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2010-12
Type
House
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2010-12 (24)
Year
Department
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Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has allocated for provision of children's and young people's play areas in Hartlepool constituency in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department has allocated for provision of children's and young people's play areas in Hartlepool constituency in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Iain Wright
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Teather
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 December 2011
For answer on
20 December 2011
Answered on
30 January 2012
The Department has not allocated funding for provision of children's and young people's play areas to Hartlepool or any local area or authority in the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The Department's play capital programme finished at the end of March 2011, as originally intended under the previous Government's Play Strategy.The Government recognise how important it is that children have safe, local places to play, and the benefits these places bring to the wider community more generally. However, it is not for central Government to determine what play facilities are available in local areas, or to tell the experts in the play sector how to deliver play provision. Children, parents, play professionals and local communities best know what is most needed in their local areas.The Government are moving control over local decisions and expenditure away from the centre, giving communities more control over developments in their neighbourhoods, and making it easier for volunteers and charities to get involved. This approach should provide the freedom and flexibility for local areas to meet their own priorities for spending, which may include play, and make the most of the resources available.
Subjects
Playgrounds; Hartlepool
Date
30 January 2012
Reference
87784; 539 c434-5W
House
House of Commons
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on children being charged to use local playground facilities.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on children being charged to use local playground facilities.
Asked by
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Hanham
(Conservative)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 December 2011
The Government do not expect local authorities to address their financial challenges simply by increasing fees and charges. We have given local authorities much greater financial autonomy and flexibility to manage their budgets and have encouraged them to share back-office services, join forces to get better value from their buying power, cutting out excessive chief executive pay and rooting out overspending and waste. I would note that in some local authorities, such as the London Borough of Islington, playgrounds levy charges for extra services, such as providing supervised care.
Subjects
Fees and charges; Playgrounds
Date
1 December 2011
Reference
13604; 733 c87WA
House
House of Lords
Despite receiving £20 million of cuts—£5 million more than Wandsworth borough council, and £15 million more than Bexley—Bolton's labour-run council will not be charging children to play. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Bolton council on protecting children from the Government's huge cuts?
Despite receiving £20 million of cuts—£5 million more than Wandsworth borough council, and £15 million more than Bexley—Bolton's labour-run council will not be charging children to play. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Bolton council on protecting children from the Government's huge cuts?
Asked by
Yasmin Qureshi
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 June 2011
Of course, that is because Bolton receives an enormous grant from the Government.
Subjects
Children; Fees and charges; Playgrounds; Bolton
Date
20 June 2011
Reference
530 c18-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
We have already heard today about the concerns over the level of charges being raised on the old and vulnerable in our communities as a result of the cuts, but it is not only those people who are facing increases in charges. Tory-run Wandsworth and Bexley councils are planning to charge children to play on their swings. Will the Secretary of State join me in condemning this fun tax, or is pay to play now official Government policy?
We have already heard today about the concerns over the level of charges being raised on the old and vulnerable in our communities as a result of the cuts, but it is not only those people who are facing increases in charges. Tory-run Wandsworth and Bexley councils are planning to charge children to play on their swings. Will the Secretary of State join me in condemning this fun tax, or is pay to play now official Government policy?
Asked by
Caroline Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 June 2011
Let us be clear: under the Labour Administration councils were harangued about not charging. Councils were instructed to charge more. We will look at the level of charging in the context of the reform of local government finance, but it ill becomes the Labour party to suggest what the right hon. Lady is now suggesting when under Labour charges went up and the council tax doubled.
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Fees and charges; Local government finance; Playgrounds
Date
20 June 2011
Reference
530 c17
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Of course, that is because Bolton receives an enormous grant from the Government.
Of course, that is because Bolton receives an enormous grant from the Government.
Answered by
Lord Pickles
(Conservative)
Asked by
Yasmin Qureshi
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Type
Oral answers to questions
Despite receiving £20 million of cuts—£5 million more than Wandsworth borough council, and £15 million more than Bexley—Bolton's labour-run council will not be charging children to play. Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Bolton council on protecting children from the Government's huge cuts?
