Minimal Million

Childen who were expecting a new £70,000 playground complete with swings and slides have been left "devastated" after the council gave them a pile of concrete blocks instead.The "minimalist" design at Diamond Hall Pocket Park includes a variety of rectangular grey concrete blocks, described by Sunderland Council as "play features".
Parents had been expecting a traditional playground after they had been sent a leaflet on the plans which showed images of a climbing frame and swings.
Instead they have been left with the task of telling their children how best to play on the new blocks.
The park, in Millfield, has been given a makeover with money from a £2.5million Play Pathfinder grant awarded to Wearside.
Saacha Thompson, 34, said she had a hard time explaining to her three-year-old daughter Imogen that the park was finished. “When they said they had £2.5million for all the parks in Sunderland I think we were expecting something really good. But it looks like they spent about £200 on it,” she said.
Adele Hopper, 24, said her three-year-old son was devastated when she told him the play park was finished. “He was really upset at first. I was surprised to find out the park was finished. It didn't look finished. I thought they would put stuff on top of the concrete blocks”, she said.
However, the council said the concept for the playground was agreed after consultation with the community. Julie Gray, Head of Community Services, said: “The design of the park was the result of extensive public consultation, with the local community and councillors asked to give their views at a number of events on the layout of the park and what kind of equipment they would like to see installed.
“This design also includes a CCTV camera being installed to help maintain a safe and secure playing environment.”