East End playing fields on Drump Road in Redruth have been officially transferred from Cornwall Council to Redruth Town Council, securing the future management of these key play areas.

The playing fields have been transferred under Cornwall Council’s "localism and devolution" scheme, for the benefit of local residents. This will allow the town council to manage it and have more control locally, as well as to attract funding for future improvements.

Following comprehensive public consultation in 2011, which showed there was overwhelming local support for a permanent facility, Redruth Town Council has ambitious plans to keep the existing small play area and develop the site into a skate park, cycle track and multi-use games area. The new facility will mean local people, of all ages, will have a great facility within their own neighbourhood which will also link in with the nearby Gweal-an-Top adventure play area.

Redruth town councillor Ian Thomas, who is leading on the project, said: “This is indeed a day to celebrate devolution in action as the East End Playing Field, somewhat ironically, returns to its rightful owner.

"Sad as it was, for their family, Mrs Frank Jose donated this field to the children of the town as a dedication to her young son, Richie, who sadly was killed in action during WWI. Of course this is also another huge step forward in the town council’s ambition to deliver a wheeled sports facility, here in the town, and yet another step forward in delivering a promise I personally made to our young folk during my term of office as mayor in 2010-2012.

“Redruth cries out for a skate park which encompasses those whose sport is a skateboard, BMX, scooter or wheeled skates, and one that embraces all disciplines, all abilities and all ages. We have identified the need, we’ve identified the benefits and, now, subject to funding, we can and will deliver.”

Cllr Will Tremayne, the outgoing mayor of Redruth, added: “Redruth Town Council welcomes this opportunity to take on this site as it will preserve the East End playing fields for the people of Redruth as was intended. Furthermore with the hard work of Cllr Thomas and the support of our town council we hope to fulfil the long term aim of turning this into the premium free site in the area for wheeled activities. This will provide a much needed venue for the young, and young of heart in Redruth.

"Devolution is the word of the moment and within the town council we take the view that we will fight to preserve, and if we can, improve the services that the electorate deserve and expect. This does not mean that we adopt services without good and proper consideration, nor would take on services that would endanger the viability of the council. We fully expect that East End playing fields will be one of these services that we will improve for the people of our town.”

Jeremy Rowe, Cornwall Council cabinet member for localism, said: “Redruth Town Council has a strong track record of working with Cornwall Council to deliver frontline services. When they approached us, with a plan to take over the playing fields on Drump Road, we were keen to be able to help them realise their local ambition. Redruth Town Council’s proactive approach to take more control over their assets is a great example of devolution in action.

"Devolution at its most worthwhile is about finding the best long term local custodians of an asset, in this case an open space that is valued by the local community. I applaud their innovative approach to working with the council and other partners to provide an excellent service to their community.”

The town council hopes the facility will eventually be managed locally by a community group.