Purpose

From within the 60 Playgrounds B&NES provides, end of Life Play Equipment has been identified at 13 locations. We will deliver replacement of the end of life equipment identified, to ensure all Playgrounds are maintained to a safe standard and can continue to create opportunities for children to play outdoors, gain a sense of place and become embedded into their neighbourhoods, at the same time improving their physical, social & mental development & wellbeing, and create an understanding and empathy with nature & others.

Decision

To approve a programme of Play Equipment Replacement for £352,000

Alternative options considered

The alternative to not replacing end of life play equipment is to remove play equipment and close play areas. In 2019-20, the Parks service undertook an ambitious project of reviewing and challenging play area provision. The review demonstrated that there is a very limited public appetite for the removal of play equipment and the closure of play areas.