Children in Eastbourne may benefit from future funding when a play strategy is put in place. The strategy will be set up in conjunction with local play providers, schools and agencies and could bring more than £200,000 of funding to the town.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, Health and Community Services, Councillor Sandie Howlett says, “I am delighted that this opportunity has arisen to attract such large funding from the big lottery. I am confident that all partners will work together to produce a strategy that will benefit a vast range of children and their families across the town.”
A play strategy for Eastbourne should define ‘play’, look at some of the barriers to play and consider inequality, inclusion and anti social behaviour issues. The strategy should link with the extended schools agenda, transport strategies, housing and regeneration and the cleaner safer greener communities strategy. The finished document will include an action plan which will focus on the delivery of play across Eastbourne.
The process for developing any strategy requires extensive consultation and this will be taking place over the coming months as the final strategy needs to be submitted to the Big Lottery fund by March 2007. The council will then be notified how much money will be allocated for the delivery of the action plan.
This follows the success of the Youth Forum obtaining £17,000 worth of funding for trips and activities during the summer. The forum is due to meet again in September where they will discuss future plans.
For further information contact Michele Monteith, Community Services Administrator on 01323 415441.
