Agenda item

Mover – Councillor Kitching

Seconder – Councillor Fielding

The Council notes the importance of inclusive playgrounds for disabled children for early childhood development and community integration for the whole family. The Council further notes with concern findings from the disability equality charity Scope that half of families across England and Wales with disabled children have accessibility problems with their local playground.

This Council recognises the need to improve playgrounds across Barnsley borough to achieve inclusivity for the community and to work with families of disabled children to guide the development of inclusive playgrounds.

This Council believes:

·         That playgrounds are important spaces for community engagement and childhood development, and these spaces should be built with inclusivity as a core principle.

·         That playgrounds in this area should be improved to ensure they include accessible design and inclusive equipment that disabled children can engage with.

·         That all children have a right to play and this should be reflected in the community play spaces.

The Council resolves:

·         To embed principles of inclusive design to ensure that going forward every development or refurbishment of a council playground in Barnsley considers inclusivity.

·         To seek opportunities to embed inclusive design through Council strategies for local planning and community spaces.

·         To adequately consult with parents and carers of disabled children, and those with lived experience, to inform the design of inclusive playgrounds so they are appropriate for the community spaces.

·         To champion the rights of disabled children to play alongside their peers.

·         To advertise accessibility measures and inclusive equipment of local play areas to local residents, via the Council website, the Council social media channels and relevant local information boards.

The following motion, submitted in accordance with Standing Order No 6 was:

Moved by Councillor Kitching – Seconded by Councillor Fielding:-

The Council notes the importance of inclusive playgrounds for disabled children for early childhood development and community integration for the whole family. The Council further notes with concern findings from the disability equality charity Scope that half of families across England and Wales with disabled children have accessibility problems with their local playground.

This Council recognises the need to improve playgrounds across Barnsley borough to achieve inclusivity for the community and to work with families of disabled children to guide the development of inclusive playgrounds.

This Council believes:

·         That playgrounds are important spaces for community engagement and childhood development, and these spaces should be built with inclusivity as a core principle.

·         That playgrounds in this area should be improved to ensure they include accessible design and inclusive equipment that disabled children can engage with.

·         That all children have a right to play and this should be reflected in the community play spaces.

The Council resolves:

·         To embed principles of inclusive design to ensure that going forward every development or refurbishment of a council playground in Barnsley considers inclusivity.

·         To seek opportunities to embed inclusive design through Council strategies for local planning and community spaces.

·         To adequately consult with parents and carers of disabled children, and those with lived experience, to inform the design of inclusive playgrounds so they are appropriate for the community spaces.

·         To champion the rights of disabled children to play alongside their peers.

·         To advertise accessibility measures and inclusive equipment of local play areas to local residents, via the Council website, the Council social media channels and relevant local information boards.

An amendment, submitted in accordance with Standing order No 8 was then:

Moved by Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE – Seconded by Councillor Makinson:-

The Council notes the importance of inclusive playgrounds for disabled children for early childhood development and community integration for the whole family. The Council further notes with concern findings from the disability equality charity Scope that half of families across England and Wales with disabled children have accessibility problems with their local playground.

This Council recognises that whilst there is no statutory duty to provide playgrounds, it recognises the need to improve playgrounds across Barnsley borough to achieve inclusivity for the community and to work with families of disabled children to guide the development of inclusive playgrounds.

This Council believes:

That much work has already been done in this area

·         That playgrounds are important spaces for community engagement and childhood development, and these spaces should be built with inclusivity as a core principle.

·         That playgrounds in this area should be improved to ensure they include accessible design and inclusive equipment that disabled children can engage with.

·         That all children have a right to play and this should be reflected in the community play spaces.

The Council resolves:

·         To continue to embed principles of inclusive design to ensure that going forward every development or refurbishment of a council playground in Barnsley considers inclusivity.

·         To continue to seek opportunities to embed inclusive design through Council strategies for local planning and community spaces.

·         To continue to adequately consult with parents and carers of disabled children, and those with lived experience, to inform the design of inclusive playgrounds so they are appropriate for the community spaces.

·         To champion the rights of disabled children to play alongside their peers.

·         To advertise accessibility measures and inclusive equipment of local play areas to local residents, via the Council website, the Council social media channels and relevant local information boards.

Recognising that all of the above and any implications arising from them are subject to resource availability and any practical consideration arising from the planning process.

On being put to the vote, the Amendment was WON.

The amended motion therefore became the substantive motion and was:-

Moved by Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton CBE – Seconded by Councillor Makinson; and

RESOLVED that the Council:-

i)             Continues to embed principles of inclusive design to ensure that going forward every development or refurbishment of a council playground in Barnsley considers inclusivity;

ii)            Continues to seek opportunities to embed inclusive design through Council strategies for local planning and community spaces;

iii)           Continues to adequately consult with parents and carers of disabled children, and those with lived experience, to inform the design of inclusive playgrounds so they are appropriate for the community spaces;

iv)           Champions the rights of disabled children to play alongside their peers;

v)            Advertises accessibility measures and inclusive equipment of local play areas to local residents, via the Council website, the Council social media channels and relevant local information boards; and

vi)               Recognises that all of the above and any implications arising from them are subject to resource availability and any practical consideration arising from the planning process.