The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has spoken of her disappointment over a reply obtained from the Welsh Government in her campaign to improve play opportunities for children in Wales.
In reply to a request on whether the Welsh Government has considered creating a statutory duty for local authorities to provide and maintain children’s playgrounds, the Deputy Minister for Social Services stated:
“We keep the existing statutory requirements under review, and do not believe an explicit duty in respect of playgrounds is required at this time.
Janet has made clear her belief that this stance should be reviewed, calling on the devolved administration to work to better incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons as a similar Bill in Scotland does.
Commenting on the reply obtained, Janet said:
“Having actively worked in my constituency to restore and maintain local play parks, including collaborating with the community in Llanrwst, I have seen first hand how provision could be bettered by introducing an explicit statutory duty for local authorities to maintain these facilities.
“These facilities are essential for our children’s health and well-being, helping to nurture the next generation into rounded and happy citizens. They also provide support to parents, acting as a meeting place to share ideas and make social plans.
“Aware that the Coronavirus pandemic has placed an unprecedented strain onto central and local government budgets across Wales, introducing such a statutory duty now would ensure that a substantial reduction in play services can be avoided. It is about looking at this issue through a long-term lens.
“Likewise, by better incorporating the UN Convention, Welsh regulations would recognise that there are many different types of disability or special need. It would also create a duty for Play Development teams to work closely with an authority’s Disability Service or working groups that assess the redesign of new and existing play areas to ensure accessibility.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- WQ82630: Will the Minister state what consideration the Welsh Government has given to creating a statutory duty for local authorities to provide and maintain children’s playgrounds?
- Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Services: Under section 11 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010, every local authority must secure sufficient play opportunities in its area for children having regard to the 3 yearly sufficiency assessment which it must carry out. The Planning Policy Wales also sets out a clear requirement that recreational and play spaces should be provided. We keep the existing statutory requirements under review, and do not believe an explicit duty in respect of playgrounds is required at this time. Their provision and maintenance forms part of the wider duty on local authorities around the assessment and securing of sufficient play opportunities.
- To view Janet’s other work on this issue, please click here.
Photo: by Ryan Sepulveda on Unsplash
