News
Council learns from mistakes
Walsall Council has announced the first proposed sites for new play areas and mini parks to be located across the borough. The £1.1 million project will receive funding from the central government Playbuilder initiative which has been set up to create and improve play spaces for 8 – 13 year-olds. However, rather than rush through with the proposals, council chiefs have introduced a note of caution and are stressing the importance of consultation with local residents.
Following two humiliating u-turns on the controversial Chuckery Youth Centre, council leaders have learnt that the views of the public cannot be ignored and Wednesday night`s cabinet meeting resolved to proceed with the scheme provided that there is full consultation. Deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew said: “I am cautious about putting these things next to peoples` homes; we do not want to create white elephants”.
A total of 22 potential sites have been earmarked for development and the first phase of work could start within the next six weeks. The possible locations include: Anson Road and Poplar Avenue, both in Bentley, Croft Street, Birchills, Tyne Close, Brownhills, William Street, Butts, Sneyd Lane, New Invention, White Horse Road, Newtown, Foley Road East, Streetly, Druid`s Walk, Walsall Wood and Dovedale Avenue and Greaves Crescent in Willenhall.
Cabinet member for leisure and culture, Barry Sanders revealed that 78% of households in Walsall currently do not have access to a park or play area. “We do not want to put these play areas in places where the majority of people do not want them” he said, “I would expect the least controversial schemes to start within six weeks but we have not yet decided which locations that will be”.
As with the Chuckery Youth Centre, the government funding is time limited and at least half of the facilities have to be in place by 2009/2010. Given the need for design and development work, it is not clear if such a tight time-scale will allow for any, let alone full, consultation with local residents.