Issue - meetings

To consider a request to conduct a public consultation related to the installation of 10 outdoor gyms in parks across the borough.

In March 2021 the Spelthorne Joint Committee agreed to fund the purchase and installation of 10 outdoor gyms across the borough using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.

As a result of this, the Committee considered a request from the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to conduct a public consultation exercise to ensure that the opportunity was taken to engage with and listen to residents to endeavour to meet their needs in terms of outdoor gym activities in their local parks where possible.

Equipment previously installed in an Ashford park was well used by a range of age groups and whilst there had been some vandalism initially, this had significantly reduced, was petty and generally confined to where mobile phones could be plugged into the equipment to charge.

As funding approval had already been granted and in view of the health benefits to residents (especially in light of Covid-19), it was suggested that the project move directly to the procurement stage. 

Jackie Taylor, Group Head of Neighbourhood Services, advised that this would speed up the process by approximately 3 months.  Jackie also stated that if anyone put forward specific concerns in the interim, she would be happy to discuss those with them.

The Committee resolved to authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to initiate a procurement exercise to purchase and install OGE equipment in locations considered by officers to be the most appropriate in parks as indicated in Appendix C to the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to initiate a public consultation exercise related to the installation of 10 outdoor gyms in parks across the borough.

Reason for decision:

The funding had already been agreed by the Spelthorne Joint Committee from the Community Infrastructure Levy scheme and a public consultation would delay the installation unnecessarily.