Bouncy castles banned in Bersted

Bouncy castles have been banned by Bersted councillors.

They are among every type of inflatable play equipment which will no longer be allowed on the Jubilee playing fields and the adjoining community centre owned by the parish council.

The ban was agreed by 12 votes to one at the council's latest meeting.

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It is believed to be the only current action of its type in the country.

Members feared they could be liable if an accident took place on a bouncy castle or similar inflatables on their premises off Chalcraft Lane.

The ban came into effect straight away. It has been written into the council's casual lettings contract to form part of its policies for its events.

One of the first crowd-pullers to be affected will be the council's parish festival at the playing field on July 13.

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But parish council chairman Cllr Brian Knight said: "On the evidence that was produced to us, I am quite happy with the decision we have made.

"We had no choice. We could not afford to put the council at risk of being sued. But if further evidence comes to light, we can reverse that decision."

Michael Johnson, the council's clerk, said he estimated bouncy castles had been used about ten to 15 times a year on the council's premises.

He believed the organisers of about two out of ten children's parties on the premises brought in the inflatables before an unofficial ban on their use had been put in place recently.

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This followed an award for damages against a parish council after a child was paralysed in an accident while playing on a bouncy castle on its premises.

"The ban could be seen as nitpicking," he admitted, "but, with the amount of litigation in this country at the moment, the council doesn't want to take any chances.

"The council could be vicariously liable if an accident occurred with a bouncy castle during a casual letting.

"It could be a case of a child hitting themselves against a wall while they were jumping on the bouncy castle and being injured.

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"If the castle was outside, the child could be injured if they fell on to the ground.

"Under these circumstances, it is doubtful if the council would be insured."

Any legal action then would see individual councillors held responsible from their own money for any damages awarded by the courts.

He stated: "If the council hired a bouncy castle, and we had proper safety measures in place, then we would be covered by our own insurance.

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"We would need to have sufficient safety measures in place. This would mean four adults in attendance at all times, ensuring children of the same age were on the bouncy castle together and a ban on shoes and jewellery while they play there.

"It would be very difficult to ensure these measures were observed throughout all the hours a castle was in use.

"I would call the situation a minefield."

Mr Johnson has been asked by councillors to obtain a definitive statement of the council's legal liability in relation to bouncy castles used by casual hirers.

Mark Jerram, the founder of the British Inflatable Hirers' Alliance, said the ban was the only one he was aware of around the country. He accused the council of a knee-jerk reaction.

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"This is a severe over-reaction. It's like banning cars because some people are injured or killed in them," he said.

"Bouncy castles are an incredibly safe play activity for children provided basic safety precautions are taken.

"The most important of these is that there is continuous supervision by a suitable adult."

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