PENARTH councillors have questioned the cost of funding play schemes over the summer holidays.

During a leisure and amenities committee meeting councillors raised concerns about the town council funding play schemes and a family fun day, which would come to more than £2,000, and accused the Vale Council of ‘dumping’ holiday play provision on them.

Councillors were in agreement that that there was a lack of youth provision in the town, but questioned whether play schemes would be sufficient and value for money.

A report to the town council committee outlined that The Play Team from the Vale of Glamorgan Council offered “offered a range of opportunities including play schemes, play rangers, family fundays and special events during the summer holidays”.

The play schemes would be held in local schools, while the play ranger or family funday sessions would be held at other venues (such as the Kymin) or public open spaces.

The family funday would cost £550, the three-day play scheme £1,185 and three play rangers sessions £300.

After the plans were outlined to the committee Cllr Mark Wilson said he was in support of the principle of play schemes in Penarth and putting money towards them, but that they needed more information about them and would benefit from a presentation before making their minds up about funding them. He added that they could also form a partnership with schools.

Cllr Michael Cuddy said that working with the Vale council to provide play schemes was “like a little teaser of things to come”.

Cllr Gwyn Roberts (St Augustine’s) said he had some reservations for supporting the scheme as it appeared the town council would be funding all of it and it would be doing so on an ongoing basis.

He also questioned whether the scheme would benefit the whole of Penarth as only around 70 children attended each play scheme per day.

“If we are spending money in Penarth we need to look where it is best needed rather than just reacting to it,” he said.

“I would have expected us to share the cost rather than shoulder the cost entirely. We need to address the problems of youth provision in Penarth, but where should we be spending our money with limited reserves? We need to learn where to spend it and where our priorities are.”

He added that the town council should look at what other local authorities were doing, such as in Cwmbran, which “might be a more cost effective way rather than taking on a previously council run function”.

Cllr Wilson said: “The amount of money is not exorbitant for a council of our size with half a million pounds in the budget, but I take the point of us using our funds in a strategic way. I don’t think this is the Vale council dumping things on us, I think it enhances facilities and is good for the community of Penarth.”

Cllr Roberts added that he didn’t want to reject the scheme, but wanted to look at the bigger picture.

Councillors agreed that they would seek further information and a presentation from The Play Development Team from the Vale of Glamorgan Council during the next town council meeting on April 1. The Vale Youth Service will also be holding a presentation that night as well.