Open|Not for publication NORTH DEVON COUNCIL REPORT TO: STRATEGY AND RESOURCES Date: 1st February 2021 TOPIC: OXFORD PARK PLAY AREA, ILFRACOMBE REPORT BY: PRINCIPAL PARKS OFFICER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report seeks to allocate S106 funds to provide additional play equipment at Oxford Park Play Area, Ilfracombe. 2 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 That Strategy and Resources allocate £6600 towards the cost of providing a new piece of play equipment 2.2 Subject to approval of 2.1 above, Strategy and Resources recommend that Council vary the Capital programme by £6600 and that funds be released. 3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 To allocate funds in line with S106 agreements. 3.2 To provide investment in community facilities and infrastructure. 4 REPORT 4.1 Oxford Park play area sits in between residential properties situated just off Oxford Grove. The play area provides fitness equipment and other pieces of play equipment to suit older children aged 9-16 years. 4.2 The fitness and play equipment was installed in 2011 as part of a project run by Ilfracombe Town Council and Transform, funded by Devon County Council and North Devon Council. 4.3 Many pieces of the fitness equipment have eroded quite badly over the past couple of years due to the exposure to the wind and subsequently sea salt blowing on to the equipment given it’s close proximity to the sea. We have recently had to remove two pieces of fitness equipment as they are beyond repair. 4.4 A survey was carried out in the summer of 2019 by children from the Ilfracombe Academy as to what type of play equipment they would like to see in the park. They felt the fitness equipment was very underused and not suitable for 9-13 year olds. The most popular type of equipment they voted for was climbing apparatus. 5 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS 5.1 The estimated cost to install climbing equipment and safety surfacing is around £8000. 5.2 This will be partly funded by S106 contributions from planning application number 66763 Seaview Haven development, Ilfracombe £6600 5.3 The remainder will be funded by the parks play area budget. 6 EQUALITIES ASSESSMENT 6.1 No impact anticipated. 7 CONSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT Article or Appendix Referred or and paragraph delegated power? Part 3, Annexe 1.1 Delegated (d) 8 STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY 8.1 This report contains no confidential information or exempt information under the provisions of Schedule 12A of 1972 Act. 9 BACKGROUND PAPERS 9.1 The following background papers were used in the preparation of this report: o None 10 STATEMENT OF INTERNAL ADVICE 10.1 The author (below) confirms that advice has been taken from all appropriate Councillors and Officers. All ward members were consulted prior to this report. Author: Mike Jones Date: 15th December 2020 Reference: Document5 .