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 2018/19 Playground Improvement Programme and outline plans for playground refurbishments in 2019/20.

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 allocation budget of £580,000 Under the Capital Programme for financial year 2019/20.

3.0       Main report

3.1       Playground Refurbishment Programme

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

3.2       With continued investment over the last seven years, the Council is achieving the desired improvements at each of its sites. The Council’s newest refurbished playground facilities below which are nearing completion are now more inviting, inclusive and exciting places for children and parents to visit; moving their quality scores to the desired higher standard.

1.      Duncairn – part funded by the Department for Communities

2.      Glenbank – part funded by the Department for Communities

3.      Barnett’s Demesne

4.      Fullerton 

5.      Orangefield – part funded by the Department for Communities

3.3       Members are asked to note that the Hammer Playground was also extensively refurbished in 2018/19. The refurbishment was funded from monies received from the transfer of land from NIHE at Tudor Place.  DFC also match funded the refurbishment.

3.4       Members are asked to note that Play Services Ireland Ltd undertook independent playground inspections on behalf of the Council. The ‘quality score’ allocated for each playground is based on compliance with the BSEN European safety standards - BS EN 1176 & BS EN 1177.

3.5       The independent playground inspection report identifies and prioritises repairs to existing playground equipment. The Council’s Facilities Management and Playground Inspectors continue to undertake these repairs. Each playground is individually categorised, giving a combined ‘quality score’. Geeragh playground for example was allocated an overall quality score of 5.

3.6       Quality scores:

            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

3.7       Following the independent inspection assessments of all 101 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 allocation budget of £580,000 under the Capital Programme.

3.8       The playgrounds recommended for refurbishment are the ones with the lowest quality scores Because of the proposed refurbishment works, these playgrounds will move from sufficient/fair to the higher classification of ‘Excellent’ – quality score 9 – 10 when reinspected.

3.9       Members are asked to note that the 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.

3.10      Financial & Resource Implications

            The proposed playground refurbishment works 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, the 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.

3.11      Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            None.”

            A Member raised a query in respect of the Grosvenor Playground and the Director of Neighbourhood Services undertook to investigate the matter and to update him directly.

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