The Director of Children’s Services reported upon the recently awarded Government Playbuilder funding and sought approval for its allocation in accordance with the project plan. The Play Pathfinder and Playbuilder Programme flowed from the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) consultation on the national play strategy, and was a key commitment in the Governments “Children’s Plan”, launched in December 2007. He outlined the DCSF criteria for Playbuilder play areas and he commented that a new national indicator for play (NI 199 Children’s and Young People’s satisfaction with parks and play areas) would be rolled out from April 2009 and would run alongside the Playbuilder programme.

The funding allocation offered to Wirral Council under Playbuilder status was £1,129,445 capital and £45,648 revenue and no match funding was required. Over the two-year programme period 2009-2011, the funding was expected to support the development (or redevelopment) of a minimum of 22 play areas across Wirral and revenue funding could be used at the discretion of the local authority for relevant activities to support the development of the scheme. He presented the Project Plan, which had already been submitted to DCSF for approval and he indicated that it listed the sites to be developed and explained how it was intended to comply with the key criteria.

He reported that a Project Manager would be appointed to manage the delivery of the Playbuilder programme reporting to the Wirral Play Partnership and Playbuilder Management Board. Due to the timescales involved and the grant conditions, year 1 projects had been selected based on previous consultation, existing community driven projects, match funding opportunities and also sites where there were strong User/Friends Groups. Initial year 2 sites had been proposed as part of the requirement of the Playbuilder Project Plan submitted to DCSF although they would be subject to further consultation and negotiation to ensure a strategic approach to the location of play areas. The identified Year 2 play sites complemented the previously chosen Year 1 play sites and ensured that there were improved play facilities across the Borough.

Resolved –

(1) That the funding of £1,129,445 Playbuilder capital and £45,648 revenue from the DCSF to improve 22 play areas over the course of the next two years, be allocated in accordance with the Project Plan, and be included in the Children & Young Peoples Department Capital Programme for 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

(2) That approval be given for the sites identified for year one expenditure (2009/2010).

(3) That subject to further consultation with the Play Partnership the proposed year 2 sites be considered as projects for year two (2010/2011)