Issue - meetings

AGREED That Cabinet:

a)        approve the replacement and modernisation programme at the ten sites across Newark & Sherwood that are identified in the report;

b)       approve, in principle, that a budget of £349, 201 is entered into the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital budgets for 2023/24, subject to approval from Cabinet;

c)        subject to the above, Cabinet approve that public consultation is sought on the plans to develop a new Castle-style playground and outdoor fitness zone at the Sconce and Devon Park, and on plans for improvements at the Turner Lane play park in Boughton and the Cleveland Square play park in Newark; and

d)       support the medium-term development of a formal play park and play equipment policy, together with a complementary asset register, to guide the future development and investment in play parks in its ownership across Newark and Sherwood. 

The Portfolio Holder- Cleaner, Safer, Greener presented a report proposing a programme to modernise a number of Newark and Sherwood’s play areas and equipment provision. The programme would replace aging equipment for new, pieces of play equipment and included inclusive play equipment for all ability users where possible to do so. It also put forward plans for consultation on new play facilities at one of Newark and Sherwood’s Green Flag parks.

Members noted that at present, there was no national accreditation on play parks and, as such, officers were proposing that the approach used to make the assessments in 2022 was now formally contained within a Play Park Plan for Newark and Sherwood. It was hoped that towns and parishes across the District would apply that policy in making judgements about their own play park assets and when seeking local grants or funding support to ensure high standards of play equipment across Newark and Sherwood.

AGREED      (unanimously) That Cabinet:

a)            approve the replacement and modernisation programme at the ten sites across Newark & Sherwood that are identified in the report;

b)            approve, in principle, that a budget of £349, 201 is entered into the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital budgets for 2023/24, subject to approval from Cabinet;

c)             subject to the above, Cabinet approve that public consultation is sought on the plans to develop a new Castle-style playground and outdoor fitness zone at the Sconce and Devon Park, and on plans for improvements at the Turner Lane play park in Boughton and the Cleveland Square play park in Newark; and

d)            support the medium-term development of a formal play park and play equipment policy, together with a complementary asset register, to guide the future development and investment in play parks in its ownership across Newark and Sherwood. 

Reasons for Decision:

The recommendations align with the Community Plan objectives in relation to health and wellbeing and the environment and in response to resident feedback as evidenced through the latest resident survey.

Options Considered:

Given the age of the equipment, doing nothing was not deemed to be a viable option. The plan to develop a play park and play equipment policy, together with an asset register, will lead to a cycle of play park improvements at all sites over the medium and longer term.