As part of the emerging Leisure Strategy a phased approach had been agreed for any workstreams identified as part of it.

One of these workstreams was to investigate opportunities at King George’s Playing Fields and Warley Playing Fields.

The Council currently operated 29 play areas around the Borough as part of its outdoor leisure provision, one of which is at Warley Playing Fields.

As part of the work around Warley Playing Fields it had been identified that the play area was in need of refurbishment following the removal of a number of items of equipment.

In addition to this it had been identified that there is an opportunity to establish a new outdoor gym in the Borough as part of the ongoing improvements to Warley Playing Fields.

Mr Anderson informed the Members that the workgroup has been looking at number of workstreams, one of these is the play area at Warley Playing Fields, which hasn’t been refurbished for approx. 20 years. Over the past 12 months some damage and outdated equipment has been removed.

Section 106 funds has been made available for the refurbishment of the play area, as part of the scheme, we also have looked at establishing the Council’s first Outdoor Gym, in conjunction with Health and Wellbeing Board.

Cllr Hubbard, thanked Mr Anderson for all this hard work on the refurbishment of Warley Playing Fields.  She asked about the new location for the new Outdoor Gym, Mr Anderson informed her this will be relocated in the site of the I-Play area.

The Outdoor Gym at Warley Playing Fields is a pilot scheme. The Leisure Strategy will review the need for more Outdoor Gyms throughout the Borough.

A procurement exercise will need to be undertaken depending on the demand.

The Chair, would like to establish links between King Georges Playing Field and Warley Playing Fields in the future.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Ms Sanders to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.    Members to approve the capital investment [as outlined in the report] and authorise Officers to initiate a refurbishment of the existing play area at Warley Playing Fields.

2.    That Members delegate authority to the Chair of Community, Health and Housing together with the Officers and Members of the Leisure Strategy Working Group and the Health and Wellbeing Board to determine the final design of an outdoor gym at Warley Playing Fields.

3.    That once a final design is established that Officers proceed with

procuring the design and installation of the outdoor gym facility at

Warley Playing Fields.

Reasons for Recommendation

To allow for the refurbishment of a degraded and aged play facility at Warley Playing Fields.

To ensure a safe and engaging facility is provided for the expanding local community.