Decision details

To put forward proposals for a programme of works to replace safety surfacing in the Borough Council’s play areas.

The Council maintains 45 play areas located throughout the Borough, mainly on leisure and housing land. Access to all of these unsupervised play areas is free and unrestricted.

As part of a management review of these facilities, Officers from the Streetscene Department recently assessed the maintenance of the Council's play areas and it was noted that although the actual play equipment should last between 20 and 25 years, the safety surface beneath the equipment (rubber crumb) has a lifespan of just 10 - 15 years. This creates a gap between the estimated replacement date of a play area and the need to replace or renovate the safety surface.

In spring 2013 a survey was completed to assess the current condition of the safety surfaces. The survey revealed that some of the play area surfacing was reaching the end of its useful life although the play equipment was still providing a good play environment for children.

The main issue arising from a worn safety surface is the increasing risk of a child slipping on the smooth surface and colliding with the equipment causing injury.

In order to reduce this risk it will be necessary to implement a safety surface replacement programme.

That the Executive agrees:

(a)       a budget of £350,000 funded from the open spaces maintenance reserve, be approved for a 10 year replacement programme for the Council’s play area safety surfaces; and

(b)       that officers conduct a tender exercise or identify a suitable framework agreement to enable procurement of the necessary works.