PLAY AREAS UNDER THREAT

8.15.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Apr 2009

Play Areas under threat

At last night's Full Council meeting it was revealed that some of Poole's 46 play areas could be under threat of closure when an amended motion, put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Brooke was narrowly defeated 18/17 in a recorded vote.

Whilst welcoming the Government's funding of £1,117,800 through the Playbuilder scheme to upgrade a number of play areas Cllr Brooke claimed 24 of Poole's play areas will not be refurbished. A selection process is already under way to identify those that will receive a facelift, but the remaining areas are threatened with "rationalisation" according to the report that went before Council on Tuesday 7th April. It states: " Where play areas are proposed to be rationalised ……………………, there will be a potential revenue saving on inspections in the Grounds Maintenance Contract"

"This can only mean closures" said Cllr Brooke " since with no inspections there would be health and safety issues. Play areas are an essential facility for families with young children and represent a significant community asset. We should be using S106 monies to help maintain these rather than looking to close them."

Cllr Brooke's motion " No existing play areas should close" gained the support of all Liberal Democrat Councillors and the two new Independent councillors but was voted out by the Conservatives despite two abstentions. Ironically Poole's so-called play champion, Cllr Woodcock, who is also Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, voted against the motion.

"It is clear" said Cllr Sandra Moore, who seconded the motion, "that the Conservatives have an agenda for the town's play areas which includes a number of closures. We have already seen the same thing in Bournemouth."