Tim Gill, director of the Children's Play Council (CPC) at the National Children's Bureau, told a conference in London earlier this week that children around the country were suffering as a direct result of council underfunding.
Mr Gill said, 'Far too often the only thing on offer is a litter-strewn, windblown playground full of dog mess and rubbish. It's no wonder that some children turn to anti-social activities in their pursuit of fun, or that growing numbers of children are becoming clinically overweight.'
The CPC published a report, Making the Case for Play - Building Policies and Strategies for School-aged Children, which found that local councils in England spend less than eight pence per child per week on children's playgrounds. Children interviewed for the report said they wanted to spend more time outdoors but were concerned about the state of their local playgrounds. The report also found that fewer than four in ten councils have play policies or strategies in place to address these issues.
Mr Gill said, 'It all comes down to "postcode play" - where children can play depends on where they live and the importance that their council places on play.' He added that the needs of children from families on low incomes, disabled children and teenagers were often overlooked.
The report makes 56 recommendations, including that Government departments should work together in consultation with the play sector to develop a national strategy for play, and that the Government should work with the play sector to establish or support a national agency or unit within the Government to guide and develop the play sector.
The report was funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and costs 12.50 (9 to CPC and NCB members) from the NCB on 020 7843 6029.
