The petition of residents of the constituency of Dudley,
Declares that Sycamore Adventure Centre has served as a vital, safe, and inclusive community space for children, young people, and families in the area; that for decades, it has been more than just a play site—it has fostered community cohesion, supported children’s physical and mental health, and given young people a place to explore, learn, and grow; that the petitioners call for an immediate halt to the proposed privatisation of Sycamore Adventure Centre, which would reduce accessibility by introducing fees or limitations that restrict entry for families already facing financial hardship, cut down play opportunities and available hours, leaving children with fewer safe and constructive activities, undermine community ownership of a space that belongs to all of us, shifting its priority from public benefit to private profit; and that public recreational spaces like Sycamore Adventure Centre must remain publicly funded, publicly run, and accessible to all.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to stop the privatisation of Sycamore Adventure Centre, guarantee that access to the centre remains open and free (or affordable) to all families, preserve the current number of play sessions and hours of operation, and work with local residents, staff, and young people to protect and enhance the centre as a valued community resource.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Sonia Kumar, Official Report, 15 October 2025; Vol. 773, c. 477.]
[P003117]
Observations from the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern):
The Government recognise the value of venues such as the Sycamore Adventure centre. The Government note the recent announcement that the Sycamore Adventure centre will be taken over by Dudley Academies Trust.
The majority of funding in the local government finance settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities. Local councils are responsible for their own spending on providing services to their communities.