Subjects
Children; Fees and charges; Playgrounds; Bolton
Date
20 June 2011
Reference
530 c18-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Yasmin Qureshi
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Pickles
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Communities and Local Government
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 June 2011
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Children; Fees and charges; Playgrounds; Bolton
Date
20 June 2011
Reference
60304; 530 c18-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Will the Secretary of State join me in condemning the mean-spirited actions of Tory-controlled Wandsworth council, which plans to introduce a charge of £2.50 for children to play in a publicly funded playground? Children there play together regardless of income or background, and for many local children the playground is their back garden, because they live in high-rise flats. Is this localism in action, or will the Secretary of State assure the House that the Government will press councils to ensure that this is not a slippery slope towards a price tag on playtime? [Interruption.]
Will the Secretary of State join me in condemning the mean-spirited actions of Tory-controlled Wandsworth council, which plans to introduce a charge of £2.50 for children to play in a publicly funded playground? Children there play together regardless of income or background, and for many local children the playground is their back garden, because they live in high-rise flats. Is this localism in action, or will the Secretary of State assure the House that the Government will press councils to ensure that this is not a slippery slope towards a price tag on playtime? [Interruption.]
Asked by
Sharon Hodgson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 May 2011
As my hon. Friends point out, a slippery slope is often something we would want in a playground. In fairness, however, as the hon. Lady pointed out, we want to ensure that children have the opportunity to play and enjoy play without fees or bureaucracy getting in the way. It is one of the responsibilities of local authorities to ensure that children have an opportunity to play freely, but it is also the responsibility of central Government to sweep away some of the ridiculous health and safety regulations that the previous Government put in place to prevent our young children from enjoying themselves properly.
Subjects
Fees and charges; Playgrounds; Schools; Cambridgeshire
Date
23 May 2011
Reference
528 c628
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Department provides to local authorities for the purposes of maintaining playgrounds; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Department provides to local authorities for the purposes of maintaining playgrounds; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Jim Cunningham
(Labour)
Answered by
Robert Neill
(Conservative)
Answering body
Communities and Local Government
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 January 2011
For answer on
24 January 2011
Answered on
26 January 2011
Formula grant is an unhypothecated block grant i.e. authorities are free to spend it on any service. For this reason, and due to the method of calculating formula grant, particularly floor damping, it is not possible to say how much grant has been provided for any particular service, including maintaining playgrounds.
Subjects
Finance; Playgrounds
Date
26 January 2011
Reference
36111; 522 c311W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for capital expenditure on children's playgrounds after the end of the Play Pathfinder funding scheme period in 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for capital expenditure on children's playgrounds after the end of the Play Pathfinder funding scheme period in 2011.
Asked by
Chuka Umunna
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Teather
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 November 2010
For answer on
24 November 2010
Answered on
17 January 2011
The Government acknowledge how important it is that children and families have safe, free local places to play and also recognise the benefits these places bring to the wider community more generally.However, the fiscal position that Government have inherited means that difficult decisions have to be taken to tackle the deficit. The Department has no plans in the next spending review period to fund a central capital programme dedicated to improving play facilities. It will be for each local authority, with its local partners, to determine its own local priorities.For the future, Government want to move control over local expenditure away from the centre, so that decisions on what gets built where are taken locally, to make the most of the limited resource available.One of the big successes of the current play programme has been the involvement of community groups in helping to improve the availability and quality of local play areas, and we want this level of community engagement to continue. This should provide an opportunity for children and young people, committed individuals and local groups to continue to influence the development of play facilities in their areas.
Subjects
Finance; Playgrounds
Date
17 January 2011
Reference
26635; 521 c599-600W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the provision of outdoor play space at free schools.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the provision of outdoor play space at free schools.
Asked by
William Bain
(Labour)
Answered by
Nick Gibb
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 October 2010
For answer on
28 October 2010
Answered on
8 December 2010
Free schools are subject to the requirements of The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010. These regulations require that there should be appropriate arrangements for providing outside space for pupils to play safely.The terms of reference for the current review of capital investment in schools, early years, colleges and sixth forms include the review and reform of the requirements on schools including regulations, design requirements and playing field requirements.
