Agenda item

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The Operations Manager for Public Open Spaces and Play Area Inspector and Technician gave a presentation which outlined the condition, inspection, maintenance and investment needs of Kings Lynn’s play areas, while Councillors discussed prioritisation, accessibility, funding and community involvement.

The Operations Manager for Public Open Spaces reported that the borough managed 82 play areas and associated facilities, including 43 play areas and multi-use games areas in the unparished part of Kings Lynn. Sites were grouped as good, fair or worn; all equipment was described as serviceable and safe for use, although worn equipment may be nearing the end of its expected lifespan.

The Play Area Inspector and Technician explained that play areas received weekly routine visual inspections, monthly operational maintenance inspections and annual independent inspections. Checks covered equipment damage, litter, surfacing, corrosion, timber rot, worn components, fixings, safety clearances and standards compliance. He recorded operational findings through a mobile inspection app linked to an online database, while annual inspection findings could be viewed as soon as they were uploaded. Maintenance work included repairs to fixings, moving parts, damaged components, graffiti removal, jet washing and safety surfacing. Annual inspection findings were risk-scored, with higher-risk defects prioritised and any unsafe equipment isolated until repairs could be completed.

The Operations Manager for Public Open Spaces described recent investment at Parkway, where 18 pieces of equipment, new safety surfacing and bins were installed using community funding associated with the Florence Fields development. At Edma Street, 10 new pieces of equipment, improved surfacing and accessible-play elements were installed using funding linked to the Salters Road development.

The Operations Manager for Public Open Spaces confirmed that £120,000 had been included in the 2027 capital programme as a potential route to develop inclusive play facilities, possibly at The Walks. Earlier accessible-play funding had not been pursued because it was considered insufficient to deliver a meaningful scheme, so the final scope and further funding sources still needed to be established.

The future investment programme was intended to consider asset condition, safety, accessibility, inclusivity, community need and demand. Site-specific reviews would determine whether ageing equipment should be replaced like-for-like, redesigned, enhanced or rationalised, with funding potentially drawn from the capital programme, grants, developer contributions and partnerships.

Councillor Rust queried the presence of a Norfolk County Councillor at the meeting. In response, the Chair explained that the meeting was held in public and anyone was entitled to attend as an observer but would not be permitted to address or participate in the meeting.

The Chair thanked the Officers for the presentation and invited comments and questions from the Committee. Councillor Heneghan welcomed the planned £120,000 capital allocation for inclusive play in 2027 and highlighted prioritisation of how money was spent was important along with other funding streams were needed. She added the area around the play areas such as seating for parents was also important. 

Councillor Colwell thanked Officers for their work and referred to the removal of equipment at Blenheim Road.  He asked what the authority could do about play areas built by developers that had not been adopted because they did not meet the required standard.

The Operations Manager for Public Open Spaces explained unadopted sites were excluded from the presented figures, but officers worked with developers by providing information on the standard required for adoption; outcomes varied between sites. She explained that the Blenheim Road site was unusual because the developer entered administration and the land was not in the Borough Council’s ownership or another identified portfolio. Officers had nevertheless monitored the remaining equipment for safety. A corroded climber leg identified during inspection required removal, leaving wider ownership and replacement questions unresolved.

Following Councillor Colwell’s suggestion for the Chair to write a letter to developers, the Chair acknowledged that adoption arrangements may involve a complex process and could overlap with planning matters, including possible Section 106 funding. He agreed that correspondence with developers might be appropriate after consulting planning officers, while the adoption process and available remedies required further investigation.

Councillor Bone stressed that inclusive provision should combine accessible and standard equipment so children can play together rather than creating a separate facility. Councillor Rust added that surfacing must enable access for wheelchair users and parents, noting that woodchip, uneven humps and other surfaces could prevent access even where equipment itself was accessible. She added the Youth Advisory Board could be consulted.

Councillor Sayers argued that the capital budget should reflect recurring replacement needs, estimating that approximately four and a half play-area sets could require replacement annually and that around £500,000 per year might be needed, excluding additional accessible-play costs. He added the importance of fences surrounding play areas to ensure children were contained and safe.

Councillor Squire explained that some sites had only one poorly used item of equipment, so future provision may involve fewer but better-equipped play areas. She said The Walks may not necessarily be the best location and argued against selecting equipment without understanding local needs. She added consultation with parents, children, the wider community and Members to determine the appropriate location, design and facilities was important. She added further the need to supplement the £120,000 through grants, developer-related funding, CIL funding and potentially local business sponsorship.

The Chair supported exploring grants and sponsorship but noted that any sponsorship would need appropriate advertising arrangements and that grant conditions should be checked to avoid funds being reclaimed.

RESOLVED: The Committee received and noted the presentation given on Play Area Equipment.

Councillor Kemp arrived at the meeting at 6:49pm