Agenda item

To receive a report presenting a strategic framework for the sustainable delivery of outdoor play across Huntingdonshire, ensuring inclusive, high-quality provision that meets the needs of current and future generations.

Executive Councillor: J Kerr

The Cabinet

(a)  adopted the Sustainable Play Framework as the strategic approach for play provision across Huntingdonshire, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Plan, Healthy Open Spaces Strategy (2020) and the Council’s Climate Strategy;

(b)  approved the tiered play provision model as detailed in the HDC Final Report (Appendix 1) and phased implementation plan (2025–2030) as outlined in the HDC Final Report (Appendix 1) and supported by the HDC Implementation Guide (Appendix 2), including audit and prioritisation, pilot projects, and District-wide rollout, to deliver inclusive, high-quality play spaces;

(c)  committed to securing multi-year funding through the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to lock in the indicative £730,000 capital investment and enable delivery of the framework;

(d)  delegated authority to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene to identify and co-ordinate the development of income-generating flagship sites to create a commercially sustainable model that reinvests revenue into the wider play network; and

(e)  delegated authority to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene to develop community engagement initiatives and co-design to ensure inclusivity, local ownership, and alignment with the needs of children, young people, and families.

A report by the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) presenting a strategic framework for the sustainable delivery of outdoor play across Huntingdonshire, ensuring inclusive, high-quality provision that met the needs of current and future generations. The framework aimed to prioritise investment in areas of greatest impact, enhance flagship sites capable of generating income, and review the entirety of the Council’s play assets to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

This approach aligned with the Council’s Healthy Open Spaces Strategy (2020) and the Council’s Place Strategy, Corporate Plan priorities—particularly Priority 1: Improving health and wellbeing and Priority 3: Doing our core work well, and the Climate Strategy, by embedding inclusive design, environmental stewardship, and commercial viability into the future of play provision. It also supported the Council’s ambition to reduce inequalities, promote preventative health, and deliver resilient community infrastructure.

The Executive Councillor for Parks & Countryside, Waste and Street Scene – Councillor Kerr, set out the report and paid thanks to the Parks & Countryside Development Coordinator - Kirstien Drew for her comprehensive report and extensive presentation she gave to the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities & Partnerships).

In response to questions from the Cabinet, the Executive Councillor for Parks & Countryside, Waste and Street Scene – Councillor Kerr advised that in terms of seeking opportunities for income generation at the flagship sites, the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment – Gregg Holland had lots of good ideas, including an inflatable play area at Hinchingbrooke Country Park running during the school holidays, and a mobile coffee shop at Paxton Pitts.

The Cabinet noted the importance of play for health and wellbeing for youngsters, but also as part of community engagement and feeling part of a place and being included. It was also important for adults as it provided an opportunity to make connections and talk to other people. The Cabinet were pleased to have a good strategic plan. One of the challenges was that playgrounds could get tired quickly and it was hard if investment wasn’t drip fed on a regular basis, so it was important to look at how to resource this and keep on top of that investment.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet

(a)  adopted the Sustainable Play Framework as the strategic approach for play provision across Huntingdonshire, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Plan, Healthy Open Spaces Strategy (2020) and the Council’s Climate Strategy;

(b)  approved the tiered play provision model as detailed in the HDC Final Report (Appendix 1) and phased implementation plan (2025–2030) as outlined in the HDC Final Report (Appendix 1) and supported by the HDC Implementation Guide (Appendix 2), including audit and prioritisation, pilot projects, and District-wide rollout, to deliver inclusive, high-quality play spaces;

(c)  committed to securing multi-year funding through the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to lock in the indicative £730,000 capital investment and enable delivery of the framework;

(d)  delegated authority to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene to identify and co-ordinate the development of income-generating flagship sites to create a commercially sustainable model that reinvests revenue into the wider play network; and

delegated authority to the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene to develop community engagement initiatives and co-design to ensure inclusivity, local ownership, and alignment with the needs of children, young people, and families.