Calls have been made for improvements to all playgrounds in Merthyr Tydfil by 2027 - but the independent administration have said plans are already in place. A notice of motion from the opposition Labour group to full council was voted down through a casting vote from the mayor on Wednesday, September 7.
It had called for the implementation of a structured plan to ensure that all playgrounds in all 11 electoral wards are either updated, renewed or replaced by the end of the 2026/2027 financial year. In the motion, submitted by Councillor David Jones, it said that since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, playgrounds and parks are being used more regularly by our younger residents.
It said that it is well documented that spending time recreationally in the open air helps with mental health and physical well-being. The motion also said that: “We, the Labour Group of Councillors at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, published our manifesto ahead of the May 2022 local government election, one of our six pledges was playground improvements.
