Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 5 June 2007 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Leisure and Museums was submitted recommending the adoption of the Play Strategy for Exeter.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 5 June 2007 and the support and comments of members were noted.  Executive welcomed the introduction of more adventure play facilities whilst noting that this inevitably involved an increased element of risk.

RESOLVED that the Play Strategy for Exeter 2007-10 be adopted.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Leisure and Museums – report circulated. 

The Head of Leisure and Museums presented the report recommending adoption of the Play Strategy by the Council. 

The adoption of a revised Play Strategy had been one of the requirements of funding play schemes through the Big Lottery Fund. The mechanism for support was a baseline figure of £200,000 to each authority together with a population and needs based allocation. Exeter’s allocation had been £231,000 out of a total sum of £160 million. Some authorities had been unable to submit bids because of insufficient resources and voluntary bodies had therefore been invited to bid. A structure had been set up so that all young people and participants could have a voice for play and the Exeter Play Association had been reformed which was meeting quarterly. After consultation with the Association, the following schemes had been submitted to the Big Lottery Fund, funding support having recently been confirmed:-

(a)            Playing the Environment - Play Ranger Project - £160,055 over three years;

(b)            Playing with the Imagination - Community Artists project - £51,000 over three years; and

(c)            Playing for Real - Environmental Play Project - £20,000.

The Head of Leisure and Museums described how the strategy would lead to more adventure play facilities and that this brought an element of risk. However, the intention was to encourage children to learn how to recognise and deal with risk as it was widely acknowledged that facilities had become bland and boring.

Responding to Members’ questions, the Head of Leisure and Museums reported that the Play with the Imagination scheme would cover three age groups from different social backgrounds but targeting wards with the highest elements of deprivation. There would be a focus on activities relating to nature and use would be made of the scrapstore resources.

In targeting the 12-19 age group and building on the provision in the last few years of skateboard parks at Flowerpot and Exhibition Fields, some 3/4 additional multi games play areas would be provided offering activities such as 5 a side football, basketball etc. in locations away from houses but with an element of overlooking. In addition, “Teen Shelters” would be constructed offering dry areas for youngsters to meet and additional BMX areas provided.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the Play Strategy and requested its adoption by Executive.

(Report circulated)