Councillors have agreed the first step towards making playgrounds in East Cambridgeshire more inclusive for all children and young people.

They unanimously agreed a cross-party motion at Thursday’s Full Council meeting (23 May 2024), which recognises the essential role of play in child development. The motion also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for outdoor play that can been accessed by all children, including those with mobility disabilities, such as wheelchair users.

The council will now carry out an independent audit of all 27 playgrounds it maintains, which provide a range of facilities for toddlers, juniors and youths.

Parish councils will also be contacted and invited to submit to the council playgrounds within their control for the same independent audit.

A budget of up to £25,000 has been set aside to carry out the audit.

Once complete, the council will develop an inclusive Playground Strategy which looks at what can be achieved in the short, medium and long term, explore possible funding opportunities and create a toolkit to help deliver improvements which will be made when the existing equipment needs replacing.

Cllr Mark Goldsack, who was voted in at the meeting as chair of the council for the second consecutive year, said: “Children and young people deserve to have the best start in their lives, and the opportunity to play safely in an outdoor environment is something that every child should be able to do – no matter what physical or mental disabilities they may have.

“One of my great pleasures is to spend time with my two grandchildren at the local parks.

“I am delighted that we have been able to work together across all the parties to bring forward this motion which will ensure that as our playgrounds need replacing, and where practical to do so, we will incorporate inclusivity as a foundational principle.”

The council has also agreed to work closely with its planning department to encourage Inclusive Playgrounds into the planning and approval processes for new developments. It will also explore the feasibility of developing a planning policy, through the new Local Plan, to include a requirement to deliver Inclusive Playgrounds.

The motion was bought before the committee by Cllr Chika Akinwale and seconded by Cllr Alan Sharp.

Councillors have agreed the first step towards making playgrounds in East Cambridgeshire more inclusive for all children and young people.

They unanimously agreed a cross-party motion at Thursday’s Full Council meeting (23 May 2024), which recognises the essential role of play in child development. The motion also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for outdoor play that can been accessed by all children, including those with mobility disabilities, such as wheelchair users.

The council will now carry out an independent audit of all 27 playgrounds it maintains, which provide a range of facilities for toddlers, juniors and youths.

Parish councils will also be contacted and invited to submit to the council playgrounds within their control for the same independent audit.

A budget of up to £25,000 has been set aside to carry out the audit.

Once complete, the council will develop an inclusive Playground Strategy which looks at what can be achieved in the short, medium and long term, explore possible funding opportunities and create a toolkit to help deliver improvements which will be made when the existing equipment needs replacing.

Cllr Mark Goldsack, who was voted in at the meeting as chair of the council for the second consecutive year, said: “Children and young people deserve to have the best start in their lives, and the opportunity to play safely in an outdoor environment is something that every child should be able to do – no matter what physical or mental disabilities they may have.

“One of my great pleasures is to spend time with my two grandchildren at the local parks.

“I am delighted that we have been able to work together across all the parties to bring forward this motion which will ensure that as our playgrounds need replacing, and where practical to do so, we will incorporate inclusivity as a foundational principle.”

The council has also agreed to work closely with its planning department to encourage Inclusive Playgrounds into the planning and approval processes for new developments. It will also explore the feasibility of developing a planning policy, through the new Local Plan, to include a requirement to deliver Inclusive Playgrounds.

The motion was bought before the committee by Cllr Chika Akinwale and seconded by Cllr Alan Sharp.