Subjects
Playgrounds; Free schools
Date
8 December 2010
Reference
20740; 520 c352W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to take final decisions on the funding of Playbuilder projects.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to take final decisions on the funding of Playbuilder projects.
Asked by
Angela C Smith
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Teather
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 October 2010
For answer on
20 October 2010
Answered on
15 November 2010
Decisions have now been taken on savings to the 2010-11 play capital budget. A total of £20.8 million has been saved from this years play budget, reducing the original figure from £75 million to £54.2 million.The Department wrote to local authorities in July asking them to give us information on the status of their 2010-11 play projects. We said the Department would cover the cost of play areas which local authorities had already completed this year or where groundwork had already started and, subject to affordability, ensure that local authorities did not need to break any contractual commitments they had already entered into.I am pleased to be able to report that we have been able to achieve this aim. All local authorities will receive almost two-thirds of their original allocations and we have also provided additional funding to 49 authorities who have contractual commitments that would otherwise exceed their revised allocation.The Secretary of State has written to local authorities informing them of the completion of the savings exercise, notifying them of their revised play capital funding allocations for this financial year and reminding them that the ring-fence has been removed from this grant in order to provide local authorities with more flexibility to manage their own local budgets.It is now for local authorities and their partners to make decisions on which local projects progress. There will be no centrally made judgement on which individual projects progress.
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
15 November 2010
Reference
18500; 518 c595-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to announce his decision on the future of support for Playbuilder schemes; and if he will take steps to ensure that support for local community groups operating such schemes is maintained at no less than present levels.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to announce his decision on the future of support for Playbuilder schemes; and if he will take steps to ensure that support for local community groups operating such schemes is maintained at no less than present levels.
Asked by
Nicholas Dakin
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Teather
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 September 2010
For answer on
11 October 2010
Answered on
15 November 2010
Decisions have now been taken on savings to the 2010-11 play capital budget. A total of £20.8 million has been saved from this years play budget, reducing the original figure from £75 million to £54.2 million.Revised allocations for this year have been communicated to local authorities. All local authorities will receive almost two-thirds of their original allocation. We have also provided additional funding to 49 local authorities who have contractual commitments that would otherwise exceed their revised allocation.One of the big successes of the play programme has been the involvement of community groups in helping to improve the availability and quality of local play areas, and we want this level of community engagement to continue. We also recognise the huge efforts of local authorities, partner agencies, the play sector and industry in improving facilities for children across the country.For the future, the Government want to give local people more control over what local money is spent on, and what gets built where, to make the most of the limited resources available. Play England will be providing specific advice and help to communities and local authorities in the current financial year.
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
15 November 2010
Reference
16091; 518 c595W
House
House of Commons
The Minister may be aware that I have made several representations on this subject regarding a number of play parks in my constituency, including in Winterton, Keadby, Crowle and Burringham. What is now coming back from some of those is the fact that there have been several delays in the process, through the fault of the local councils over the years. May we have an assurance that the Department will look favourably on the cases of park bids that have been delayed because of problems within the local authorities?
The Minister may be aware that I have made several representations on this subject regarding a number of play parks in my constituency, including in Winterton, Keadby, Crowle and Burringham. What is now coming back from some of those is the fact that there have been several delays in the process, through the fault of the local councils over the years. May we have an assurance that the Department will look favourably on the cases of park bids that have been delayed because of problems within the local authorities?
Asked by
Andrew Percy
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Education
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 October 2010
Again, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and his concern for that important matter, but it is not for the Department for Education to specify which particular play projects are to go ahead. That area is not ring-fenced; it is up to the local authorities. Once we make the further announcement following the comprehensive spending review, I very much hope that those projects that are to go ahead do so with all speed.
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
We believe that it is important that there are safe, free local places to play. However, the Department inherited unaffordable spending commitments for this year, and play has therefore had to make a contribution to the savings needed.
Local authorities will be told of their revised allocations within the next month, soon after the comprehensive spending review, and it will be for them to decide which play areas proceed, according to their own local priorities. Local authorities are not required to inform my Department of their decisions.
