Children’s playground provision and investment
Case reference FOI2026/01182
Received 22 July 2026
Published 5 August 2026
Request
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations, as applicable, please provide the following recorded information concerning publicly accessible equipped children’s playgrounds owned, managed or maintained by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. For this request, “children’s playground” means a publicly accessible outdoor play area containing fixed play equipment primarily intended for children. Please exclude school playgrounds, privately owned facilities, standalone outdoor gyms, standalone skateparks and standalone multi-use games areas, unless they form part of an equipped children’s playground included in the council’s records. If the council uses a different recorded definition, please answer using that definition and briefly explain it. Please provide:
1. Current playground provision The number of equipped children’s playgrounds currently owned, managed or maintained by the council, and the date on which this figure was correct. 2. Openings and closures For each completed financial year from 2021/22 to 2025/26: a. The number of equipped children’s playgrounds opened. b. The number permanently closed. Please do not count temporary closures for maintenance or refurbishment as permanent closures. If annual figures are not held for the full period, please provide the years that are available and state which years are not held. 3. Playground expenditure For each financial year from 2021/22 to 2025/26, please provide the recorded figure held by the council. a. Recorded revenue expenditure on the inspection, routine maintenance and repair of equipped children’s playgrounds. b. Recorded capital expenditure on the creation, replacement or major refurbishment of equipped children’s playgrounds. Please provide revenue and capital expenditure separately where possible. If playground expenditure cannot be separated from a wider parks or leisure budget, please provide the relevant figure as held and briefly explain what it includes. We are not asking the council to undertake a new calculation. Where the 2025/26 figure has not been finalised or audited, please provide the latest provisional figure and identify it as provisional. 4. Inclusive playground provision The number of council-maintained playgrounds currently recorded or designated by the council as having inclusive play facilities. If readily available, please provide the definition or criteria used by the council to classify a playground as inclusive. If the council does not maintain this classification, please state that the information is not held. 5. Accessible equipment The number of council-maintained playgrounds currently recorded as containing at least one item of accessible play equipment. If readily available, please provide the definition or criteria used to classify equipment as accessible. If the council does not maintain this classification, please state that the information is not held. 6. Playgrounds awaiting repair As of the date the information is extracted: a. The number of individual playgrounds affected by an open or outstanding equipment repair. b. The date on which this figure was correct.
Response
1. Current playground provision
The number of equipped children’s playgrounds currently owned, managed or maintained by the council, and the date on which this figure was correct. Please note this response covers the parks in Tunbridge Wells only. Parks in other areas of the Borough are managed by Parishes. We currently manage 16 play areas as of 3 August 2026.
2. Openings and closures
For each completed financial year from 2021/22 to 2025/26:
a. The number of equipped children’s playgrounds opened.
b. The number permanently closed.
Please do not count temporary closures for maintenance or refurbishment as permanent closures.
If annual figures are not held for the full period, please provide the years that are available and state which years are not held.
The council has not opened or closed any play areas for the years requested.
3. Playground expenditure
For each financial year from 2021/22 to 2025/26, please provide the recorded figure held by the council.
a. Recorded revenue expenditure on the inspection, routine maintenance and repair of equipped children’s playgrounds.
b. Recorded capital expenditure on the creation, replacement or major refurbishment of equipped children’s playgrounds.
Please provide revenue and capital expenditure separately where possible.
Revenue expenditure for the years indicated is £39,420. Capital 21/22 £20,040 – 24/25£123,830 - 25/26 £20,070.
If playground expenditure cannot be separated from a wider parks or leisure budget, please provide the relevant figure as held and briefly explain what it includes. We are not asking the council to undertake a new calculation.
Where the 2025/26 figure has not been finalised or audited, please provide the latest provisional figure and identify it as provisional.
4. Inclusive playground provision
The number of council-maintained playgrounds currently recorded or designated by the council as having inclusive play facilities.
All play areas have a mix of equipment including accessible equipment.
If readily available, please provide the definition or criteria used by the council to classify a playground as inclusive. If the council does not maintain this classification, please state that the information is not held.
Information not held
5. Accessible equipment
The number of council-maintained playgrounds currently recorded as containing at least one item of accessible play equipment.
All play areas have at least one piece of accessible equipment.
If readily available, please provide the definition or criteria used to classify equipment as accessible. If the council does not maintain this classification, please state that the information is not held.
Information not held
6. Playgrounds awaiting repair
As of the date the information is extracted:
a. The number of individual playgrounds affected by an open or outstanding equipment repair.
b. The date on which this figure was correct.
We have four play areas with one piece of equipment awaiting repair as of 3 August 2026.
Documents
This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.