Debts cleared for Leys playground, now new trustees needed (From thisisoxfordshire)

Debts cleared for Leys playground, now new trustees needed

5:16pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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A MUCH-LOVED playground on an Oxford estate is to have its debt cleared by two councils to help it get back on its feet.

Oxford City Council is to pay £4,000 and the county council £4,600 to get Blackbird Leys adventure playground (Blap) back into the black.

The Cuddesdon Way playground needed £8,623 to pay staff redundancy packages, utility bills, accountants and tax.

It closed in December after 35 years because of the cash crisis and dwindling numbers of volunteer trustees to run it.

Trustee Penny Wood said the money would buy the after-school and school holiday project time to plan its future.

She said the facility, which costs £60,000 a year to run, would not reopen in the near future, but the next few months would be crucial in finding a “sustainable way forward”.

Mrs Wood said: “The money is going to help us get ourselves on an even keel.

“We are working with the councils to look at the options for running possibly in the future. We are carrying out a review to find a way to get it on to a sounder footing. But it’s not going to be straightforward.”

Trustees are being advised by both councils and play experts Play England to come up with ways to get the project back open without the risk of it closing again.

Leys and Lye county councillor Richard Stevens said trustees were considering changing it from a charity to either a company limited by guarantee or a community interest company to protect trustees, who are currently liable for any debts.

He said: “The councils have approved roughly £4,000 each.

“This money enables the trustees to draw a line under the existing liabilities and it gives them some breathing space to look to the future.

“All in all it’s looking more optimistic than it was. It has been struggling to make ends meet under the basis that it has been running.

“Both councils have stepped up to the plate. It’s a valuable community facility and I think both authorities recognise that.”

Lawyer Mr Stevens has also offered his legal expertise for free if the project changes the way it is run.

He added: “One of the issues at the moment is the trustees are potentially liable for the debts and that’s not a fair solution.”

County Hall spokesman Paul Smith said: “The county council and city councils supported Blap to ensure a temporary closure was achieved.

“The authorities will meet soon to discuss future sustainable options for Blap with Play England colleagues in attendance. There is nothing further to add at this stage.”

Blap still needs new trustees. If interested in helping out, call Mrs Wood on 01869 277310.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk