A PROPOSAL for Ross-on-Wye Town Council to take ownership of three play parks currently managed by Herefordshire Council is going out to public consultation.

And now the council is asking residents for their views on a proposal that Ross Town Council should consider taking ownership of several play parks in the town - Beech Close Play Park, Roman Way Play Park and Grammar School Close Play Park.

If the Community Asset Transfer goes ahead, Herefordshire Council has capital funding available to make improvements to the play areas. This could provide an opportunity to retain and improve these facilities and help secure their future for the local community.

However, taking ownership would also mean that the Town Council would become responsible for the ongoing costs of inspecting, maintaining and repairing the play parks.

For Beech Close Play Park there is £65,000 of capital funding available, with estimated ongoing maintenance costs of £6,000 per year; For Roman Way Play Park, £35,000 of capital funding is available, with estimated maintenance costs of £2,700 per year.

And for Grammar School Close Play Park there is £20,000 of capital funding available, with estimated ongoing maintenance costs of £1,200 per annum.

The capital funding is only expected to cover simple repairs and improvements.

But if the council takes on these additional play parks it would create an ongoing financial commitment for the Town Council and in turn this could affect the council tax precept in future years.

The consultation, which explains the options available and the potential implications is now open to residents to share their views before any decision is made.

Residents can take part in the consultation via the link on the town council’s website;

In person at the Market on Thursdays between 10am and 11.30am and in writing by collecting a consultation form from the council office.

The consultation closes at 7pm on Wednesday, September 2.