Wokingham

At its meeting on May 28, the Wokingham council’s decision-making executive is set to agree to accept £1.1million from the Department of Children, Schools and Families’ play builders’ fund.

If agreed by the ten-strong Wokingham executive, the money will be used to develop and enhance 22 existing playgrounds in the Wokingham Borough with the particular aim of creating play environments for children and young people aged between eight and 13 years old.

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Whilst this additional funding is good news for the council, we are very mindful that the executive recently took the decision to grass over a small number of play-grounds in the borough as part of its rationalisation programme.

“However, the new programme to encourage children to get outside and play in environments that are both attractive to them and their whole families, recently introduced by the Department of Children’s Schools and Families, will allow us to review the council’s estate of play areas. By accepting this funding, it will allow us to enhance a number of existing play areas that are loved by their local communities.

“We are committed to having many play areas in the borough and this additional money will help improve facilities for children and young people aged between eight and 13 years old.”

At this stage it is too early to say which of the Wokingham borough’s play areas will be revamped and the council’s executive will consider its implementation strategy later this year.

Wokingham Borough Council