We believe that it is important that there are safe, free local places to play. However, the Department inherited unaffordable spending commitments for this year, and play has therefore had to make a contribution to the savings needed.
Local authorities will be told of their revised allocations within the next month, soon after the comprehensive spending review, and it will be for them to decide which play areas proceed, according to their own local priorities. Local authorities are not required to inform my Department of their decisions.
Answered by
Tim Loughton
(Conservative)
Asked by
Bill Esterson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Oral answers to questions
How many proposed play areas planned to be built under the playbuilders scheme after July 2010 will not proceed.
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
All local authorities, including Blackpool, have provided financial information on their 2010-11 play programmes and this is being considered by our Department. However, as I said earlier, the Department is not making judgments on the relative merits of individual sites, and does not hold this information. Local authorities will be notified within the next month of their revised play capital allocations. It will then be for local authorities to decide which play areas go ahead, based on local needs.
All local authorities, including Blackpool, have provided financial information on their 2010-11 play programmes and this is being considered by our Department. However, as I said earlier, the Department is not making judgments on the relative merits of individual sites, and does not hold this information. Local authorities will be notified within the next month of their revised play capital allocations. It will then be for local authorities to decide which play areas go ahead, based on local needs.
Answered by
Tim Loughton
(Conservative)
Asked by
Gordon Marsden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Oral answers to questions
What recent assessment he has made of the merits of year 3 play pathfinder projects in Blackpool.
Subjects
Playgrounds; Blackpool
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c15
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Again, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and his concern for that important matter, but it is not for the Department for Education to specify which particular play projects are to go ahead. That area is not ring-fenced; it is up to the local authorities. Once we make the further announcement following the comprehensive spending review, I very much hope that those projects that are to go ahead do so with all speed.
Again, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and his concern for that important matter, but it is not for the Department for Education to specify which particular play projects are to go ahead. That area is not ring-fenced; it is up to the local authorities. Once we make the further announcement following the comprehensive spending review, I very much hope that those projects that are to go ahead do so with all speed.
Answered by
Tim Loughton
(Conservative)
Asked by
Andrew Percy
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Oral answers to questions
The Minister may be aware that I have made several representations on this subject regarding a number of play parks in my constituency, including in Winterton, Keadby, Crowle and Burringham. What is now coming back from some of those is the fact that there have been several delays in the process, through the fault of the local councils over the years. May we have an assurance that the Department will look favourably on the cases of park bids that have been delayed because of problems within the local authorities?
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I think we all agree with the hon. Gentleman about the importance of play in so many different areas. It can help to affect social divisions, obesity and other health measures. Of course, we fully share his aspirations and, I am sure, those of the people behind the project in Aintree village. I pay tribute to the people in his constituency and in other communities who have striven hard for those play areas, but I repeat that the play funding was based on the dodgy accounting of the previous Government's end-year flexibility system. On that basis, I am afraid that it has had to be reviewed, but I hope that there will be money forthcoming in due course so that other projects can proceed. He will hear about that in the next few weeks.
I think we all agree with the hon. Gentleman about the importance of play in so many different areas. It can help to affect social divisions, obesity and other health measures. Of course, we fully share his aspirations and, I am sure, those of the people behind the project in Aintree village. I pay tribute to the people in his constituency and in other communities who have striven hard for those play areas, but I repeat that the play funding was based on the dodgy accounting of the previous Government's end-year flexibility system. On that basis, I am afraid that it has had to be reviewed, but I hope that there will be money forthcoming in due course so that other projects can proceed. He will hear about that in the next few weeks.
Answered by
Tim Loughton
(Conservative)
Asked by
Bill Esterson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Oral answers to questions
Aintree village is one of the areas in my constituency that was due to benefit from a new play area. One reason that residents and the parish council wanted the play area was to tackle childhood obesity. Does the Minister agree with me, and with residents in Aintree and across Sefton, that decent-quality play areas are a good way to tackle childhood obesity? What measures will he take to support local authorities and others who wish to see the kind of support needed to tackle childhood obesity?
