Agenda item

(a)       To seek approval for the installation of a destination, inclusive play area on the Bath House Meadow open space, Walton-on-the-Naze based on the design proposed by the selected contractor;

(b)    To seek approval of the Heads of Terms for the Funding Agreement with Essex County Council and use of Section 106 contributions to deliver the project; and

(c)    To delegate further details to officers to facilitate the delivery of the foregoing.

That Cabinet approves -

(a)   the construction of a Play Area and portable Changing Place facility in Walton-on-the-Naze at the location, shown red, on the Plan attached as Appendix A to item A.11 of the Report of the Environment Portfolio Holder, using a grant of £100,000 from Essex County Council, Section 106 contributions of up to £80,000 and £20,000 from existing play area budget;

(b)   the heads of terms for the Funding Agreement negotiated by the Corporate Director (Operational Services) with Essex County Council, which are set out in Appendix B to the above-mentioned report;

(c)   the final Funding Agreement being completed in consultation with the Head of Governance and Legal Services;

(d)   the selection of Jupiter Play and Leisure for the design and construction of the Play Area following a competitive tender process under a framework agreement. The design and proposal is attached as Appendix C to the aforementioned report; and

(e)   the responsibility for the maintenance and security of the Play Area and Changing Places facility being incorporated into the Public Realm in-house service and the cost being met within existing budgets and resources.

There was submitted a report by the Portfolio Holder for the Environment (Report A.11), which –

a)         sought approval for the installation of a destination, inclusive play area on the Bath House Meadow open space, Walton-on-the-Naze based on the design proposed by the selected contractor;

b)         sought approval of the Heads of Terms for the Funding Agreement with Essex County Council and the use of Section 106 contributions to deliver the project; and

c)         sought approval to delegate further details to Officers to facilitate the delivery of the foregoing.

Cabinet was informed that -  

·           the play area incorporated features intended to showcase the local area and was designed in such a way as to enable all children including those with mobility and other special needs to play and interact with each other;

·           the project would also include the refurbishment of the existing play area on the site located on the public open space known locally as Bath House Meadow situated between the Naze Marine Holiday Park and the beach. The unique design and inclusivity of the play area would ensure the play area became a destination in its own right attracting visitors from both inside and outside of the District. The overall cost of the project, estimated at £200,000, was to be funded by means of a grant of £100,000 from Essex County Council (ECC) Short Breaks for Disabled Children, £80,000 from Section 106 contributions applicable to development in the Frinton and Walton area and a contribution of £20,000 from the play area budget;

·           Tendring District Council (TDC) had provisionally agreed the Section 106 contribution subject to receipt of the grant from ECC;

·           Short Breaks for Disabled Children was in addition to the grant also providing a portable Changing Place facility for the site which would considerably improve access to the play area and the adjacent seaside for children and adults who cannot use standard accessible toilets. This included people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as many other disabled people;

·           The provision of such a facility in a tourist area was intended to compliment the Council’s commitment to improving accessibility to all areas within the Public Realm and would also afford an opportunity for TDC to improve and regenerate the appearance of the existing site; and

·           A play area of this significance and design was anticipated to increase visitor numbers to the District.

Having considered the information submitted and the advice of Officers contained within the report:

It was moved by Councillor Talbot, seconded by Councillor M J D Skeels and:

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves -

(a)  the construction of a Play Area and portable Changing Place facility in Walton-on-the-Naze at the location, shown red, on the Plan attached as Appendix A to item A.11 of the Report of the Environment Portfolio Holder, using a grant of £100,000 from Essex County Council, Section 106 contributions of up to £80,000 and £20,000 from existing play area budget;

(b)  the heads of terms for the Funding Agreement negotiated by the Corporate Director (Operational Services) with Essex County Council, which are set out in Appendix B to the above-mentioned report;

(c)  the final Funding Agreement being completed in consultation with the Head of Governance and Legal Services;

(d)  the selection of Jupiter Play and Leisure for the design and construction of the Play Area following a competitive tender process under a framework agreement. The design and proposal is attached as Appendix C to the aforementioned report; and

(e)   the responsibility for the maintenance and security of the Play Area and Changing Places facility being incorporated into the Public Realm in-house service and the cost being met within existing budgets and resources.