IT is hoped Launceston’s Priory Park can be updated and new equipment provided there.

The potential of upgrading the play area was discussed by the town council at its meeting last Tuesday, April 17.

The council heard the Rotary Club of Launceston has kindly offered a sum of money towards new play equipment for the park, as the current equipment is considered ‘outdated and not conducive with modern day play provision’.

Town councillor Jessica Williams also advised fellow councillors the council may be eligible to apply for LEADER funding for the park — a community-led scheme that provides funding for projects in England which create jobs, help businesses and rural communities to grow and develop the rural economy.

The grants are funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and are part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

Under the LEADER scheme there are understood to be grants for: increasing farm productivity; supporting micro and small businesses and farm diversification; boosting rural tourism; providing rural services; providing cultural and heritage activity and increasing forestry productivity.

Money from the programme is given to local action groups (LAGs), made up of local public, private and civil society representatives.

Their role is to assess applications and award grants locally to businesses and organisations that apply. Grants issued wil range from £2,500 to a normal maximum threshold of £150,000.

The town council agreed that funding streams would be explored, specifically with the aim of providing new, on-site play provision at Priory Park.

Mayor Cllr Margaret Young speaking at the meeting described the sum of in principle funding from the Rotary Club as ‘quite substantial, which is really great’, adding: “We need to agree that we go forward with this project — a very exciting and big project to refurbish Priory Park play area.”

Cllr Young joked: “I think the swings are the same ones I used to swing on!”