Millom Town Council
Play Area & Parks Policy
Adopted: November 2025
Review Date: November 2027
Purpose of this Policy
This play policy has been developed for the provision, maintenance and development of play areas owned and managed by Millom Town Council.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states:
- Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood.
- Play is a vital component of growing up.
- Play is how children develop skills – physical, social and intellectual.
- Play provides children with opportunities to test themselves and others.
- Play gives children opportunities to practice and prepare for the outdoor world.
- Children should have full opportunity for play and recreation, and society and public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.
Policy Statements
- To provide, where possible, conventional play areas, environmental play areas and community play activities to provide every opportunity to play.
- Conventional: Traditional play areas with the five modes of play.
- Environmental: Play areas featuring natural elements that feel integrated with the outdoor landscape.
- Community: Areas that provide children with opportunities to practice and hone key social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills.
- Ensure the play area facilities owned by Millom Town Council comply with the appropriate British Standards to minimise the risk of accidents and help provide a safer environment for children to enjoy play.
- Ensure all children within the parish of Millom and Haverigg have a play area within a reasonable walking distance.
- Millom Town Council will consider provision of specialist play facilities for the Millom and Haverigg Parish areas as a whole, where possible. The Council will consider taking responsibility for play facilities of all kinds where they meet our standards and the owner wishes to transfer them to us.
- Consider safer routes to play areas when selecting locations.
- Monitor, assess and review design and installation of play areas. Investigate and take note of any new research into safety standards regarding play areas. Accidents in play areas arise from many causes including but not limited to:
- Inappropriate design and layout
- Incorrect or inadequate installation
- Lack of age-appropriate equipment
- Lack of supervision
- Aggressive or dangerous use of equipment
- Misuse of equipment
- Unsuitable clothing worn
- Carry out routine weekly inspections as well as a fully documented annual inspection completed by an independent certified inspector. Sites should also be visually inspected regularly by a nominated person for superficial defects, faults, general cleanliness, and removal of dangerous objects. All inspections shall comply with current legislation and be conducted by trained inspectors.
- Monitor safety by maintaining a central record of all reported injuries and serious incidents on Millom Town Council-owned play areas. This information will inform future updates and installations.
- Consider the implications for access to, and experience of, play opportunities when reviewing planning applications for new developments. Environmental play is valuable and should allow children to challenge and manipulate their environment.
- Provide opportunities for informal play, including informal sporting play, in municipal parks and open spaces.
- Consult the general public — in particular school children and parents — when replacing, updating, or installing new play equipment or areas. Conventional play areas should aim to include all five modes of play: swing, rocker, rotor, agility, and slide (see Appendix I). Parents and schools can provide valuable input when selecting equipment.
- Formulate and maintain a forward plan, updated as necessary in response to new legislation, standards, and consultation outcomes.
- Endeavour to introduce more play provision for children with disabilities as standard. Disabled children should have equal access to play environments and suitable equipment to enable integration with able-bodied peers.
- Assist in raising parental awareness of responsibility for child safety by providing clear signage and literature.
- Design and build environmentally friendly play parks using recycled materials and working with suppliers committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
- Designate all play areas as dog-free zones to provide areas free from dog faeces under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or other appropriate powers (see Appendix II).
- Maintain a site register for each play area containing:
- A copy of this policy
- A site plan
- Full equipment details
- Documentation of ownership
- Inspection, maintenance, and development plans
- Details of reported accidents and serious incidents
Summary
This play policy is designed to reflect all statutory requirements and demonstrate the Council’s commitment to providing safe formal play areas and environmental play opportunities within available resources.
Millom Town Council understands and acknowledges the need to:
- Consult and liaise with parents, children, and schools before purchasing new equipment to ensure it will be well used and enjoyed.
- Educate parents and guardians to be aware of their responsibilities in play areas.
- Provide more play equipment for disabled children and consider inclusivity when purchasing new equipment.
- Install signs in prominent positions stating that play areas are dog-free zones.
- Update or replace old and defective equipment.
- Recognise the expected life of existing equipment and create a replacement plan.
- Maintain and regularly update a site register.
- Ensure inspections are carried out as set out in this policy.
- Accept responsibility for play areas transferred to the Council where they meet the Council’s standards.
Signed: ………………………………… Chair
Dated: 26th November 2025
Appendix I: Visual Examples of 5 Modes of Play Equipment
Swing: A classic piece of playground equipment that helps develop balance and coordination while offering fun and relaxation.
Agility: Includes climbing frames, nets, and obstacle structures that challenge physical strength and coordination.
Rocker: Provides a rocking motion, often designed for multiple users to promote social interaction.
Slide: Slides come in various forms — straight, spiral, and tunnel — and are essential for fun and physical development.
Rotor: Includes merry-go-rounds and spinning platforms that help children develop balance and spatial awareness.
Appendix II: Environmental Protection Act 1990 – Part IV
Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 outlines the responsibilities of local authorities in maintaining public cleanliness and managing litter, including dog fouling. It designates principal litter authorities such as county, district, and borough councils, and defines “relevant land” as areas accessible to the public under the control of these authorities.
Under Section 87, it is an offence to throw down, drop, or otherwise deposit litter (including dog faeces) in public places and leave it. This applies to any area open to the air and accessible to the public, including parks and highways.
Local authorities are empowered to enforce these provisions through Dog Control Orders, which may include:
- Fouling of Land by Dogs Order: Offence of failing to remove dog faeces.
- Dog on Lead Order: Requirement to keep dogs on leads.
- Dog Exclusion Order: Prohibition of dogs from designated areas.
- Specified Maximum Order: Limiting the number of dogs per handler.
Penalties for offences include fines up to £1,000 in Magistrates Court or Fixed Penalty Notices typically set at £75. These measures aim to reduce health risks such as toxocariasis and maintain clean, safe environments for public use.
Millom Town Council designates all play areas as dog-free zones under this legislation to ensure children have access to clean and safe recreational spaces.
