Big Lottery Fund grant for North Dorset Strategic Play Programme The
BLF grant of £200k will fund a major component of
the North Dorset Strategic Play programme for 2007 - 2010 and supports the delivery of the wider Dorset
Play Strategy. In particular, it will deliver improved play facilities in two of the most deprived areas in the county
and district, namely Stourpaine Parish and Rixon Estate in Sturminster Newton; revamp 3 sterile play
facilities in the district’s fastest growing town, Gillingham; upgrade unattractive teens play provision
in two of the most populated parishes, Marnhull and Blandford St Mary; and provide new facilities in
the south western (Winterborne Stickland) and eastern (Farnham) areas of the district where there is
a deficit in play provision. The portfolio will be
used to engage children and young people to help with basic maintenance and drive the use of these new
play areas especially in Blandford St Mary, Stourpaine and Rixon Estate where the roads are often used
for play. Surveys of children and young people will also be conducted at the start, end of year two and on completion
of the grant period to assess their involvement in the delivery of the portfolio. The
need for new and improved play facilities was identified in both our Open Spaces Audit in 2006, the
continuous flow of Parish and Community Plans and in consultations with children and young people across
the district. Based on the evidence the Council decided to use this opportunity to make available the resources allocated
to the district for play spaces in the towns and parishes. A
major review of all parishes and towns was conducted in 2005/06 to ascertain the readiness/willingness
of parishes, towns and community groups to participate in the Children’s Play Programme, and create,
improve/develop their local play spaces. Responses were received from 42 of the 58 parishes and all the market towns in the district. A total of seven projects were finally selected for the North Dorset Portfolio of projects to the Children’s
Play Programme from sixteen applications requesting over £442k. To ensure the
funds are delivered directly to the communities the district decided to use its internal staff resources
to manage the portfolio. In addition to these savings, we expect this approach to bring in at least another £111k in match funding
from parishes, Town Councils and other partners to enhance play provision across the district. The
District takes this opportunity to join you in sharing the excitement of being able to contribute to
the transformation of children’s play across England and in North Dorset, in particular. For
further information on the programme and its implementation please contact Regeneration
Policy Manager, Hilary Ritchie on 01258-484005. 
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