Two play areas to close and job losses planned in Wolverhampton cuts package

Two play areas will to close and 11 council workers will lose their jobs under a package of cuts given the go-ahead by senior councillors.

A six-week consultation has now been launched but Wolverhampton City Council's ruling Labour cabinet will only change the plans if a 'significantly different' proposal comes up. They are hoping other organisations may run the playgrounds to keep them open.

The closures affect the adventure playgrounds at Gatis Street, Whitmore Reans and Chesterton Road, The Scotlands.

They are expected to save the authority £456,000.

Both playgrounds, along with another in Old Fallings Crescent, receive nearly 10,000 visits a years but eight play staff, two administrative posts and a part-time stores worker will be axed.

The playground at Old Fallings Crescent will be retained.

Children and families chief Councillor Val Gibson said in the meeting: "I take no pleasure in bringing this report to cabinet.

"We do not want to close these facilities.

"We plan to keep the Old Fallings Park Playground open through different funding resources.

"We will work with community groups with a view to them taking over the facilities and the council absolutely supports them."

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Councillor Steve Evans added: "I am very keen to work with community groups and I know meetings are being held to keep the running of facilities.

"I support the idea and the notion to keep Old Fallings Park Playground open.

"We will work together to move forward to find a solution because we are looking at a way forward not a closure."

A report to the council by senior council officer Andrew Wolverson said until 2012 Wolverhampton Play Service operated six adventure playgrounds across the city.

That year the council approved closing Phoenix Adventure playground, Ettingshall Adventure playground and Heath Town Adventure playground.

The report said: "The service has always targeted the most deprived areas of Wolverhampton, bringing access to high-quality play experiences that build self-confidence, self-esteem and socialisation skills."

Mr Wolverson added that the council had been set a target of cutting £1 million from its social exclusion budget for the next financial year, and closing the playgrounds would help achieve this.

Old Fallings had been selected as the best site to retain as it had been purpose built just four years ago.

"It has the widest range of facilities including specialist ones for children with disabilities," said Mr Wolverson.