Just three Perth and Kinross play parks have so far benefited from Scottish Government funding aimed at improving all of Scotland’s play areas.
The SNP ’s 2021 Holyrood election manifesto pledged to “renew every play park in Scotland”.
To date Perth and Kinross Council has received £140,000 from an initial £5 million shared out between all 32 local authorities.
Perth and Kinross Council provides and maintains 149 play parks.
The three Perth and Kinross play parks to benefit from funding in 2021/22 were: the North Inch in Perth; Larghan Victory Park in Coupar Angus, and Victoria Park in Aberfeldy.
The play area at Perth’s North Inch has been extended. A new climbing unit has been installed at Larghan Victory Park in Coupar Angus, while the shade sail shelter at Aberfeldy’s Victoria Park has been replaced.
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes asked for an update on funding provision at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s Scrutiny and Performance Committee on June 8.
Perth and Kinross Council ’s head of environment and consumer services Mark Butterworth told the committee: “We have certainly received a significant amount of money from the Scottish Government to improve our parks and we are hoping to receive some more funding as part of the second tranche.”
Following the meeting Perth and Kinross Council was able to provide further detail on the parks - listed above - which had benefited.
A PKC spokesperson added: “The Scottish Government made a commitment to renew play parks across Scotland, so that all children have access to quality play in their own community and as part of this established a £60m fund.
“An initial £5 million was made available across the 32 local authorities in Scotland in 2021/22 from this fund and Perth and Kinross Council received an allocation of £140,000, based on the agreed funding model of: 95 per cent on population aged 0-14 and five per cent on rurality.
“The funding profile of the remaining £55 million is being considered and the council will be informed of any decision as soon as this is agreed.”
Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes said: “The SNP Scottish Government made a manifesto commitment to ‘renew every play park in Scotland’.
“A typical play park will cost around £80,000 to build. There are 149 play parks across Perth and Kinross which means that PKC should receive around £12 million.
“So far we have had less than £150,000 which allowed some minor upgrades to three parks and - with less than four years to go until the end of this parliament - time to honour this commitment is quickly running out.
“I am already receiving multiple requests for a new play park in Errol. One of the parents is telling me that the swings her children play on are the same ones she played on as a child.
“I will be holding the SNP Government and the new convener of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee to account for this until those play parks are completed.”
