FOI Request - Play Parks - Maintenance, Funding, Disabilities and ASN Provision

Request 101003793608

1.  Total number of play parks:

(i)  Assessed as requiring repair or renewal as of 5 May 2021, and the most recent total as of 2024 (or latest available date).  
(ii)  Please also provide this as a percentage of the total number of play parks in your authority.

2.  The number of play parks that have been:

(i)  Repaired, refurbished, or fully renewed using funding from the Scottish Government's £60 million national play park investment programme during this period (05.05.2021 to latest available date).
(ii)  Please provide this figure as a percentage of the total number of play parks).

3.  The total amount of funding:

(i)  Received by your local authority from the Scottish Government's play park renewal programme since 5 May 2021 (to latest available date).
(ii)  The amount spent to date.
(iii) Please also confirm whether any portion of this funding remains unallocated or has been returned.

4.  The number of play parks that have:

(i)  Been permanently closed, decommissioned, or removed in your local authority area since 5 May 2021.
(ii)  Please also provide this as a percentage of the total number of play parks.

5.  Of the play parks renewed or repaired using Scottish Government funding since 5 May 2021:

(i)  How many included the installation of inclusive or accessible play equipment for children with disabilities or additional support needs?
(ii)  Please also express this figure as a percentage of all funded play park projects.

Response 17-06-2025

1.  The Council inspects and manages 122 play areas.

(i)  Information is not held for repairs as repair works is usually carried out at the time of inspection or as part of routine work.  One play park was prioritised for renewal in 2021 and 4 play parks have been prioritised for renewal in 2025/26.

(ii)  Play areas prioritised for whole renewal since 2021 to date (9.82%)
• Rothes Play Park, Rothes
• Morven Play Park, Findochty
• Logie play park, Cullen
• Mayne Park, Elgin
• Ferrier Terrace, Elgin
• Mannachie Play Park, Forres
• Letterfourie, Buckie
• Tomnavoulin, Speyside
• Pilmuir Play Area, Forres
• Hopeman Play Park, Hopeman
• Cooper Park, Elgin

2.

(i)  24

(ii) 19.67%

3.

(i)  

2021/22 - £92k received and spent
2022/23 - £94k received and spent
2023/24 - £188k received  (note part spent with £80k carried forward into 2024/25 due to timing of works)
2024/25 - £282k received (note part spent with £190k to be carried forward in to 2025/26 due to timing of works)
2025/26 - £469k received (note £2628.93  of this funding spent to date with remainder to be committed by Mach 2026)

(ii)  

2021/22 - £92k received and spent
2022/23 - £94k received and spent
2023/24 - £188k received  (note £108k spent in 2023/24 with £80k carried forward and spent in 2024/25 due to timing of works)
2024/25 - £282k received (note £92k spent in 2024/25 with £190k carried forward and spent in 2025/26 due to timing of works)
2025/26 - £469k received (note £90k spent of 2024/25 carry forward, £100k of 2024/25 carry forward works committed with works ongoing; and £2628.93 spent to date from 2025/26 budget.  Remainder of the 2025/26 budget to be committed by March 2026.

(iii) See responses at 3(i) and 3 (ii).

4.

(i)  Nil.

(ii) Nil.

5.

(i)  Whole play area renewals: 7  (All play renewal projects request some of the items to be inclusive and suitable for children with additional support needs.  This is identified and agreed through local participatory budgeting consultations).

(ii)  100%