Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure seeking approval to spend Section 106 funding on the development of play sites across the City.  During 2013 the City Council intends to refurbish and develop Play sites across the City.  The programme of work covers a number of sites including:- the Common, Bugle Street and Golden Grove, Bentley Green play area, Lawn Road and Newtown Ivy Dene play area, Freemantle and Butts Road, Sullivan Road and Inkerman Road.  The programme of work is funded through Section 106 funding. 

(i)  To add, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules a sum of £263,500 to the Housing & Leisure Capital Programme for play area development.

(ii)  Individual scheme spending will be processed through the Capital Board and authorised by the Executive Director for Children Services or relevant officer.

1. Section 106 funding is allocated to play areas that are close to housing developments over one bedroom in size.  The anticipation being that children will live in these houses and need facilities where they are able to play:

·  The amount allocated through the planning gain is based on the number of bedrooms in each house. The money becomes available to spend once all of the houses within the development are occupied.

·  These funds are specific for the development of play areas. Although the play areas to be developed are identified when planning permission is applied for, it is normally somewhere between three and five years before the money is available for spend.

The Section 106 resource has to be spent within ten years.  Given suitable time for sizeable amounts to be accrued so that significant development can take place.

2. Southampton City Council has a responsibility to provide play spaces for children young people and families in dense urban areas, in support of the overarching city objectives of Community Safety, Health and Wellbeing, and School Attendance.
3. Play Areas are a highly visible community resource.  Extra funding is sometimes found by residents and local groups.  Consequently parents and families lobby hard for their protection and development.

1. Not to undertake these refurbishments could result in some of the play areas becoming a Health and Safety risk and subsequently needing to be closed.
2. Developing more sites, using council resources other than Section 106 money, would be difficult to sustain in the current financial climate.