Issue - decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Outdoor Play Provision 2025

2.

Record of the Decision

Following the Scrutiny Review of Outdoor Play Provision, in April of 2024, the Crime and Disorder Select Committee (now renamed) recommended that officers should prepare a strategy (later approved by Cabinet) which included the following elements:

•         The Council’s aims in relation to the provision of outdoor play spaces.

•         The locations and assessments of existing and outdoor play provision, as well as any planned developments.

•         The key challenges associated with providing these spaces.

•         How the Council will seek to address these key challenges (including guiding principles).

•         Timelines for action and who will be accountable.

Following extensive consultation with officers and evidence gathering the initial sections of the Strategy for Council Outdoor Play Provision 2025 had been prepared and was attached to the report.

The Borough had 56 play areas which were available for the public to use free of charge at all reasonable times:

•         40 were owned and managed by Stockton Borough Council,

•         9 were owned by town / parish councils but managed by the Borough Council. 

•         7 were 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.

The Strategy aimed 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

By allocating an additional £150,000 pa to the parks, open spaces, cemeteries and allotments budget, the council will be able to retain approximately 30-35 play areas in addition to the new play provision planned for the Stockton Waterfront urban park.  Approximately 7-12 sites would be subject to phased de-commissioning.  

Recommendations for specific sites would be included in the final version of the strategy following detailed analysis of play provision using data referenced in Chapter 6 (page 19) of the first stage strategy document.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The first stage strategy document including the principles set out in Chapter 5 of the strategy document be approved.

2. The requirement of additional revenue funding of £150,000 per annum from 2026/27 onwards be noted.  This would enable the Council to retain approximately 30-35 play areas in good condition, in addition to the new play area at Stockton Waterfront urban park.  Approximately 7 to 12 play areas would be subject to removal of play equipment at end of life and repurposing of sites for recreational open space. Funding would be considered as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan Update & Strategy report to Council in February 2026. 

3. Cabinet agree to consider, at a later stage, a second report and final version of the strategy.  This will include an assessment of play provision (adopting the principles and overall approach outlined in this first stage strategy) and make recommendations for specific sites.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Cabinet is asked to consider approval of the initial sections of the strategy and the principles contained within.  This will enable officers to undertake a detailed analysis of the Borough’s play provision based on those agreed principles and taking account of the budget allocations. This information will be presented to Cabinet as a final version of the strategy.

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, Friday, 25 July 2025