Highland play parks in the spotlight as council proposes new approach for safe delivery amid mounting maintenance costs

HIGHLAND councillors will be asked this week to devolve budget and decision-making to area committees "to enable a more sustainable place-based approach" for the safe delivery of play areas.

Its proposed approach "would use local knowledge, community effort and resources with member views and staff advice" to solve problems and identify possibilities to bring the council’s play areas back into safe use to help communities and families in the recovery from Covid-19.

It follows previous discussions at the communities and place committee on November 25 when councillors agreed that officers present further detailed proposals to a meeting of the full council.

Councillor Allan Henderson, chairman of the communities and place committee said: “I realise that all communities have different needs, so the proposal is to augment the funds and allow communities to use Covid humanitarian funds in innovative ways. The aim of these proposals is to help ease parents and children back into community life while still supporting the humanitarian needs of the whole of the Highlands.

“I realise communities have more opportunities to secure outside funding from different sources such as the Lottery, community benefit schemes, ward discretionary budget and Highland Coastal Communities funding. Some members believe it is possible through this method to commence to refresh playparks and go some way to closing the estimated gap of £3.46 for maintenance and repairs.

“This I believe is a positive move towards localism, with ward members and ward managers involved in devolved decision making and answerable to their communities.”

Councillors will be asked on Thursday at a meeting of the full council to consider a report detailing proposals for Covid ward funds and investing in play areas.

Earlier this month, Cromarty Firth ward councillor Maxine Smith warned against a "sticking plaster" approach to play parks and said it was unfair to expect community groups to pick up the tab.

The report is on the council’s website at this link and the meeting will be available to watch via live webcast at https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

Related: Play park fund is a must, says veteran Easter Ross councillor

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