The Greenspaces Manager introduced the report which sought Members agreement with the proposed play Area Improvement Plan for 2024 to 2027 detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.  The Plan identified the use of externally sourced funds from Section 106 Agreements and did not impact on the Council’s capital reserves.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, which included:

·         Referred to paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of the report and asked whether there was a priority list for the projects?;

·         how likely was it that the projects would go ahead, given that they were reliant on Section 106 funding?;

·         to assist with accessibility, could mapping be included?;

·         important that the Council ensured that external funding was picked-up;

·         the Council should liaise with Faversham Town Council on what specific equipment was needed within the town;

·         stressed the importance of ensuring that environmentally friendly materials were used;

·         when was work on the projects like to commence?;

·         concerned that areas which had not secured Section 106 funding would lose out;

·         no development was proposed on the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey so would it be able to use Section 106 funding for developments elsewhere on the Isle of Sheppey?;

·         funding for play areas via Section 106 funding was not sustainable;

·         the Council should provide a social audit on the communal areas for children in areas of deprivation;

·         considered it was unfair that Section 106 funding for a development in a particular village did not necessarily benefit that area;

·         local communities could form ‘friends groups’ and secure funding for play equipment in that way;

·         the replacement play equipment at Barton’s Point, Minster was poor quality;

·         understood the £20,000 earmarked for Barton’s Point was unsuitable replacement equipment; and

·         the Council should be tough on developers when securing Section 106 funding given the increase in the value of land.

In response, the Greenspaces Manager explained that dependent on their value in any single financial year, the Council would look to ‘package’ all of the proposed improvements under one tender to ensure good value.  Delivery of the projects was dependent on each contractor.  The Section 106 funding to be used had already been secured.  The Greenspaces Manager explained that accessibility was measured via the Open Spaces and Play Strategy (OSPS) and mapping could be incorporated.    Members had agreed the OSPS at a previous committee meeting.  The priorities were RAG (Red-Amber-Green) assessed and fed into the Planning System.  He agreed to forward the current RAG list to members of the Committee.  He reassured Members that the Council would always seek to secure external funding if available, and officers worked closely with Parish and Town Councils on what specific play equipment was needed within their areas.

The Green Spaces Manager advised that sustainable materials were used where possible and if they were of a high quality.  The Council aimed to carry out the works during the spring/early summer months, when ground conditions were most appropriate and before summer school holidays.  The Green Spaces Manager explained that if additional funding was secured the Council would seek to use that in areas where no Section 106 funding was available and explained how Section 106 contributions were justified and secured.  He said the Council always sought to put play areas within a development where possible.

With regard to concerns regarding funding for equipment on the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey, the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods explained there was data available via the OSPS which picked up areas where play equipment improvements were required.  Parish Councils could also seek to secure funding for improvements.

The Greenspaces Manager advised that that the proposed equipment for Barton’s Point Coastal Park was for additional equipment rather than replacement.

The Chair moved the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

Resolved:

(1)      That the proposed Play Area Improvement Plan for 2024 to 2027, detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.