RURAL community leaders say Colchester parks chiefs should take charge of maintaining village playgrounds.

Most parish councils have to look after play equipment on their patch, while in central urban areas, responsibility lies with Colchester Council.

With parishes now facing cuts in the annual grants they receive from the town hall, Conservative councillor Kevin Bentley is leading calls for the borough to assume control across the board.

He said: “Everyone in the borough shares the cost of maintaining the town centre playgrounds through the council tax they pay.

“But in the villages the cost is usually met by the parish council.

“If the parishes are not getting enough money from the borough to pay it, they may have to increase the council tax precept they charge people in their area.

“That means people in villages will be paying twice – once for the upkeep of the town centre playgrounds and again for their own.”

The Colchester Council opposition leader added: “It is understandable grants to parishes are being cut as money is tight, but we need to be fair.

“Some people assume everyone who lives in the countryside is rich, but that is simply not the case.”

Mr Bentley was backed by Chris Harvey, Birch parish councillor with responsibility for the village playground.

Mr Harvey said: “I completely agree. If some people are paying once and other people are paying twice that is just not fair.”

The playgrounds problem emerged during a public consultation Colchester Council has held on its plans to reduce grants to parishes, which finished yesterday.

Tina Dopson, councillor with responsibility for communities, has promised to consider Mr Bentley’s proposal.