Written question WQ96284

Our refreshed statutory guidance, Wales - a Play Friendly Country, does not amend any core legal requirements or place any fresh burdens on local authorities, as part of their play sufficiency duties. Its intended purpose is to provide updated legislative and policy information to reflect changes since the original document was published in July 2014, in recognition of the wide cross-policy nature of the play sufficiency assessment process.

The Play Sufficiency Duty was initially introduced on a cost neutral basis in November 2012. When the legislation came into full force in 2014, requiring local authorities to secure sufficient play opportunities for children in their areas, so far as is reasonably practicable, it was agreed with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) that the Welsh Government would aim to provide funding as and when budgets allowed.

Since 2013, the Welsh Government has allocated over £30m revenue funding and £13m capital funding to local authorities to support them to meet their play sufficiency duties. Included within this amount, £5m of capital funding has been awarded to the local authorities as part of the Final Budget 2025-26, to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of accessible play spaces and opportunities for children.