Content

9.1

The Committee
considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood
Services, which set out the current position of the PlayZones
project in Ecclesfield Park. The report outlined how this had been
subject to cost increases and issues which had led to the project
being potentially unviable, and so approval was sought from the
Committee to withdraw from the PlayZones Programme and re-assign
the match funding to other community-focused improvement priorities
within Ecclesfield
Park.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy
Committee:-

(a) 
Notes the contents of the report and the options appraisal of the
Playzone project for Ecclesfield
Park;

(b) 
Agrees to the Council terminating the offer and grant agreement
with the Football Foundation in relation to this PlayZone
Programme; and

(c) 
Agrees to re-assign all remaining match funding (currently
£70,293.50) to alternative improvements in Ecclesfield Park
that align with the Active Park
vision.

 

 

 

 

9.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The recommendation to withdraw from the PlayZones
programme and reinvest the match funding into other improvement
priorities in Ecclesfield Park is due to a combination of factors
including:

·      
Successive scope alterations

·      
Significant increases in cost of the scheme that are expected to
be
met by the Council with funding
currently unavailable which means
the current scheme is not
deliverable

·      
The scheme no longer represents value for
money

·      
The PlayZones programme model was unable to
accommodate
multiple requests and community
requirements that came out of the community
consultation

·      
Feedback received from other local authorities about difficulties
with
delivering the
programme

·      
Concerns about the model and whether it meets the needs of
the
communities it is
targeting.

·      
Emerging opportunities to deliver Active Park’s ambitions
for
Ecclesfield Park which may provide
greater community benefits and
impact.

·      
Concerns about the activation of the site and pricing likely to
be
required which mean it is unlikely
to generate the revenue required to
ensure the facility is
sustainable.
 
Whilst there is a small risk to relationships and
reputation it is felt that
benefits of withdrawing from the scheme outweigh
the risks of continuing.
Committee is also asked to support the
re-assignment of the Public Health
match funding to other identified priorities
within Ecclesfield Park that align with the Active Park vision
following further consultation with key
stakeholders.

 

 

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Alternative Option considered: Continue with the
delivery of the PlayZone including sourcing the additional
£51,293.5 match funding required due to project cost
increases.

 

 

9.4.2

Advantages: -

·      
Delivery of the agreed PlayZone project which has been publicly
consulted on and supported by members will be delivered on
site.

·      
Furthers the development of Ecclesfield Park as an ‘Active
Park’.

·      
Enables SCC officers to further ‘test and learn’ the
PlayZones programme delivery on
site.

 

 

9.4.3

Disadvantages: -

·      
Significant project cost and need to identify a further
£51,293 of funding which is not currently available will
cause further delays and cost increases and potentially risk
another project not progressing if funding is taken from
elsewhere.

·      
Delivering a project which does not appear to provide value for
money and represents a reputational risk. If delivered, this would
be the most expensive Multi Use Games Area-type development
delivered in Sheffield which would also still require users to book
and pay to use for casual and group use. This would likely result
in opposition and cause concern relating to restricted use of
public green space.

·      
There are concerns that the project will not be sustainable as
interest following design development in paying for this type of
facility is low. - Ongoing requirements in terms of officer
capacity due to 10-year annual use report
requirements.

·      
Given experience with the programme to date, we would be unlikely
to progress any further PlayZones so it no longer a test and learn
opportunity.