Purpose

To agree the allocated
£380,000, capital investment priorities for improving an
initial 3 play areas at Chestnut Grove, Dinnington Rother Valley
Country Park and Thrybergh Country Park in 2024/25 and
2025/26.

Decision

ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION

 

Date of Decision:

4th February 2025

Title:

24-167 – Children’s Playgrounds
Programme (Phase One)

Decision Maker:
(Including Job
Title)

Polly Hamilton, Assistant
Director, Culture, Sport & Tourism
 

Specific Delegation:
(If any)

Sub Scheme of Delegation -
Strategic Director of Regeneration of Environment, Page
26
 
Operational
management and maintenance of Galleries, Museums, Designated
Heritage Site(s), Music venues, Libraries, Parks, Country Parks,
countryside sites and other cultural, leisure, recreational, play,
green space and tourism destinations in partnership with Asset
Management.
 

Brief Description of
Decision:

This report details the proposed allocation of capital funding
from phase one of the Children’s Playgrounds
Programme.  This phase enables
three of the eight children’s
playgrounds to be replaced, to the value of £380k. It also
seeks approval to consult with stakeholders (including residents,
children and young people and Ward Members) on the detailed designs
and plans for each of these play areas. 
 
Recommendations
It
is recommended that:
1.    
The proposed sites for Phase One of the
Children’s Playgrounds Programme are endorsed, along with the
allocation of £380k.
 
 
2.    
Consultation takes place with stakeholders
(including residents, children and young people and Ward Members)
on the detailed designs and plans for each of these play
areas. 
 

Reasons for the Decision:

This will allow the
redevelopment of play areas at the following sites:
·       
Chestnut Grove Play Area, Dinnington
·       
Rother Valley Country Park main play area (approved
by Cabinet).

·       
Thrybergh Country Park Play area (approved by
Cabinet)
 
 
Whilst a significant number of sites need investment,
prioritisation for works was based on factors such as:
·       
the current condition of the sites
·       
prior investments, and known future
investments
·       
geographical spread
·       
local need
·       
timing related to other developments (in the case of
the two country parks)
 
These first three
sites can be progressed whilst further deliberations take place on
the remainder of the Children’s Playgrounds
Programme.
 

Details of alternative options
considered and rejected:

Do not approve the proposed three
sites: 
This is rejected on the grounds that the capital investment
needs to be spent promptly in order to avoid increased costs and
the second phase will enable other site options to be
considered. 
 

Conflicts of interest declared by any
Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to
the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:
(If any)

None
 

Reports or parts of reports
considered

Equalities Impact
Analysis
Carbon Impact
Analysis
 

 
I certify that this is a true
record of the executive decision to invest the capital allocation for phase one of the
Children’s Playgrounds Programme as detailed within the
report.
 
Signed by the Decision
Maker          

Dated:         
4th February, 2025
 
Name:          Polly
Hamilton
Job Title:     Assistant Director, Culture, Sport
& Tourism