Improved play areas for Brighton and Hove

Starting from April 2009, Brighton and Hove will receive £1.1m to improve existing children’s play areas and to create exciting new ones.

The city was originally due to receive the funding in April 2010 however, as part of the government’s drive to get the country through the economic downturn, Labour’s Children’s Secretary Ed Balls announced last week that £30m of the funding has been brought forward to 2009/10.

Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Gill Mitchell says:

“This is a great Christmas surprise for children and families in Brighton and Hove.  It means we can develop and rebuild children’s play areas across our communities.

I want to make sure that this funding is properly spent where it is needed most and local parents and children must be able to give their views on which areas should be rebuilt or where there is a need for new play facilities.

Earlier this year, the Conservative Council refused the Labour Group’s request to earmark and extra £300,000 in their budget for children’s playground improvements so I am delighted that the Labour Government is stepping in with this cash.”

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said:

“We know that children need play to develop the skills for a successful future.  Through the government’s Play Strategy we are ensuring that all our new investment is shaped by local consultation and we are wholeheartedly supporting community-led projects.”

The funding allocations are being made as part of the first anniversary of the government’s Children’s Plan which announced the biggest ever  investment in children’s play – a total of £235m over three years.