Purpose

This report sets out the
options for the scope and budgetary considerations of the Fenland
Inspire! play areas project, asking for Cabinet decisions regarding
the scope and also delegations necessary to move the project
forward.

Content

AGREED that Cabinet:
 
1.1        
Notes the report and the current comprehensive offer
to the community in terms of play areas, skate parks, a splash pad
and MUGA’s across the District.
 
1.2        
Notes the General Fund Budget Estimates and
Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Report, agreed by Cabinet and
Council in February which projects a financial shortfall for
2025/26 of £1.432m increasing year on year amounting to
around £3.4m by 2027/28.
 
1.3        
Instructs officers, in consultation with the
Portfolio Holder to assess requirements for new play areas on FDC
land close to residential areas, or in the event that there are
limited options available, to suggest enhancements to existing play
areas with a rationale for the play areas selected.  Any final decision on these new or enhanced play
areas is to be made in the future by Cabinet.
 
1.4        
Approves the development of a new play area to
replace the existing poor quality play area at Westmead Avenue in Wisbech, to an adjoining
position in the same open space, with a maximum budget of
£60,000 from the Fenland Inspire! capital project.
 
1.5        
Instructs officers to develop a database of current
play equipment with an assessment of the useful life left in each
piece of equipment, and that any equipment with a life of less than
three years is replaced as part of this project, with the capital
funding coming from the Fenland Inspire! capital fund.
 
1.6        
Notes that the refurbishment of the Manor Leisure
Centre will mean the necessary movement of the skate park at Manor
Field in Whittlesey, and that Cabinet notes that this work will
form part of this play area project in conjunction with other
proposed works. The budget will be from the Fenland Inspire!
programme but will form part of the overall Manor Leisure
refurbishment project costs.
 
1.7        
Authorises the Monitoring Officer, in consultation
with the Portfolio Holder for Fenland Inspire! and the Leader of
the Council, in his role as Portfolio Holder for
Finance,  to execute and complete all
requisite legal and governance documentation in relation to Cabinet
decisions made regarding the matters outlined above, and that
Cabinet authorises the Section 151 Officer to make all necessary
financial arrangements within the Fenland Inspire! capital budget
to carry forward decisions made by Cabinet as a result of this
report.