Unspent council money to be invested in neglected playgrounds and parks

Three playgrounds in Brighton, Hove and Portslade are to get an unexpected facelift after the council decided to invest money unspent elsewhere into the city’s parks.

Councillors last month agreed to divert almost £102,000 from a general budget underspend to parks and opens spaces.

Today, details were released as to exactly where it will be spent, following a question from Councillor Ollie Sykes submitted to this afternoon’s full council meeting.

Most (£82,000) will be spent on the play facilities with the remainder going on planting and general facilities in parks and open spaces.

Victoria Road Recreation Ground in Portslade will get replacement swings and an additional basket swing, Hangleton Park a replacement climber unit and Dyke Road Park repairs to a slide feature.

Work also includes replacement or repair to surfacing and new gates at a number of play areas.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Play is such an important part of what parks have to offer, so we welcome this much needed investment to carry out essential replacement work and help keep our parks safe.

“Like all councils we face the challenge of ensuring we maintain and protect our parks and open spaces with reduced budgets.

“Longer term we are improving our play areas with Section 106 planning contributions and the generous help of volunteers. We’re also taking forward our open spaces strategy which is building on the excellent work going on already and which won the city seven Green Flags this year.”

Nearly £20,000 has been allocated for planting in the Green Flag parks Easthill Memorial Garden, Preston Park, The Level, Stoneham Park, Kipling Gardens, St Ann’s Well Gardens and Hove Park, as well as improving bins in the city centre parks and signage in Kipling Gardens.

The council has also increased security in city centre parks where there has been antisocial behaviour, currently targeting Norfolk Square, St Nicholas Rest Garden, Dorset Gardens, The Level and Queens Park.

The funds have been allocated for this financial year.