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The Improving Play Spaces Fund, which launched in April, was set up to offer £250,000 in capital matched funding of up to 50 per cent of the project cost. A further £300,000 of capital funding has been allocated to improve the Council’s own play areas.
By the deadline of 30 June, 27 applications were received from town and parish councils, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and community groups. Councillors awarded grants to all 23 projects that met assessment criteria.
Awards range from £2,000 to £25,000 to fund projects of different sizes – from one piece of equipment to multiple pieces – all of which will make play facilities more accessible and inclusive.
Councillor Ash Cartman, North Somerset Council’s executive member for corporate services, said: “I’m proud of our budget promise to back children and young people. We set aside £1m to invest over the next few years to create spaces for toddlers to teenagers to get outside and have a healthy upbringing.
“Thank you to everyone who applied to the scheme for the effort they put in. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to fund all projects that met the assessment criteria, rather than having to pick between them as the standard was high and all projects truly deserving.”
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “North Somerset is a great place to grow-up but we want to make childhood fairer for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, or have special educational or additional needs. I’m therefore delighted we’re delivering this funding to develop the play areas, making them more accessible and inclusive.
“This project is a great example of us working in partnership with local communities and sharing resources to improve facilities for our residents.”
Details of the 23 chosen Improving Place Spaces Fund projects, including locations, are due to be announced next month.
The £300,000 in capital funding has been allocated to the following play areas:
- Nailsea – Scotch Horn and Pound Lane – £115,000
- Clevedon – Cherry Avenue and Esmond Grove – £115,000
- Weston-super-Mare – Plumley Park South – £70,000
All projects will be delivered by the end of March 2023.
More information about the scheme is available on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/improvingplayspacesfund.