Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Strategy for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Outdoor Play Provision 2025 Part 2

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Strategy for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Outdoor Play Provision 2025 Part 2.

Following approval of the recommendations contained within the initial report to Cabinet on the 17th July 2025, officers had enacted the agreed principles against the play estate and completed the final sections of the Strategy.

The resulting information contained in Section 7 of the Strategy (pages 21 to 30) are the officers’ recommendations for specific Council-owned play areas, utilising the data collected during the investigation phase of strategy development whilst understanding Cabinet’s recommendation to allocate a further £150k in next year’s MTFP.

This would result in a decreased play estate, which is sustainable and ensured a fair distribution of sites across the Borough when viewed in conjunction with play areas provided by third-parties such as parish/town councils and housing developers. 

The Strategy also recommended a series of cross-cutting actions regarding the development, design and management of play provision.  These are set out in Section 8 of the Strategy.

Cabinet was reminded that the Council’s approach to the management and development of outdoor play provision owned by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is to:

•         Maintain a range of good quality play areas and informal sport facilities

•         Achieve a fair and equitable distribution of outdoor play provision across the Borough

•         Deliver welcoming, accessible and inclusive play spaces, while acknowledging that not all sites can cater for all needs and abilities

•         Ensure the overall scale of provision is at a level which is sustainable in terms of Council resource.

The Borough had 57 play areas which were available for the public to use free of charge at all reasonable times:

•         40 are owned and managed by Stockton Borough Council,

•         9 are owned by town / parish councils but managed by the Borough Council, 

•         8 are owned and managed by housing developers / management companies.

There were plans for a further 12 play areas to be delivered over the next few years (3 to be provided by the Council and 9 to be provided by housing developers) although this was subject to change.

If approved this strategy would result in a total of 32 Council-owned sites, with 11 scheduled for phased decommissioning with the resulting land identified for alternative public use.  This provision was complemented by the 17 play areas already provided by third parties and the additional 9 which were planned as part of new housing developments.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The Strategy for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Outdoor Play Provision 2025 be approved.

2. The site-specific recommendations, subject to financial approvals of the additional £150,000 pa contained within the 2026/27 MTFP report to be presented in February 2026 be approved. This would enable 23 Council-owned play areas to be prioritised for retention, development or redevelopment, ensuring high maintenance standards and delivering good play value.  A further 9 play areas will also be retained subject to availability of resources, while 11 sites would be subject to phased decommissioning and repurposing.

3. The series of additional cross-cutting actions relating to the development, design and management of play provision be noted. 

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Cabinet is asked to consider approval of the completed Strategy document which has been developed using the principles agreed by Cabinet on the 17th July 2025.  This has been developed using detailed analysis of the Borough’s play estate, whilst understanding Cabinet’s recommendation for a further allocation of revenue budget.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 24 October 2025