Purpose

The Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010, places a sufficiency duty on Local Authorities to assess whether their local area offers children enough opportunities to play. 

There are two parts to the duty. The first part, which states that local authorities must assess whether their local area offers children enough opportunities to play, commenced in November 2012.  

The second part, which commenced in July 2014, says that local authorities must secure enough opportunities for children to play in their area, as far is reasonable and practical.

Every local authority in Wales must complete a Play Sufficiency Assessment (PSA) every three years. The next PSA is required to be submitted to the Welsh Government by 30th June 2025 and requires cabinet approval prior to submission. 

Decision

RESOLVED: that

1. The publication of the draft 2025 – 2028 Play Sufficiency Assessment and Executive Summary on the Council website for the statutory 28-day period be approved.
2. Authority be delegated to the Director for Childrens Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Children's Services and Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport & Parks and the Cabinet Member for Education, to approve and submit to Welsh Government by 30th June 2025, the final version of the Play Sufficiency Assessment, Executive Summary and Action Plan, having considered the results of the consultation.
3. Authority be delegated to the Director for Childrens Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Children's Services and Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport & Parks and the Cabinet Member for Education to work with partners and Lead Officers to complete the final Action Plan, for its submission to Welsh Government by 30th June 2025.
4. Authority be delegated to the Director for Childrens Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Children's Services and Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport & Parks and the Cabinet Member for Education, to establish a working group for children’s play, inviting key stakeholders to contribute to, and develop a vision for play with the support of Child Friendly City; embracing the shared responsibility for ensuring the actions set out in the Action Plan is met.
5. Submission of an annual progress report on the Play Sufficiency Assessment action plan be approved to Cabinet, the Public Service Board, and the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee escalating any significant risks if necessary.