Agenda item

            (Mr. S. Leonard, Neighbourhood Services (OS Portfolio Lead), attended in connection with this item.)

 

            The Committee considered the following report:

 

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1       Officers are seeking approval to enhance our ongoing independent inspection process for Playgrounds. In addition to the annual suite of independent playground safety inspections, members are asked to approve an additional independent audit that will assess ‘play value’ and accessibility of all council-maintained playgrounds.  It is proposed that ‘Play Value’ and accessibility scores arising from this additional audit will inform site selection for future Playground Inspection Programmes (PIP).

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       In addition to next year’s planned suite of independent safety inspections Committee is asked to agree that an independent audit of ‘play value’ and accessibility is undertaken at all council-maintained playgrounds.

 

2.2       Committee is also asked to agree that ‘play value’ and accessibility scores will inform site selection for future Playground Improvement Programmes, replacing ‘quality’ scores derived from annual playground safety inspections.

 

2.3       Committee is also asked to note that potential infrastructure improvements (E.G Toilet Provision), identified by the audit, will be used to inform future capital projects in our parks and open spaces.

 

3.0       Main report

 

            Playground Improvement Programme

 

3.1       Since its inception in 2012, playgrounds to be refurbished under PIP have been selected using quality scores from annual, safety inspection reports. This assessment method provided council with scores for each playground that helped rank play facilities in most need of improvement. The current inspection process focuses on the quality and compliance of existing play equipment but does not audit the types of play opportunities provided or how accessible they are.

 

3.2       Over the previous eleven years PIP has made a positive impact on the overall quality of the city’s playgrounds. The first suite of independent, annual inspections in 2012 recorded:

 

·        25% of all playgrounds were classified as ‘poor’ condition

·        33% of all playgrounds were classified as ‘fair’ condition

·        42% of all playgrounds were classified as ‘good’ condition

 

3.3       Following more than a decade of investment, exceeding £6 million across more than 50 sites, the overall quality has dramatically improved. This year’s suite of annual independent safety inspections recorded:

 

·        1% of all playgrounds are classified as ‘poor’ condition

·        6% of all playgrounds are classified as ‘fair’ condition

·        93% of all playgrounds are classified as ‘good’ condition

 

3.4       Following delivery of PIP 2023-24, in parallel with ongoing citywide operational maintenance and repairs, we anticipate that 100% of our playgrounds to be classified as ‘good’ by the end of this financial year. This will be the first time, since the inception of PIP, that all playgrounds will be classified as a ‘good’ in terms of existing equipment. This provides an opportunity for the Council to go beyond an assessment of safety compliance and quality of existing equipment and audit the ‘play value’ and accessibility of our playgrounds.

 

3.5       Officers are therefore proposing a new assessment approach that will be used to rank play facilities in terms of ‘Play Value’ and accessibility.  ‘Play value’ and accessibility scores associated with the proposed audit would then be used to select playgrounds to be refurbished under future Playground Improvement Programmes (PIP).

 

3.6       If approved, members should note that independent annual playground safety inspections will continue each year to help identify essential repairs and ensure ongoing compliance with relevant safety standards (see Appendix 3) and ensure facilities remain in a good condition.  These assessments would occur in tandem with the new assessment approach.

 

3.7       If approved the proposed audit will align with best practice guidance from consultants and organisations such as Playboard NI, Mae Murray Foundation, Play Services Ireland, Play England and Play Scotland. Council’s Play Development Team, Landscape Planning & Development Team and OSS Operational Managers have also helped inform the approach. Officers have held discussions with Playboard NI and Mae Murray Foundation and initial feedback to the proposal has been positive.  Further meetings are planned for December. 

 

3.8       Assessing play value and accessibility will allow council to identify playgrounds that, although good in terms of the quality and safety compliance of their equipment, would benefit from an enhanced range of play opportunities and accessible elements.

 

3.9       In terms of a strategic fit, improving the ‘play value’ and accessibility of council-maintained playgrounds helps deliver a key outcome in the Belfast Agenda around providing a city that is safe, fair and inclusive for all. This approach also aligns with key principles in the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy’s that aim to provide welcoming shared spaces and improve health and well-being.

