Waltham Forest Council is considering a motion to remove 'No Ball Games' signs from council estates, signalling a shift towards encouraging play and recreation for children. The council was scheduled to resolve to support the campaign to scrap 'No Ball Games' signs at the meeting on 17 July 2025, according to the meeting agenda.
The Labour Group motion, presented by Councillor Kizzy Gardiner and Councillor Rosalind Doré, highlights the importance of play in children's development. The motion, available in the July 25 Labour motion, acknowledges that play and creativity are an integral part of childhood and fundamental to the way all children learn, develop, and grow.
The council was scheduled to resolve to support the Play England campaign on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to protect play space, continue to utilise the proceeds of housing growth to invest in playgrounds and parks, and establish a Together We Play
fund of £50,000 for community play-based activities at the meeting on Thursday, 17 July 2025.
The Together We Play
fund of £50,000 will enable residents and community stakeholders to access funding to deliver play-based activities in their local communities across the borough.
The motion also references existing investments in play spaces, including £200,000 for Lloyd Park, £250,000 in Drapers Field, new playgrounds in Wingfield Park and Priory Court, and the £8.4 million 'Child-friendly Chingford' programme.
In addition to removing 'No Ball Games' signs, the council is also considering creating a new online family-friendly play directory. The council was scheduled to resolve to create this directory at the meeting on Thursday, 17 July 2025.
