Play areas across B&NES are not being lost – they are being “repurposed”.

That was cabinet member, Paul Crossley’s response, after he was handed a petition from Somer Valley residents accusing the Council of “selling off the family silver”. He said users had been consulted, but no decisions had been made. 

Quoting from the 25-signature petition at Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Councillor Eleanor Jackson said: “We petition the administration to reconsider the decision to dispose of the family silver, i.e. eleven children’s community playgrounds. 

“These well-loved, much used areas are essential to young people’s mental health and physical wellbeing, and the creation of community spirit in long-established villages and new estates. 

“The safety and security of children is our highest priority, and we expect the professional standards of care and maintenance to be retained.”

B&NES Council provides sixty play areas, with others provided by Curo and Town and Parish Councils.

Cllr Jackson added: “If the [children’s] opportunities for outdoor play are reduced, the likelihood of their health problems is increased.

She said there had been a lack of transparency and consultation about the future of the play areas, a charge that Cllr Crossley denied.

The cabinet member for communities said: “We are looking to move to imaginative play. It has been proven around the country to get more children playing for longer. 

“We are putting in new play equipment across the authority, including the first disabled wheelchair-friendly roundabout.

“None of this has been done secretly. There has been consultation with a range of people. Decisions have not yet been made.” 

Cllr Richard Samuel, cabinet member for resources, said the council would spend £325,000 on improvements to play facilities by the end of the financial year.

Stephen Sumner LDRS