Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to update Members on the successful 2017/18 Playground Improvement Programme and outline plans for playground refurbishments in 2018/19. Members are asked to note that the refurbishments are funded under the Capital Programme and that an allocation of £580,000 has been agreed to for this work, in this financial year.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to;

·        note the refurbishment of playground sites below under the Playground Improvement Programme which has an allocated budget of £580,000 under the Capital Programme for financial year 2018/19

            Table 1

3.0       Main report

            Playground Refurbishment Programme

3.1       Since its inception in 2012, the Playground Refurbishment Programme has made a significant impact on overall quality and play value to the city’s playgrounds; this has greatly improved accessibility and play value, providing new inclusive equipment, safety surfacing, boundary fencing, site furniture and landscaping works.

3.2       With continued investment over the last six years, the Council has achieved desired improvements at each of the sites refurbished under the programme. Play facilities are now more inviting, inclusive and exciting places for children and parents to visit. The 2017/18 Improvement Programme, which consisted of three major refurbishments (Hanwood, Botanic Gardens and Blythefield) and six very minor/partial refurbishments are nearing completion, moving their quality scores to the desired higher standard.

3.3       Members should note that Play Services Ireland Ltd. has undertaken this year’s cycle of independent inspections once again. The ‘quality’ score allocated for each playground is based on compliance with European safety standards BS EN 1176 & 1177.

3.4       The independent playground inspection reports also identify and prioritise much-needed repairs to existing playground equipment. Facilities Management and our own Playground Inspectors continue to undertake these repairs. A sample copy of the Independent Playground Inspection report 2018, which categorises playgrounds, giving each one a ‘quality score’ is available on mod.gov:

            Score 9 – 10   Excellent

            Score 8 – 9     Very Good

            Score 7 – 8     Good

            Score 6 – 7     Fairly Good

            Score 5 – 6     Sufficient

            Score 4 – 5     Fair

            Score 3 – 4     Insufficient

            Score 2 – 3     Poor

            Score 1 – 2     Very Poor

            Score 0 – 1     Extremely Poor

3.5       Following the independent inspection assessments of all 99 playgrounds across the city, it is proposed the sites listed in Table 1 above are refurbished under this year’s Playground Improvement Programme, which has an allocated budget of £580,000 under the Capital Programme.

3.6       The playgrounds recommended for refurbishment are the ones with the lowest overall quality scores.  Because of the proposed refurbishment works, these playgrounds will move from ‘Fairly good’ to the higher classifications of ‘Excellent’ (quality score 9.0 – 10.0) when reinspected.

3.7       Members are asked to note that Twinbrook/Brook Activity playground will be rebuilt and moved to a new location close to the existing site as part of the Leisure Transformation programme. The old playground situated at Avoniel was removed/replaced by a new playground; close by within in the Flora Street Walk Way site as part of the Connswater Community Greenway project.

3.8       Members are asked to note that two other brand new playgrounds have recently been constructed at Blacks Road and in Poleglass (Colin Valley FC site)

            Financial & Resource Implications

3.9       Refurbishment work at existing Belfast City Council sites will be funded through the Capital Programme and a budget of £580,000 has been allocated to this.  Staff from the Landscape, Planning and Development Unit will continue to deliver the Playground Improvement Programme.  As in previous years, Community Park Managers and Outreach officers will continue to assist with the distribution of information relating to playground improvements to Members of the local communities.

            Equality or Good Relations Implications

3.9       The process proposed in this report will be subject to the Council’s existing equality screening process.”

            Following a query, the Assistant Director undertook to update the Member directly regarding the number of swings that the Council had in its Parks that were suitable for use by children with a disability.

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations as set out under section 2.1.