Agenda item

The Panel will consider the Playable Spaces presentation.

Contact:

Catherine Little, Programme Manager  

Will Acornley, Head of Operational Services  

The Panel considered a presentation in respect of Playable Spaces which was presented byWill Acornely, Head of Operational Services.

The Panel were advised that:

• The original Playable Spaces strategy was approved by Cabinet in 2019 to improve play quality across Kirklees, provide a financially sustainable network, and deliver benefits such as health, wellbeing, and community cohesion.
• Version 1 (March 2019) proposed converting local play areas to open greenspace with investment focused on Community and Destination sites; Version 2 (October 2019) allowed traditional equipment at all sites if requested by local communities.
• The programme launched in 2020 with £3.9m capital invested and £5.6m committed or allocated. Five years into delivery, expectations remained high, but resources were restrictive.
• Kirklees managed 314 play areas, significantly more than other local authorities, with 252 sites over 15 years old included in the original programme.
• Benchmarking was undertaken against other West Yorkshire authorities, and the Play Maintenance Team consisted of four inspectors, supported by a small construction team. Maintenance budgets were limited to £16,000 plus income generation.
• Achievements included 41% programme completion, with 59 sites completed and 43 in progress. Play value increased by 141% on average at completed sites, and £782k additional funding was secured.
• Challenges included:
  • Increased material and staffing costs, reducing value for money.
  • Higher expectations as traditional equipment was retained without additional funding.
  • Restricted variety of facilities due to budget constraints.
  • Reduced workforce and maintenance budgets impacting timelines and upkeep.
• Cost comparisons showed significant price increases for equipment and surfacing since 2020, with community play area costs rising by 41%.
• Next steps included gathering feedback from the Scrutiny Panel, reviewing options for remaining sites using an asset-led approach, and considering strategy modifications for Cabinet in late summer 2026.

The Panel noted the presentation and, during the subsequent discussion, raised the following questions and points.

• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to the budget and potential scope to work with Public Health to increase flexibility, it was advised that the programme had been entirely council and community- led. As a result, this was how areas had been chosen for uplift. It was noted that there was now an opportunity for flexibility and to identify whether the project could be needs-led.
• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to the role of planning, it was explained that the reshaping the strategy had to be done in partnership with the Planning Department and was being developed alongside the Local Plan. The strategy had supported the Council to prevent developers from placing play equipment within estates and to secure Section 106 funding for more appropriate locations.
• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to Section 106 funding, it was noted that discussions had begun to improve agreements and ensure wording around children’s play was appropriate to achieve better outcomes within legal agreements. The Panel noted the response, and it was agreed that work continue to explore how use of the correct wording in supplementary planning documents could support better outcomes for Playable Spaces in the development of the strategy. 
• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to commitments and managing expectations, it was acknowledged that engagement with communities was impacted by capacity and resourcing and that there was a need to ensure capacity for commitment before engaging with the public or elected members to maintain positive relationships. It was agreed that it was important to set expectations and aspirations in line with available resources and that the approach should remain realistic to avoid doing too much at once and to identify any potential long-term funding gaps. Conversations with Cabinet regarding resource gaps and potential changes in direction were expected to begin after summer.
• In response to concerns raised by the Panel around elongating the programme, and how this could result in newer play areas requiring maintenance later,  it was confirmed that safety could be maintained and the aspiration was for all play areas to be inviting and have good play value,  however, ideal quality may not be guaranteed due to budget constraints, but these gaps would be addressed as part of the strategy refresh.
• In response to concerns raised by the Panel regarding the pace of the project, it was acknowledged that thorough engagement, high level consultations and efforts to reduce costs had contributed to the delays. The speed of the programme delivery was being assessed as part of the strategy and options included site-specific consultations and streamlining processes rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to environmental impact, it was advised that the scheme continually identified recycling and refurbishment opportunities and explored environmentally friendly surfaces in play spaces. Biodiversity was also considered on a site-by-site basis within maintenance constraints.
• In response questions from the Panel regarding how play value was quantified, it was agreed that details of the technical assessment used for playable spaces would be shared with the Panel. The Panel noted the response and further suggested that recording visitor numbers at each play area would support robust data collection and rationale for investment. In response it was advised that discussions with other local authorities were taking place to identify effective solutions for collecting this type of data.
• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to the removal of a rope swing due to damage, it was advised that work was underway to make budgets more sustainable and that conversations with the Cabinet would begin to create direction to review budgets.
• In response to questions from the Panel in relation to play provision in town centres, it was confirmed that as part of Cultural Heart investments, consideration was being given to introducing play in town centres, ensuring safety and sustainability. Comparisons with Manchester and other cities would inform this work as part of wider town centre regeneration.

The Panel noted the Playable Spaces presentation, and it was recommended that:

RESOLVED:

(1)  Work be undertaken to explore how use of the correct wording in supplementary planning documents could support better outcomes for Playable Spaces in the development of the strategy. 

(2)  Work be undertaken to ensure that aspirations were aligned with the available resources and that any potential funding gaps be identified.

(3)  Details of the technical assessment used for Playable Spaces be shared with the Panel.

(4)  Work be undertaken to explore how visitor numbers to play spaces can be recorded and how this data can be used to support future investment.