Purpose

To commence procurement of 5 play areas as part of phased programme of improvement.

Decision

1)     Commence a procurement process to appoint suitably qualified supplier(s) to supply and install play equipment, safety flooring and complete an inspection report for 9 locations. The contracts are anticipated to start from Autumn 2026 with an expected duration of 6 months and are anticipated to have an estimate value (excluding VAT) of £0.950m across 5 sites (please see section 6 for detail).

Alternative options considered

“Do nothing” – this is not a feasible option as the play equipment is at the end or nearing the end of its life span and will not meet the required Health & Safety standards indefinitely. Several pieces of equipment have been removed from some of the play area sites due to their risk in causing injury to the public.

“In house provision” – the services cannot be provided in house as the design; development and installation of play equipment is a specialist work area.  Play Area repair and maintenance is an inhouse provision. However, this is limited to minor repairs by Play Inspectors with neither the access to resources nor ability to design, develop and install whole play areas on a par with commercial play providers. A procurement process would still be required to source the equipment regardless.