Freedom of information response

1. How many play parks have been closed in the area in the last 10 financial years? None

2. How many complaints have been received about the general state of play parks in the area in the last five financial years? In issuing our response the council have applied S12 of the Freedom of Information Act.  This means that the council does not have to comply with your request if the cost of doing so exceeds the ‘appropriate limit’, which for local authorities is 18 hours.  This applies to the time taken spent locating and collating the requested information.  

5 years x 187 records per year x 2 minutes to check each one manually / 60 = 31 hours

3. How much has been spent on the upkeep and/or refurbishment of play parks in the last five financial years? Over £2m

4. How many reports of vandalism in play parks have there been in the last five financial years? Over 500 as play inspectors are dealing with around 10 issues per week.

5. How many injuries have been reported in play parks in the last five financial years, and what were the nature of those injuries?

You are free to use any information supplied to you for your own use, including non-commercial research purposes.  However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.

Where the copyright is owned by Thurrock Council, you must apply to the Council to re-use the information.  Please email information.matters@thurrock.gov.uk if you wish to re-use the information you have been supplied. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the council have managed your FOI request you can pursue an Internal Review by contacting us using the above email address. Your request will be considered by a senior member of the Information Management Team who will update you with the outcome of the review. 

If you remain unhappy following the outcome of your Internal Review you may wish to refer your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and details of this organisation can be found at www.ico.org.uk . Please be advised that the ICO will not consider your case until they have confirmation that you have already been through the Internal Review stage with the council.