Portsmouth's rental community will help ensure that their local children's playgrounds remain open under a new scheme that has been passed by the city's council, reports The Portsmouth News.

To raise the urgently-needed money to keep the playgrounds open, those who live in council-owned rental properties have agreed to a small increase in their weekly rent of about £2, which equates to 4%. This is far less than the 7.9% which the government recommends. The extra funds generated will ensure that public parks in Paulsgrove, Landport, Portsea, Buckland, Somers Town and Stamshaw will not close as feared.  

Maintaining the parks costs Portsmouth City Council £500,000 a year and cuts to the children's service budget has forced the council to find creative ways to bridge the gap. The six parks will now be managed out of the housing service budget.  

24dash.com, the social housing and public sector website, reports that funding that parks in this manner means the playground staff will also be retained, although now technically with social housing jobs.

Council leader, Gerald Vernon-Jackson told the The Portsmouth News: "most council houses don't have gardens, so youngsters use these play parks because they are a good place to exercise and play. We're pleased to have worked out a way to ensure government cuts won't force them to close."

Tenants are also happy with the plans. Park campaigner, Alison Hager was thrilled with the decision saying, "around this area...most of us live in council properties," to The Portsmouth News.

"Since we are the ones mostly using the playgrounds, I don't mind paying a bit more to keep them open. It's a small price to pay."