Improving Play Spaces fund

We set aside £250,000 in our 2022-23 budget to create the ‘Improving Play Spaces Fund’. This offered town and parish councils, local groups, and organisations the opportunity to create or improve local play facilities for children and young people.

They were able to bid for up to £20,000 each in capital funding. This provided up to 50% of the cost of the project, with the remaining funding being provided from other sources.

Projects that enhanced the accessibility and inclusivity of play facilities to children of all ages and abilities were prioritised.

• you are a town or parish council or you are a local group willing to collaborate with a town or parish council to apply
• you are a constituted organisation
• you already have or will secure partnership funding of 50% or more of the total cost of the project
• your project includes all installation costs and landscaping works required
• your project can be delivered by the end of March 2023
• you can deliver all ongoing maintenance for the facilities that you are investing in (if this is the existing situation)
• you are the landowner of the land on which the facilities will be installed, or you have landowner permission for the installation of facilities
• you can meet the health and safety requirements for the installation and maintenance of play equipment
• the facilities will be open and accessible to the public at no cost

Applications were not accepted unless all these criteria were met.

Priority was given to schemes which:

• provided value for money. For example, this may be to enhance or expand existing projects and facilities to enable broader participation, showing a high level of match funding
• enhanced accessibility for those with disabilities and mental health needs
• demonstrated there is local need for the scheme
• demonstrated there is local community support for the scheme
• demonstrated a high level of deliverability. For example, using detailed design and installation plans, evidence of meeting health and safety requirements
• demonstrated a high level of commitment to the ongoing maintenance of the facilities. For example, replacement of equipment that has been poorly maintained in the past will not be funded
• new provision where no play facilities exist for the age range, was also considered. This was looked at on a case-by-case basis due to limited funds

There were four stages in this process.

Stage one

All applicants were required to complete the application form by the deadline.

Stage two

All applications were reviewed by North Somerset Council officers using the following headings:

• accessibility and inclusivity of equipment to be provided.
• filling strategic gaps in provision across North Somerset
• deliverability within timescale
• sustainability - long-term management and maintenance in place
• local support for the scheme
• partnership funding or funding required

Stage three

Applications were short listed and presented to a council panel for final approval.

Stage four

Funds were then allocated to the successful projects.

In total, 23 projects were awarded:

• Abbots Leigh Parish Council – Village Field
• Backwell Parish Council – Downside Play Area
• Backwell Playing Field Charity - Backwell Playing Fields 
• Banwell Parish Council – Riverside Play Area
• Bleadon Parish Council – Coronation Hall
• Clevedon BID – Alexandra Gardens (new play area)
• Clevedon Town Council – Strode Road, Teignmouth Road and Kenn Moor Drive
• Congresbury Parish Council - King George V Field
• Dundry Parish Council - Rec Ground Play Area
• Flax Bourton Parish Council - Farleigh Green
• Hutton Parish Council – Elmhurst Play Area
• Locking – LMRC
• Long Ashton Parish Council - Gardeners Walk
• Portbury Parish Council - Portbury Play Park
• Portishead Town Council – Lake Grounds
• Pill Parish Council – Hardwick Park
• St George's Parish Council - Milestone Court
• Tickenham Village Field Management – Village Hall 
• Weston-super-Mare Town Council - Castle Batch
• Winford Parish Council - Vee Lane
• Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council - War Memorial Rec Ground
• Wraxall and Failand Parish Council – Village Hall (new play area)
• Wrington Parish Council - Rec field

Bleadon Parish Council

Portbury Parish Council

Wrington Parish Council