Playgrounds axed to save money

PLANS to build more than 100 playgrounds across the region could be scrapped after the Government halted a multi-million pound programme that promised grants to local authorities.

Education Secretary Michael Gove has frozen money pledged to 132 councils that would have paid for up to 1,300 schemes, many designed by children.

The 235m Playbuilder scheme was started more than two years ago and the Department for Education (DfE) is now analysing all the projects, with only those where construction is already under way being allowed.

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Across the region 15 councils will be affected but it was unclear exactly how many play areas would be shelved.

A DfE spokesman said it had inherited "unrealistic spending commitments" and insisted it was committed to "realistic and affordable" investment.

But the cuts were attacked by health charities as well as local authorities.

Betty McBride, British Heart Foundation policy and communications director, said: "When only one in 10 youngsters get enough exercise, playgrounds can provide a cheap, fun and easy way for children to get active outdoors.

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"In light of this, the decision to stop work on new playgrounds is a worrying example of a knee-jerk reaction to cost cutting. It'll end up costing society more in the long run as we continue our fight against childhood obesity."

Calderdale Council said seven of their schemes were on hold, York said 22, Hull and Leeds could lose 10 each, North East Lincolnshire has put 11 on hold and 17 are in the balance across North Yorkshire.

Coun Judith Blake, executive member for children's services at Leeds City Council claimed the Government was "targeting children".

"This is a short-sighted decision and one which I believe the Government will come to regret, these play areas have been designed in consultation with local communities and it is those local communities who will be feeling the most let down."

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Both Leeds and Hull has either built or at least started work on 11 play areas, North Yorkshire and Wakefield have completed 12 and a spokesman for East Riding Council said all of their schemes were built but some training and running costs would be scaled down.

Coun David O 'Neill, Calderdale Council's cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: "We will continue to do all we can to provide the best possible play facilities for the people of Calderdale. However, withdrawal of this funding will severely affect our ability to deliver the above schemes."

Barnsley, Bradford, Doncaster, Kirklees, North Lincolnshire, Rotherham and Sheffield councils either could not say how they would be affected or failed to respond to the inquiry.

Adrian Voce, director of the charity Play England, said: "We don't argue that play spaces should be out of bounds for cuts when all areas of public spending are being cut.

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"But play shouldn't be seen as a soft target either, play should not be first in line for cuts, or indeed suffer disproportionately to other areas of children's services."

Labour leadership candidates Ed Balls and Andy Burnham, the former Ministers for Education and Health, launched the scheme in 2008.

Mr Balls, now Shadow Education Secretary, urged Mr Gove to "come clean" and publish a list of all play areas to be scrapped.

MAIN POINTS

Fifteen councils across the region to be affected by the halting of the 235m Playbuilder scheme.

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Only programmes where work has already started are guaranteed to receive funding.

So far, seven local authorities have confirmed that 77 schemes are on hold, with the remaining eight yet to reveal how they will be hit.

At least 46 schemes in the region have already been built or work has started on the site.