Council 'simply do not have' £500 to fix children's swing damaged by dogs

A child's swing has been damaged by dogs in Grimsby - and the council cannot afford to pay the estimated £500 repair cost until the next financial year.

A basket swing at Wingate play park on The Willows was removed a number of weeks ago following damage. This was caused by dogs attacking the equipment.

Freshney Ward Cllr Lyndsey Downes has been told the estimated repair cost is £500 and the council "simply do not have" the budget to replace it this financial year. There are four full months left of the 2024/25 financial year.

A council spokesperson has confirmed budget constraints and no imminent safety risk mean the repair is intended in 2025/26. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that disabled swings at four Grimsby parks put out of action in July by anti-social behaviour remain locked up, over four months on. The wait for replacement parts continues.

Cllr Downes said she was contacted by Willows residents about three weeks ago "to ask when will this piece of equipment be put back in". She followed up with council officers and Cllr Henry Hudson, portfolio holder for environment and net zero.

New play park equipment was installed at the green space after 2021 Cabinet approval. It cost over £17,500, a little above average for a range of play equipment renovations that were made across the borough last year.

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Cllr Downes has been told by Cllr Hudson, in correspondence Grimsby Live has seen, that the estimated repair cost for the basket swing is £500 and the council simply do not have the money this financial year. "It's a crying shame they can't replace a swing," said Cllr Downes, contrasting with funding for other elements.

"The residents of The Willows seem to always feel like they miss out. The council are doing all these vanity projects like Freshney Place, but forget areas like this."

"Even from a public health angle, we need to be doing everything we can to encourage families and children to be using these spaces. If that's £500, that's £500 well-spent in my opinion," she said of fixing it.

She added the play park was the only such outdoor resource families had in The Willows area. "I think taxpayers would be horrified to think that they can't even fall back on £500 of what they've put in." She said the major renovations to play parks like Wingate by the council were meant to be lasting. "It's supposed to be a budget for installation and ongoing maintenance. And now there doesn't appear to be £500 left to maintain it."

Though not a designated disabled swing, the equipment had been well used by disabled kids, Cllr Downes said, as the only accessible equipment in the play park. "One particular resident contacted me, saying his disabled son used [the play park] and now definitely they can't."

A North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the damage to the basket swing on The Willows estate which we believe has been caused by irresponsible dog owners allowing their dogs to ruin the equipment.

"Unfortunately, due to budget constraints and there being no imminent safety risk to site users, we intend to schedule the repair for the next financial year."

Disabled swings at multiple parks still out of action

Grimsby Live has previously reported on locked up disabled swings in multiple Grimsby parks, including Weelsby Woods, that were put out of action after anti-social behaviour damage. The council's intention had been to get them back, available to use before the summer school holidays ended. That passed, due to a wait for replacement parts.

Now, as November changes to December, the disabled swings remain out of action, the council spokesperson confirmed when asked. "In regard to the disabled swings, we are awaiting parts before repairs can be carried out.

"Due to the specialist nature of these swings, parts take much longer to manufacture and deliver than those of a conventional swing. We are committed to ensuring it is repaired as soon as possible so that all children can enjoy our parks and play areas."