PF17

Legislation Committee No 1

Response to the consultation on the Proposed Playing Fields (Community Involvement in Disposal Decisions) (Wales) Measure

Wales Audit Office

1. We are grateful for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Measure.

2. We are aware of the considerable public interest in the disposal of playing fields. Such disposals need to be weighed carefully against the fulfillment of wider Health Challenge Wales objectives, the increasing physical activity agenda and the healthy schools initiative.

3. We welcome the proposal to place a duty on local authorities to examine the impact of a proposed disposal and to take into account the views of local communities in that assessment.  These arrangements should help authorities balance their competing priorities and ensure greater transparency in decision-making.  

4. We have no further comments on the detail of the Measure itself.