Decision details

The Director of Communications & Interim Head of Democratic Services advised Members of the outcome of the Pre-scrutiny undertaken by the Children & Young People Committee on the 13^th March in relation to the Play Sufficiency Assessment.

Members were advised at the meeting of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee Members discussed the Assessment and provided comments in respect of:

•           Highways Issues in respect of parking at play areas

•           Importance of play area developments within the LDP

•           Raising Awareness of play schemes within School holidays

•           To receive a progress review in a twelve month time

Following the update by the Director the Head of Community Wellbeing and Resilience proceeded to provide Members with details of the play sufficiency assessment.

Members were advised that the preparation of the Play Sufficiency Audit was a statutory duty of the Council and as well as establishing a baseline of provision, the Play Sufficiency Assessment enables:

•           Identification of gaps in information, provision, service delivery and policy implementation

•           Support the establishment of evidence to give an indication of distance travelled in relation to play sufficiency

•           Highlight potential ways of addressing issues relating to partnership working

•           The input and involvement of all partners increasing levels of knowledge and understanding

•           A monitoring system which will involve and improve communication between professionals

•           The identification of good practice examples

•           Increased levels of partnerships in assessing sufficient play opportunities

•           The identification of actions for the Securing Play Sufficiency Action Plan which accompanies the Play Sufficiency Assessment

Members were referred to Section 5 of the report which highlighted the findings following the assessment through a RAG system

The Cabinet Member for Children & Young people thanked the officer for the report and thanked the Children & Young People Committee  for their robust scrutiny of the assessment.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the comments and observations of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee referenced in section 5 of the report.

2.    To endorse the recommendations outlined within the Play Sufficiency Assessment report as attached as Appendix B of the report (and for ease of reference as listed below):

i.          Consider the PSA for 2019-20 and the supporting action plan.

ii.           Endorse the PSA and action plan and agree for it to be submitted to Welsh           Government.

3.    To endorse the publication of the play sufficiency assessment to the Welsh Government by the 31st March, 2019.