Local charity faces closure due to council cuts

Rochdale and District Play Action Council (RADPAC), a local charity that provides play opportunities to some of Rochdale’s most deprived children, could fold due to council cuts.

RADPAC has hit out at proposals that could see cuts made to the play provision budget in the borough and has raised fears that children in the borough’s most deprived areas will lose out.

In proposals set out by Rochdale Council, as well as looking to “cease the current staffed open access play provision at the Falinge Park Barn,” the council want to “reconfigure the current grant funding to local groups for delivery of open access play provision and related support. The current funding will be reduced and existing grant recipients will be invited to submit tenders to deliver re-configured open access play services as part of the tender process.”

And that “the proposal may result in a reduction in the number of holiday play schemes available across the borough (this will be subject to outcomes from the tendering process). We will endeavour to ensure the maximum amount of grant funding is used for service delivery and back office costs are limited to minimise any potential impact on available playschemes within the tender process.”

It is understood that the cuts would generate around £80,000 in savings.

RADPAC has been providing, supporting, and delivering quality, inclusive volunteer led playschemes and play opportunities to children within Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and the Pennines for more than 30 years.

Playschemes provide children with the opportunity to make new friends, to play within a safe environment, to feel part of the community, to release pent up energy over the school holidays and most of all have fun.

The proposals would impact on 14 playschemes that run at the moment, with over 150 volunteers providing play activities to over 1,000 children.

Kay Carrington, RADPAC Manager said: “We are disappointed with the council’s approach to this issue. Play is yet again seen as an easy target, but all research shows that play and space to play is vital for children’s health, wellbeing and development.

“Not only could RADPAC close, but several playschemes across the borough may have to as well. It means at least 1,000 children will lose out. It is an extremely short sighted cut. One of the biggest challenges this borough faces is poor health outcomes, so cutting provision that has proven health and wellbeing benefits is extremely strange.

“We understand that things change and cuts are inevitable, but why would the council be considering reconfiguring the RADPAC grant and putting it out to tender? The actual procedures for formal tendering is for grants over £50,000 and therefore, why should this £40,000 go out to tender? Why should RADPAC not be granted the £40,000 to deliver the same services, but with a reduction to the playschemes instead of a total cut and no playschemes at all?

“RADPAC would still be able to support, develop and provide 14 playschemes with 150 volunteers that allow at least 1,000 children boroughwide to benefit from a playscheme, albeit reduced in some way. But as parents would agree, something is better than nothing for the benefit of our children.”