Issue - meetings

The action sheet arising from the Joint Scrutiny (Budget Monitoring) Committee held on 23^rd November, 2020 was submitted, whereupon:-

Item 8 – Capital Budget Monitoring – 2020/21

Quarter 1 –  Splash Pad Funding Allocation / Play Equipment

In response to a question raised, a Member explained that following discussions at the previous meeting it was reported that the decision to reallocate the splash pad funding was taken under delegated powers by CLT in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

A Member said he had requested the information on the spend on children’s play grounds following issues raised in relation to the splash pad funding, and the fact that some Members felt there was a lack of transparency in the course of actions taken since the splash pad was initially earmarked for Parc Bryn Bach. 

The Member then referred to the funding breakdown provided (attached to the Action Sheet) and expressed concern regarding the equity of funding across the Borough as the majority of the projects were in the eastern valley.

In response the Chief Officer Resources explained that the £185k spend at Parc Bryn Bach was funded through the Welsh Government Valleys Regional Parks initiative, and was included within the briefing note to provide Members with the total spend and investment in play areas across the Borough.

A Member sought assurance that the funding for play equipment had been spread equitably across the Borough.

In response the Head of Community Services said all the information had been provided in the briefing note attached to the Action Sheet, and confirmed that the funding had been allocated in line with the priorities identified in the Council’s agreed play area strategy.

Another Member referred to the list of projects and pointed out that the works were undertaken at Duffryn Park and not Central Park as reported.  She also expressed concern that local Members were not updated on the works and had not been asked for their input.

In terms of the actions taken in relation to the splash pad, a Member said it was his recollection that the Leisure Trust had stated that they were not in a position to deliver the project due to the ongoing running costs required.  He said this was reported to Members along with an explanation as to why it was intended to move the project to the Garden Festival site, i.e. in order to spend the funding rather than return it to WG.

In response a Member said he could not accept the fact that the Council submitted a bid for funding for a splash park without the knowledge that additional works would be required.  He said this was a major disappointment for the residents of Tredegar and felt that the whole situation could have been dealt with more democratically.

Revenue Budget Monitoring – 2020/21 Quarter 2 (Leisure Trust)

A Member referred to the spend on books in 2019/20 in the sum of £51,681 and said whilst it was a substantial amount of money,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5