Play plan plea goes to the Prime Minister (From Oxford Mail)

Play plan plea goes to the Prime Minister

12:20pm Wednesday 14th July 2010 in News By Jen Rivett

Emma Beckett and Adrian Coomber at the play area

CHILDREN from Carterton wrote to the Prime Minister asking for their play park project to go ahead in the face of public spending cuts.

Carterton Youth Council, which is made up of young people aged 11 to 18, asked David Cameron, who is also the Witney MP, to ensure that funds of £46,000, agreed by Oxfordshire County Council earlier in the year, would still be put towards the Alvescot Road recreation ground.

The children were concerned when they found out that a pot of money called Playbuilder funding was no longer ring-fenced.

The county council is set to discuss where savings can be made across the county at a meeting on July 27.

Mr Cameron’s office wrote to the youth council to say that the decision was down to the county council and that he was sorry he was unable to offer further reassurance.

Youth council chairman Emma Beckett, 12, said: “The park project is a good thing for everyone in Carterton and it’s going to be really beneficial.

“We have had the park for 30 years now, so a lot of the equipment is really old and not very fun.”

The Burford School pupil added: “Our town really deserves this money.”

The Alvescot Road recreation ground rejuvenation project would see the play area replaced, with improved footpaths, performing space and seating.

In addition to the £46,000 promised by the county council, West Oxfordshire District Council has agreed to pay £20,000 towards the scheme.

It is hoped work could begin this autumn.

Adrian Coomber, Carterton’s deputy mayor, said: “Carterton Town Council is hopeful that the funding which has been promised by Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council, and has already been allocated to this project, will not be withdrawn retrospectively.

“The recreation ground in Alvescot Road serves a great many people in Carterton and it is time it was given the TLC it deserves.

“Phase one of this project will transform the play area, which is currently looking tired and tatty, and will provide play opportunities and seating to meet the needs of a wide age range.

“If the funding is withdrawn the project will be in real jeopardy.”

Town mayor Norman MacRae added: “Carterton Town Council actively encourages full use of the leisure facilities that we have and this funding is very key in our continuing efforts to encourage our young people to use our facilities.

“The rec is tired and needs work doing to ensure it remains a centre of recreation.

“A significant amount of time, effort and resources have already been expended on this project and it would be a dreadful waste to pull the plug now.”

County Hall spokesman Owen Morton said: “Funding for this scheme is currently subject to the county council’s review of its capital programme.

“No decision has been made.”