Agenda item

Councillor Booth presented his motion regarding the improvements to Play Equipment owned by Fenland District Council;

‘Play equipment can help to improve health outcomes for children across the District by encouraging exercise, it is also important to ensure facilities cater for all age groups. Some of the play equipment owned by Fenland District Council is in need of improvement and enhancement in order to continue to be of benefit to children.

This Council resolves to:

1. Refer this matter for consideration by Cabinet; and

2. If the resolution at paragraph 1 is agreed, that Cabinet considers taking the following steps:

a. A review of play equipment provided across the District to determine where improvements and enhancements are most needed;

b. Agree the most effective means of undertaking that review for example by establishing a working group; and

c. Subject to the outcome of the review, identify with input from officers any external funding that may be available to meet the cost of improvements and, where that does not meet the overall cost, to review the availability of internal funding and where necessary make recommendations to Full Council if budgetary adjustments are required;

d. Agree to keep members informed of the progress that is being made via the Portfolio Holders Briefing.

Councillor Mrs Mayor proposed the following amendment to the motion (which was tabled for members prior to the meeting);

‘Play equipment can help to improve health outcomes for children across the District by encouraging exercise, it is also important to ensure facilities cater for all age groups.  Some of the play equipment owned by Fenland District Council is in need of improvement and enhancement in order to continue to be of benefit to children. 

This Council resolves to:

1. Refer this matter for consideration by Cabinet; and

2. If the resolution at paragraph 1 is agreed, that Cabinet considers taking the following steps:

a. A review of play equipment provided across the District to determine where improvements and enhancements are most needed;

b. Agree the most effective means of undertaking that review; and

c. Subject to the outcome of the review, identify with input from officers any external funding that may be available to meet the cost of improvements and, where that does not meet the overall cost, to review the availability of internal funding and where necessary make recommendations to Full Council if budgetary adjustments are required;

d. Agree to keep members informed of the progress that is being made via the Portfolio Holders Briefing.’

Councillor Mrs Bligh seconded the amendment to the original motion and Councillor Mrs Mayor opened the motion up for debate.

1.    Councillor Mrs Bligh highlighted that we are living in a time where, according to some reports, there is a lower life expectancy for children. She added that childhood obesity and diabetes is a very real concern. She stated that by improving play equipment in Fenland, this will help the district’s children of all ages by promoting exercise as play.

2.    Councillor Tierney agreed with the motion and thanked Councillor Booth and Councillor Mrs Bligh for proposing this motion to the Council.

3.    Councillor Humphrey asked for clarification that the review will assess only Council-owned play equipment. This was confirmed.

4.    Councillor Tanfield offered her support for the motion and highlighted that when play equipment was previously installed in Friday Bridge, it had been very well received by the local children.

5.    Councillor Yeulett asked that the review includes provisions for the ‘Sconce’ in March East.

6.    Councillor Lynn supported the motion and highlighted the positive impact of the new Skate Park in Wisbech.

7.    Councillor Miscandlon stated that the recent installation of a play park in Benwick was also very well received. He supported the motion.

8.    Councillor Booth supported the amendment but reiterated the importance of member involvement in this review. He added that consideration must also be given to other play equipment provided by the Parish Councils. He reminded members that officers have a proven track record of securing grants and funding from external sources and hopes their expertise can be utilised on this project.

9.    Councillor Booth explained that he had originally pursued this review 18 months ago however at the time funding was not available. This has driven him to see how the Council can push this proposal forward further. He added that Fenland has lower health outcomes than the rest of Cambridgeshire and improving play equipment will have a positive effect on this.

Councillor Mrs Mayor asked for a vote to be taken on the substantive motion.

The motion was passed.