Robertson plea wins hearts and minds on play areas

A passionate plea at the recent Council Budget Meeting from North Middleton Labour Councillor Ian Robertson seconding the Labour Amendment to the Capital Budget, which was to withdraw the proposed £100,000 freeze on upgrading of play areas across the Borough brought a change of heart from the initially reluctant Liberal Democrats after Councillor Robertson pointed out a viable means of finding the money within the proposed budget.

Councillor Robertson said: "£100,000 has been identified to come from upgrading of play areas for the under 12s (there are about 70 throughout the Borough, all wards will be affected), many of which are, quite frankly already a disgrace.

"This is made up of two items:

•  Upgrading of play areas to meet national standards
•  Making play areas DDA compliant (i.e. providing access for disabled youngsters)

"This is a programme that has been running since 2002. It was initially supposed to be completed by 2007, then it was stretched to 2011, and this freeze will extend the completion to 2012. By the time the last one is done, the first playground will have fallen apart and be in urgent need of replacement.
 
"Attacking a programme in this way sends out a clear message that we really don’t care about providing decent facilities for youngsters and also that it’s the lowest of our bottom priorities. We are being hypocritical.

"This freeze will hit the under 12s, a group that already suffers from the Council’s parsimony. However, more than that, it will hit the under 12s who are disabled and that, quite frankly, I just cannot stomach.

"I know there are no votes in the ‘under 12’s’. However there is no need to attack them with this freeze. Funds are readily available elsewhere in the budget.

"Let's try for once to live up to our aspirations and support the amendment."

Following consultation between the Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Alan Taylor and Council officers the Liberal Democrats agreed to accept the amendment and all three parties voted unanimously to do so.