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As I said before and as the hon. Gentleman would have heard, we are very much in favour of promoting play as much as possible because of the many social health benefits that it brings. When the allocations are determined after the spending review coming up, I hope the local authority in Blackpool will decide its priorities according to local needs—we have given local authorities that power—and proceed to promote the play schemes that it considers most appropriate for the local area.
As I said before and as the hon. Gentleman would have heard, we are very much in favour of promoting play as much as possible because of the many social health benefits that it brings. When the allocations are determined after the spending review coming up, I hope the local authority in Blackpool will decide its priorities according to local needs—we have given local authorities that power—and proceed to promote the play schemes that it considers most appropriate for the local area.
Answered by
Tim Loughton
(Conservative)
Asked by
Gordon Marsden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Type
Oral answers to questions
Eleven play pathfinder projects in Blackpool are waiting with bated breath for those allocations. That includes the Fishers Field project in my constituency, which is a highly imaginative but complex project involving new playing fields and a natural park. I hear what the Minister says, but his colleague the Secretary of State, in reply to me earlier in the summer, said he was clear about the needs of Blackpool in terms of deprivation, mobility and general problems in that area. Will the Minister pass on the message that the people of Blackpool would like to see such projects go ahead?
Subjects
Playgrounds; Blackpool
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c15-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Eleven play pathfinder projects in Blackpool are waiting with bated breath for those allocations. That includes the Fishers Field project in my constituency, which is a highly imaginative but complex project involving new playing fields and a natural park. I hear what the Minister says, but his colleague the Secretary of State, in reply to me earlier in the summer, said he was clear about the needs of Blackpool in terms of deprivation, mobility and general problems in that area. Will the Minister pass on the message that the people of Blackpool would like to see such projects go ahead?
Eleven play pathfinder projects in Blackpool are waiting with bated breath for those allocations. That includes the Fishers Field project in my constituency, which is a highly imaginative but complex project involving new playing fields and a natural park. I hear what the Minister says, but his colleague the Secretary of State, in reply to me earlier in the summer, said he was clear about the needs of Blackpool in terms of deprivation, mobility and general problems in that area. Will the Minister pass on the message that the people of Blackpool would like to see such projects go ahead?
Asked by
Gordon Marsden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 October 2010
As I said before and as the hon. Gentleman would have heard, we are very much in favour of promoting play as much as possible because of the many social health benefits that it brings. When the allocations are determined after the spending review coming up, I hope the local authority in Blackpool will decide its priorities according to local needs—we have given local authorities that power—and proceed to promote the play schemes that it considers most appropriate for the local area.
Subjects
Playgrounds; Blackpool
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c15-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Aintree village is one of the areas in my constituency that was due to benefit from a new play area. One reason that residents and the parish council wanted the play area was to tackle childhood obesity. Does the Minister agree with me, and with residents in Aintree and across Sefton, that decent-quality play areas are a good way to tackle childhood obesity? What measures will he take to support local authorities and others who wish to see the kind of support needed to tackle childhood obesity?
Aintree village is one of the areas in my constituency that was due to benefit from a new play area. One reason that residents and the parish council wanted the play area was to tackle childhood obesity. Does the Minister agree with me, and with residents in Aintree and across Sefton, that decent-quality play areas are a good way to tackle childhood obesity? What measures will he take to support local authorities and others who wish to see the kind of support needed to tackle childhood obesity?
Asked by
Bill Esterson
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 October 2010
I think we all agree with the hon. Gentleman about the importance of play in so many different areas. It can help to affect social divisions, obesity and other health measures. Of course, we fully share his aspirations and, I am sure, those of the people behind the project in Aintree village. I pay tribute to the people in his constituency and in other communities who have striven hard for those play areas, but I repeat that the play funding was based on the dodgy accounting of the previous Government's end-year flexibility system. On that basis, I am afraid that it has had to be reviewed, but I hope that there will be money forthcoming in due course so that other projects can proceed. He will hear about that in the next few weeks.
Subjects
Construction; Playgrounds
Date
11 October 2010
Reference
516 c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons