Over 1000 responses to Angus Council plans to close playparks

MORE than 1,000 people have responded to controversial proposals by Angus Council to axe over 50 play parks across the local authority area in a bid to cut costs, it was revealed today.

• Council plans to close up to 51 play areas have been met with disapproval

• 50 playparks were earmarked for redevelopment

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The council launched a public consultation exercise earlier this year after plans were first unveiled to close up to 51 play areas to save the authority more than £30,000 an year in maintenance costs.

A council spokeswoman said: “The public consultation into the condition of equipment in play parks throughout Angus concluded on Friday 14 December. More than 1,000 people filled in all or part of the online or paper surveys relating to the condition of play equipment in their local parks.

“The consultation follows a report which identified that a number of play parks had issues with obsolete, difficult to repair equipment or did not meet current health and safety standards.”

She added: “While it is proposed play equipment may have to be removed from a number of the county’s play parks, the surrounding park areas will remain accessible to the public.”

Councillor Donald Morrison, convener of the council’s neighbourhood services committee, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to fill in the survey forms and hope that by extending the time available to do this, everyone who wished to do so was able to express their opinions.

“The next step will be a report to committee in January where we will look at the details of the survey results for each area, and decisions will be made at a later date.”

The council spokeswoman added: “Although the council has invested heavily in recent years to redevelop play areas, a recent report on play park provision identified 51 play parks with 173 items of equipment that could be removed and 50 play parks which should be retained and developed. Of the 50 play parks proposed for retention, 28 sites are in need of upgrading ideally within the next one to three years, at an estimated cost of £1.21million. The 51 sites identified for removal of equipment would require further funding of around £705,000 in addition to the £1.21million, giving a total funding requirement of £1.91million.

“Angus Council recently highlighted the potential £45 million shortfall in the capital programme funding. The £1.91 million requirement for play parks would be in addition to the £45 million shortfall already identified in the council’s capital programme. Removing equipment from the 51 play parks would save £31,000 annually in staff and maintenance costs.”