Associations;

·         the Council needed to be careful of outsourcing play areas and ensure appropriate legal safeguards in respect of their upkeep were in place;

·         important not to ignore the rural areas;

·         felt that sometimes older children missed out as play areas were often aimed at younger children;

·         volunteers and partnerships were fundamental to ensuring play areas were safe and maintained; and

·         concerned about the use of rubber in play areas and asked if more natural play areas could be provided.

In response, the Greenspaces Manager said the decision to not adopt local open space and play areas within new developments, had been taken five years ago and he was only aware of one complaint during that period.  He said it came down to finances and the Council’s ability to resource it. 

With regard to volunteers, the Greenspaces Manager said the Council had worked very well with volunteer groups on projects in Swale such as: Milton Creek Country Park and In Bloom.  He said the focus for volunteers could be written into the strategy.  

The Greenspaces Manager said they tried to incorporate natural play where possible to make play areas more interesting and valuable to play.  He said play areas being damaged by fire seemed to have been a particular issue within the last couple of years.  It was thought that brighter colours were often made from plastic which were attractive when evaluating design, so it was important to consider the design and robustness of equipment.

In terms of timescales, the Head of Environment and Leisure said the technical assessment and audit had not been commissioned and whilst work on them would continue through the pre-election period, it was unlikely to be considered by the Committee until after the May 2023 local election.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.