Elected Member Briefing Note 2026, No. 76
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Andy Clegg, Community Greenspace Manager
Date: 1 July 2026
Subject: Play area inspection, maintenance and investment update
Responsible Officer: Lesley Ann Cassidy and Annabelle O'Connell, Community Greenspace Team Leaders
Details
Purpose
This briefing provides Elected Members with an update on the play area inspection and maintenance service in relation to revenue budget changes and the capital investment programme for upgrade projects in 2026/27.
Briefing Information
Our Play Maintenance and Inspection contract came in-house at the end of March 2026, bringing the Council in line with most other local authorities and, along with reductions to repairs and equipment replacement, has helped meet the recurring annual revenue savings target of £170,000 set in 2024.
The new squad is formed from members of the former contractor, who had delivered the contract for the last 20 or so years. The squad currently has 3 permanent staff, with one post being vacant at present. The squad are based at the Westbank Depot and complement the other specialist Community Greenspace Squads there - Infrastructure and Memorial Stabilisation.
The Play Squad have already successfully undertaken larger repair works at Darnhall Park Perth and to the surfacing at St Madoes play area. They also worked with Tayside Contracts to replace the surfacing at the cableway on the South Inch. Until the squad is fully staffed and the new procurement arrangements are fully in place for purchasing specialist materials and spares, the inspections are roughly a month behind and there has been a delay to some repairs. The inspection of the 'Premier' play areas are still being done monthly due to the higher usage at these sites.
In addition, the tender was issued at the end of June for the work being done with the additional £150,000 allocated in the Council's budget in March for inspections, repairs and maintenance of play park facilities. The contract should be awarded by mid-July and be on site from the last week in July/beginning of August to the end of September. The anticipated list of works is shown in the table below.
| Site | Item | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Aberfeldy Victoria Park | Net cone climber | Removal and replacement with new with associated safety surfacing (reason for replacement - item vandalised and cannot be repaired) |
| Perth North Inch | Basket swing | Removal and replacement with new with associated safety surfacing Removal and replacement with new with associated safety surfacing (reason for replacement - fallen tree landed on swing frame) |
| Perth South Inch | Large rope swing | Removal and replacement with new with associated safety surfacing - (reason for replacement - end of life of unit) |
| Perth South Inch | Large Dutch disc | Installation of Dutch Disc, removal of old fixings (item already purchased) |
| Perth Raeburn Park | Junior multi-unit | Removal and replacement with new with associated safety surfacing (reason for replacement - end of life of unit) |
| Rattray Common | Cone climber | Repairs to be carried out for the metal work |
| Pitlochry Recreation Park | See-saw | Removal and replacement with new with associated safety surfacing (reason wood rotting - end of life of unit) |
| Blairgowrie Lochy Park | Large swing seat (two flat/ two cradle) | Removal and placement with new unit with associated safety surfacing |
| Crieff Braidhaugh Park (possible) | Multi-unit | Unit reached end of life assessing if just removal or replace with new |
If any of the budget remains after this work has been completed, it will be used to help carry out safety surfacing repairs or replacement.
Capital Investment Programme
The Community Greenspace Policy and Projects team have been at 50% capacity due to some resource and recruitment issues. Despite the challenges, the final year of the former Scottish Government's 5-year Capital Play Renewal programme in 25/26 was successfully delivered. This included play areas at Legion Park Comrie, the Den o' Alyth, and in Perth, Fairfield Avenue; Glenearn Road, Craigie, and Potterhill which are all complete and open.
The play area at Legion Park in Comrie was phase one of a refurbishment of the whole park, being done in close partnership with and co-funded by the local community. It will create a multi-purpose, welcoming and attractive open space with a distinctive local identity. It also links to the Grow Wild initiative for biodiversity, habitat creation, and tree planting, and the flood defence works in the vicinity. Potterhill Play Area in Perth has had new equipment, better accessibility measures and much improved views the River Tay and city. An 'urban orchard', and wildflower area were also created to enhance the natural habitat and biodiversity and reduce the impacts of climate change.
The Policy and Projects team are currently working on the following projects as part Council's Capital upgrade programme:
- Coronation Park, Bankfoot - due on site August 26
- Davie Park, Rattray due on site September 2026
- Kirkgate Park, Kinross - design stages ongoing, aiming to be on site 27-28 but is dependent on new lease agreement being secured
- Coronation Park, Muthill - lease agreement nearing conclusion with the aim of being on site Spring/ Summer 2027.
- Gilmerton Play Area, Birnam Jubilee Park, Crieff Maxton Road and Perth Muirend Park all starting early consultation and design stages in 26/27, aiming to construct during 27/28, fully engaging with the communities in these localities as they progress there.
The team are also delivering the 'All Wheels' project to extend the skatepark at Pitlochry, which is community-led, designed and funded at a cost of around £200,000. The tender package has been issued for this project with an anticipated start on site of late September 2026 and an 8-week programme to complete.
Updates on the specific projects will be provided to the relevant Ward members as they progress and in particular, if there are any changes to the current programme.
