Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no interests declared.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 January 2024.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the Crime and Disorder Select Committee meeting which was held on 25 January 2024 for approval and signature.

AGREED that the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 25 January 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider information on external bodies associated with this scrutiny topic, the experiences of other Local Authorities in managing outdoor play provision, and the views of Stockton Parent Carer Forum on the Borough’s existing offer.

The fourth and final evidence-gathering session for the Committee’s ongoing Scrutiny Review of Outdoor Play Provision: Quality and Distribution, Maintenance, and Physical Accessibility focused on external bodies associated with this scrutiny topic, the experiences of other Local Authorities in managing outdoor play provision, and the views of Stockton Parent Carer Forum on the Borough’s existing offer.

Led by the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Head of Environment, Leisure & Green Infrastructure, and supported by the SBC Strategy & Greenspace Development Manager and the SBC Care For Your Area (CFYA) Asset Manager, a presentation was given which covered:

EXTERNAL BODIES

•              Play England: The national children’s play charity for England, Play England had published 10 principles for designing successful play spaces – these advocated movement and physical activity, the stimulation of the five senses, provision of good places for social interaction, allowed children to manipulate natural and fabricated materials, and, crucially, offered children challenge (all guiding principles which SBC would endorse).  Play England were previously more active in terms of officers on the ground, though now tended to focus on the provision of strategic advice.

•              Association of Play Industries (API): The lead trade body in the play sector, API represents the interests of manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safer surfacing.  It also promotes best practice and high-quality play provision within the play industry.

•              RoSPA: The British and European safety standard BS EN1176 and the Health & Safety Executive strongly recommend that all play areas be inspected annually by an independent qualified body such as RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).  SBC commission RoSPA to carry out annual inspections of existing play areas and safety surfacing, assessments of life-expectancy of equipment / areas, post-installation inspections of new sites, and play value assessments.  Regarding the latter, the overall site, ambience, and suitability / value of equipment and features for the age groups for which the site is designed were all considered, with a rating then given for each of these three elements – the aim was for a minimum grading of ‘good’.

The Committee was informed that RoSPA had recently been commissioned by SBC to conduct an updated play value assessment of the Borough’s existing outdoor play spaces (with a view to the results of this being available in March 2024).  Outcomes would be shared with Members once received, though any delay in submission may mean the Committee has to make recommendations subject to RoSPAs findings.

Officers also drew attention to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which aimed to ensure that all those who were disabled had the same access to public services (and by implication, public parks and playgrounds) as those who were not disabled.  Successful play spaces should, as far as was reasonably possible, offer the same quality and extent of play experience to disabled children and young people as was available to those who were not disabled, whilst accepting that not all equipment could be completely accessible to everyone.

OTHER  ...  view the full minutes text for item CD/37/23

Chair’s Update

The Chair drew attention to the forthcoming SBC Executive Scrutiny Committee meeting in March 2024 which would consider plans for the 2024-2025 scrutiny work programme.  It was being proposed that next year’s reviews focused on supporting the Council’s transformation agenda – as such, it was likely that the Committee’s previously scheduled review regarding vaping would no longer be undertaken.

Work Programme 2023-2024

Consideration was given to the current Crime and Disorder Select Committee Work Programme.  The next meeting was scheduled for 21 March 2024 where the first update on progress of the agreed Action Plan following the Committee’s previous review of Tree Asset Management would be presented.  Following the formal agenda, an informal ‘summary of evidence / draft recommendations’ session in relation to the ongoing Scrutiny Review of Outdoor Play Provision was scheduled to be held.

AGREED that the Crime and Disorder Select Committee Work Programme 2023-2024 be noted.

CHAIR …………………………………………….