Ban on bouncy castles lifted in Bersted

The council members decided to allow the party-time equipment to be used in their Jubilee Community Centre.

Their decision will be reviewed by the new council after next May’s elections after its impact can be judged.

Cllr Roy Elsey warned anyone who brought in a bouncy castle had to take its presence seriously because of the risk of injury to users.

He said: “We need to make sure the bouncy castle is properly supervised. There has to somebody there all the time, not disappearing for a cup of tea. The castle has to be kept under control at all times.”

Fiona Dobbs, the parish council’s clerk, said the importance of supervision would be included in the risk assessment to be provided by each of the centre’s hirers.

“We should allow bouncy castles to be used on a temporary basis. If there is a problem, we can stop them again,” she said.

An assessment of all the risks carried out for the council showed the castles would be acceptable. All hirers would have to be insured and produce their own risk assessments.

Cllr Simon McDougall said copies of all both assessments had to be kept with the documents for each hiring.

“I’ve no problem at all with the bouncy castles being allowed in again but I do not want liability for an accident coming back on this council,” he said.