 

3.10      This proposal seeks to align the assessment of Playgrounds to a number of Notices of Motion.  See Appendix 1.

 

·        Notice of Motion – September 2019 – Play Facilities for Children with Disabilities

·        Notice of Motion – June 2022 – Inclusive Play Parks

 

            ‘Play Value’

 

3.11      ‘Play value’ is used to describe the value an environment, object or piece of equipment brings to a child’s experience of play, with high ‘play value’ indicating that children can play in many different ways. Through play children learn and develop their cognitive skills, problem-solving, social skills, and their fine and gross motor skills. 

 

3.12      Play is generally divided into three types:

 

·        Physical - rotating, sliding, rocking, swinging, climbing, balancing, bouncing, crawling and gliding

·        Sensory - tactile, auditory, cognitive, interaction with natural features / quiet spaces

·        Social – social / cooperative play and imaginative / themed play

 

3.13      Each type of play is crucial to a child’s development and enjoyment of a playground. Going forward, we want to increase opportunities for all three types of play and for each type to be more accessible.

 

            Assessing ‘Play Value and accessibility’

 

3.14      The proposed assessment template (see Appendix 3) is derived from a combination of tools used by Play Scotland, Play England and Play Services Ireland Ltd (see Appendix 4, template previously used by other councils in N. Ireland, Scotland and Dublin).

 

3.15      In line with key recommendations set out in the ‘Let Me Play’ report, produced by PlayBoard NI and Mae Murray Foundation, we have expanded the proposed assessment template to include an evaluation of how accessible our playgrounds are for children of all ages and abilities.

 

3.16      The assessment will allocate a ‘play value’ and accessibility score for each playground based on the types of play opportunities available and their accessibility.

 

3.17      The independent audit will also include an assessment of entrances, parking and toilet provision. Whilst the existing PIP budget will continue to be focused on new play equipment and safety surfacing, potential infrastructure improvements identified by the audit will be used to inform future capital projects in our parks and open spaces.

 

            Financial and Resource Implications

 

3.18      Subject to a competitive tendering process, we envisage ‘play value’ and accessibility assessments to be carried out by the consultant who will be appointed to undertake ongoing, annual playground safety inspections.

 

3.19      The cost of the play value and accessibility audit is included within existing revenue estimates.

 

3.20      The cost of potential infrastructure projects e.g. changing places facilities, car parks are not included within the budget estimates.

 

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

 

3.21      None.”

 

            A Member reemphasised her colleagues previous request seeking the Council to consider that a pilot be undertaken in the four areas of the city whereby a fully accessible and inclusive play facility would be piloted in each area of the city.

 

            General discussion ensued during which several Members reiterated the need to ensure that Council parks, public and open spaces were inclusive and accessible spaces for all.   

 

            A Member also requested that a list of the independent playground scores for last year, along with the new scores for this year be circulated to the Members.  She also asked to be furnished with the details of the mechanism used for the old scoring system and the officer undertook to forward this directly to the Member.

 

            Officers were asked to investigate if a map could be prepared for the Council’s website which would detail the location and play equipment available at Council parks which were inclusive and accessible to disabled children.

 

            During discussion the need for refurbishment/replacement programmes at Braniel, Finvoy Street and the Tommy Patton Parks was raised, and a Member also queried why the Finvoy Park needed upgraded within such a short period of time.  She also highlighted that the ground at the Flora Street playpark was breaking, however, the officer advised that this was being pursued with the contractor.  It was also noted that swings at the Flora Street and Clara Street needed repaired. 

 

            Following discussion, the Committee:

 

·        agreed that, in addition, to next year’s planned suite of independent safety inspections Committee that an independent audit of ‘play value’ and accessibility be undertaken at all council-maintained playgrounds;

 

·        agreed that ‘play value’ and accessibility scores would inform site selection for future Playground Improvement Programmes, replacing ‘quality’ scores derived from annual playground safety inspections;

 

·        noted that potential infrastructure improvements (for example, Toilet Provision), identified by the audit, would be used to inform future capital projects in Council parks and open spaces;

 

·        agreed to circulate the list of the independent playground scores for last year along with the new scores for this year; and

 

·        agreed to investigate if a map could be prepared for the Council’s website which would detail the location and play equipment available at Council parks that were inclusive and accessible to disabled children.