THE AXE continues to hang over Angus playparks but will not be swung against obsolete equipment just yet.
A stay of execution for almost 175 unsafe or out-of-date items was the outcome of the latest discussion over plans affecting 51 parks across the district yesterday.
In October, Angus Council officials brought forward proposals to remove equipment from the smaller parks in a move to save money from the authority’s under-pressure budget.
Late yesterday afternoon, a meeting of the council’s neighbourhood services committee in Forfar considered the massive feedback to a consultation exercise which generated more than 1,000 responses and a 2,272-signature petition supporting retention of the local facilities.
The next step is to arrange a series of meetings involving local members to discuss each individual park and the aspirations for future provision throughout the county with a leading councillor encouraging communities to continue to be involved in creating the future vision.
Campaigners in the Forfar chamber breathed a sigh of relief after fearing a decision which might signal the death knell for smaller parks in towns and villages across Angus.
Councillors have stressed that the park areas will remain even if all the equipment within them is removed, but campaigners say that is missing the point of it being called a playpark.
They said they would be taking up the opportunity to engage with the council, but Arlene Law of the Protect Our Parks group said: “If you take all the books out of a library, is it still a library?”
The campaigning mum has heard neighbourhood services convener Donald Morrison describe the playparks situation as a “blank sheet” of opportunity for the council and communities.
Of the 50 Angus playparks proposed for retention, 28 sites are in need of upgrading, at an estimated cost of £1.21 million.
The 51 sites identified for removal of equipment would require funding of around £705,000 in addition to the £1.21m, leaving the authority facing a total bill just short of £2m to keep all the playparks.
Mr Morrison said: “I apologise for the public angst this has caused, we well know how emotive this is. It is disappointing that we were pilloried at the time for going out to consultation… no decision had or has been taken.”
He said no equipment would be removed in the meantime, unless or under the instruction of the Health and Safety Executive or the council’s insurers as part of the regular inspection regime.
Mr Morrison added: “It’s time to stop dwelling on the negatives and view this as an opportunity to have a proper outdoor play provision strategy for Angus.
“It gives us a blank sheet to deliver the best possible play areas, whilst living within our budget.”
The convener praised the efforts of communities such as Inverkeilor and Padanaram where residents are already looking at how local provision in the future, and said a recent meeting with Play Scotland had been very positive.
“Community groups have gained experience of the positives and pitfalls of fundraising and I invite voluntary organisations, community groups and businesses to come forward on this.”
Committee vice-convener Jeanette Gaul said: “I am glad we agreed a consultation and Play Scotland has already given us food for thought about how we can move forward with our play areas.”
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk