Issue - meetings

Report of the Neighbourhoods and Development enclosed.

Decision made (unanimously):

That Cabinet grants permission for the following:

1.    To spend the allocated £225,000 capital budget for the Refurbishment of Hurst Grange Park Playground

2.    To award the contract for the refurbishment of Hurst Grange Park Playground to Bidder 1 in Table 1

3.    To spend the allocated £30,000 capital budget for the refurbishment of Bellis Way Playground, increased to a maximum of £60,000 subject to a successful external funding bid by the Friends of Bellis Way Playground. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment presented a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development setting out the refurbishment projects for the playgrounds at Hurst Grange Park, Penwortham and Bellis Way, Walton-Le-Dale before members and seeking permission to spend the allocated capital budgets and award the contract to the Preferred Bidder for Hurst Grange Playground identified by the procurement processes. 

Councillor Howarth stressed the need for consultation with local ward members and to have sight of the site plans once they were available. The Cabinet Member for Environment indicated that she was committed to ongoing consultation with ward members and agreed to meet with Councillor Howarth. She also confirmed that project designs would be circulated to all members once the capital budget spend had been formally approved.

Decision made (unanimously):

That Cabinet grants permission for the following:

1.    To spend the allocated £225,000 capital budget for the Refurbishment of Hurst Grange Park Playground

2.    To award the contract for the refurbishment of Hurst Grange Park Playground to Bidder 1 in Table 1

3.    To spend the allocated £30,000 capital budget for the refurbishment of Bellis Way Playground, increased to a maximum of £60,000 subject to a successful external funding bid by the Friends of Bellis Way Playground. 

Reasons for decision

The current capital programme includes a number of play areas identified for improvement.  Hurst Grange Park and Bellis Way Playgrounds have funds allocated in this financial year and bids have been invited on a design and build basis. 

Alternative options considered and rejected

The option of doing nothing and leaving the sites in their current condition was rejected as both sites are now in need of refurbishment to provide quality facilities. 

The option of providing junior equipment at Bellis Way and teen/adult equipment within the playground at Hurst Grange Park was rejected due to limitations on space and the proximity of surrounding houses.