Issue - meetings

This report sets out proposals for improving York’s play areas by a) carrying out a quality assessment of City Council and local councils’ play areas, b) using the assessment to inform investment, and, c) creating a fund to be used to contribute to large scale investment in partnership with community activity.

Resolved:

i)     That the multi-strand approach to using the new budget, as set out in paragraphs 8 to 12 of the report, be agreed.

ii)   That the criteria for allocation of the community challenge fund, as set out in paragraph 11 of the report, be agreed.

Reason: To ensure York’s play areas are kept in a good condition.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out proposals for improving York’s play areas by:

a)   carrying out a quality assessment of City Council and local councils’ play areas;

 b)  using the assessment to inform investment, and

 c)  creating a fund to be used to contribute to large scale investment in partnership with community activity.

The Operations Manager was in attendance to present the report and he highlighted the proposals put forward and made reference to the play areas provided by City of York Council, parish and town councils. He confirmed that ‘Friends’ groups could also submit a bid for funds and that to date six parish councils had confirmed they wanted to be included in the quality assessment.

In answer to the Executive Members questions regarding paragraphs 8 to 12 of the report, the Officer stated that:

•      the majority of the £150k would be used to address specific smaller scale site based investment needs and following the independent quality audit, the results, including the successful sites and funds allocated, would be published as an Officer Decision.

•      £100k was allocated to the community challenge fund and following the assessment process, the results would be brought back to the Executive Member for approval.

•      Ward Committees could also match or contribute to the ‘challenge’ or ‘community’ funding schemes.

The Executive Member thanked the Officer for his report.

Resolved:

i)    That the multi-strand approach to using the new budget, as set out in paragraphs 8 to 12 of the report, be agreed.

ii)   That the criteria for allocation of the community challenge fund, as set out in paragraph 11 of the report, be agreed subject to including that Ward Committees could also match or contribute to the ‘challenge’ or ‘community’ funding schemes.

Reason: To ensure York’s play areas are kept in a good condition.