PAPER B1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, TOURISM & LEISURE SERVICES SELECT - 28 JANUARY 2002

CENTRAL NEWPORT PLAYGROUND PROPOSAL

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SUMMARY / PURPOSE

Members are asked to support and recommend to the Executive the setting aside of an area of land at Church Litten for the development of a play area. The fundraising and development costs are proposed to be led by a voluntary group - Newport Inner Play Committee (NIPA).

BACKGROUND

Members will be aware that, in recent times, with the severe financial pressures it has been under, the Council has struggled to provide a capital injection into play areas and playground equipment. During this time officers have been using innovative and imaginative ways to harness external funding streams and utilising these for the provision of play areas and equipment. Members will recall the Stephen Jenkins Millennium Playground Appeal in Sandown, where the Jenkins family organised themselves into a charitable committee and raised and donated approximately �100,000 for a playground in the name of their son, but for the benefit of all in Sandham Grounds.

The work of the Jenkins family has acted as a catalyst for groups in other areas and the Newport Inner Play Area Committee (NIPA) is one such group that is well advanced with their organisation and structure and desire to assist in improving the play facilities in and around Newport. During the summer they have conducted questionnaires and surveys of residents and visitors alike and concluded that a more central play facility is required. This information and results of the conclusion were fed back to the Newport Area Forum. The overwhelming result of this was that the public wish to see a properly constructed facility, along the lines of the recently constructed playground in Sandham, available free to use to all in central Newport. Church Litten was identified as the ideal location.

NIPA have proposed to undertake the consultation, design, and funding elements of the work for a playground. Once they have raised a sufficient amount of money, this will pass to the Council for construction and installation. The Council's contribution to the scheme, will include the provision of the land, officer time, administration and accounts, legal work and also responsibility for the ongoing and future maintenance and insurance of the playground. At this particular moment in time the NIPA committee are drawing up the business plan that will indicate their aim to receive �100,000 of funding.

In order to start accessing the more substantial funding streams for such a scheme, the NIPA Committee require formal notification that they have the authority to use the land. The purpose of this paper is to bring this to Members' attention and request that the Council is supportive of them.

OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS

The NIPA Committee has undertaken many consultations and discussions with proposals and projects being on display in the Lord Louis Library. They have also discussed with the Diocese of Portsmouth, Newport Area Forum, and other interested social groups, including the Education Department

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Initially, there will be no financial implications with regard to this scheme to the Council. There will, however, be an on-going insurance and maintenance cost which could be funded from the revenue budget without any substantive additional revenue funding being required.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

The Planning Office have been consulted and no planning constraints within the site are foreseen.

OPTIONS

1. To approve the request of NIPA to formally set aside a piece of land, as per the attached plan for 24 months for the purposes of them fundraising to provide a children's playground within Newport.

2. Not to approve the request.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That option 1 be approved and be recommended to the Executive for adoption.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Committee Report from 1988/89 - Stephen Jenkins Memorial Appeal

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Plan of Playground for Church Litten in Newport Isle of Wight project brief.

Site plan

NIPA letter/information

Contact Point : J Metcalfe, 823825 

A G KAYE
Strategic Director
Education and Community Development