Children’s playgrounds in Aberystwyth will not reopen for at least another month, despite a councillor’s impassioned pleas.

The town council-run castle, Penparcau and Plascrug parks closed in March when lockdown hit. They were given the go-ahead from the Welsh Government to reopen in July, but the town council failed to do so, despite pleas from local parents and councillors.

In early September, the council said it was “committed to reopening the playgrounds from mid September if at all possible”.

But the parks stayed shut.

Cllr Rhodri Francis said at Monday’s meeting: “Why have children got to be punished? At the end of this two-week lockdown, pubs are going to open, restaurants are going to open, why can’t they go to the parks?”

Welsh Government guidance for the current firebreak lockdown states playgrounds are open and “the benefits of outdoor play to children are significant and keeping parks and playgrounds open supports children’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. Outdoor environments are lower risk in relation to coronavirus transmission”.

But it was decided at Monday’s meeting they would stay shut, and a Children’s Impact Assessment would be completed and the results reviewed on 23 November.

It was also decided that the assess­ment would be completed by a “cross party” group of councillors representing various views.

At Monday’s meeting, Cllr Alex Mangold presented a motion, to carry out the assessment and review the decision regularly, after receiving a letter from the Children’s Commissioner of Wales.

He said: “These are the recommendations by the Children’s Commissioner. I think we should adopt them.”

Cllr Mark Strong highlighted the fact that the chief executive of Ceredigion council supported their decision to close the playgrounds to support efforts by schools to separate children in ‘bubbles’.

Cllr Lucy Huws asked whether there was a possibility of creating other safe spaces for families to socialise in the streets, adding: “The problem with playgrounds is just the density of children in a playground.”

Council clerk Gweneira Raw Rees said: “It’s important to demonstrate to the public that we haven’t disappointed the commissioner, that she acknowledges that we have taken actions after much consideration, and I think the motion should say that. Then go on to propose what Alex has suggested, to conduct an assessment.”

It was decided this preamble would be replaced with the exact letter from the commissioner.

Cllr Edwards also proposed that the results be discussed during the next full council meeting, on 23 November.

Cllr Williams also proposed: “The impact assessment will be conducted by councillors with a range of views across the council.”

The motion, with both amendments, was passed unanimously.