Agreement sought for council spending on play parks in Inverness

Inverness councillors will be asked to formally agree funds which were allocated earlier this year to enable play parks to reopen.

Several play parks across the area were temporarily closed in March and April as a result of health and safety faults identified in inspections, prompting a public outcry.

A report to go to the Inverness city committee tomorrow states there was a specific need to replace the bark play surface – designed to cushion falls – but after budget reductions, there were no funds remaining within the service budget.

Following discussions at ward business meetings, five city wards asked for their remaining ward funds for Covid-19 resilience to be used to enable play areas to reopen.

The sums requested were: Aird and Loch Ness- – £19,687.50; Inverness West – £875; Inverness Ness-side – £700; Culloden and Ardersier – £2100; Inverness South – £1750.

The report states: "In recognition of the urgency of reopening sites, and at the request of members within the five affected city wards, officers proceeded to order replacement bark under delegated powers and reopen the affected play parks."

This now required formal agreement by the committee. A review is ongoing across the Highlands into play park provision and to better understand community priorities and ways to deliver play provision.

Related story: Closure of play parks deemed unsafe sparks angry reaction

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