NEW internal arrangements will ensure that problems experienced in the provision of playgrounds following new housing developments will be minimised, Hambleton Council leader Coun Arthur Barker told this week's meeting.

He was answering a written question put forward by Coun Caroline Seymour from Stokesley who expressed her concern at the slow progress being experienced in the town with proposed play area projects.

"In Stokesley, we have several areas of public open spaces where the parish council has been unable to take on liability for these areas for many years because of the very slow progress made between Hambleton Council and the developers," she said.

Coun Barker explained that the arrangement for provision of play areas was that developers placed a bond with the council if an open area was not provided on a development so the money might be used to provide a play area elsewhere.

"Historically, there have been problems, mainly as parish councils do not want to take over maintenance. It has not been the developers' fault," he said.

Although parishes usually wanted a play area, the parish councils did not always receive the support of neighbours when various sites were chosen. This caused delays, he added.

"In future, we hope for better liaison between this council and parish councils to ensure speedy delivery of facilities. I understand that in Stokesley most of the problems have now been resolved."