St Germain’s Ward Liberal Democrat Borough Councillors are bitterly disappointed that parish councillors have blocked plans for new play equipment in Marske.

The Marske play area’s equipment is over 25 years old and has needed improvement for some time.

Lib Dem Councillor Margaret Wilson has worked closely with Marske Residents’ Association to devise a scheme to refurbish the play area with modern, safe equipment. Together they secured £20k of external funding towards this project. They were also in the process of applying for further funding to achieve the £40k they required in total.

In June 2015 the Residents’ Association received a letter from the Parish Council rejecting the project. One parish councillor said that they “preferred the old equipment”.

Instead, the parish council permitted only a small roundabout to be installed at a cost of £15,000.

The Chairman of the Residents’ Association said:

“Surely the parish council should be working together with the community on something like this.

“Instead they have chosen to block the excellent work of the Residents’ Association and our borough councillors.”

Lib Dem Councillor Margaret Wilson said:

“The parish council has delivered a massive blow to the children of Marske.

“We worked really hard with the Residents’ Association to secure funding for new play equipment, which the parish council rejected.

“Local children could have had a full playground of new equipment, including three pieces suitable for disabled children.

“Instead they have one new roundabout, which is fine, and a load of old, outdated equipment.”

“The people of Marske should be asking serious questions about the value for money they get from their parish council.”