Agenda item

Members heard again from the Communities Manager regarding the draft Sport and Physical Activity Strategy. It was highlighted that the Prosperous Communities Committee previously approved a recommendation to develop and present a Sport & Physical Activity Strategy for West Lindsey. The Council did not have a strategy focussed on this area of delivery, and adopting a strategy would ensure a clear focus was established, including associated actions the Council would take in the future.

It was highlighted that the draft strategy provided a direction of travel for how the Council could play an important role in supporting the development of sport and physical activity provision across the district. Additionally, the introduction of the strategy would support the delivery of other strategies such as the Lincolnshire District Councils’ Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Members heard the objective and action plan recognised the role of the Council in supporting delivery, whilst also looking further ahead towards the future, post Local Government Reorganisation and refreshed national policy on sport.

The Chairman thanked the Officer and highlighted several areas around which the strategy could make further mention, including communications and engagement plans, such as putting on regular events, the need for increased external funding, expansion of cross sector collaboration and partnership networks, and accessibility challenges, particularly for rural areas with poor transport links.

Members discussed in detail the difficulties faced locally, and nationally, with encouraging people to be more active, and the importance of the strategy for West Lindsey. Members commented on the societal changes over a number of years which impacted this, such as reduced funding for sports facilities, and in the education system, as well as generational differences having trended towards online gaming rather than outdoors activities.

It was highlighted that physical activity was not simply involvement in sports, and that greater emphasis could be placed on, for example, encouraging people to enjoy the Lincolnshire Wolds and the Viking Way as gentle walks or longer hikes. The importance of building the habit of physical activity from a young age was particularly discussed, with Members wishing to see increased collaboration with schools and leisure providers aimed at school children and young adults.

In relation to the provision of sports activities, reference was made to the two leisure centres, particularly looking at options for improving the space and facilities for becoming a social hub as well as a sports location. Examples were given of similar provision in other districts, where the leisure centres were a meeting place for users both before, after, and separate to, the use of the facilities.

There was significant discussion regarding the decline of sport, and the limited options in West Lindsey. Members were advised of the strong working relationships between the Council and, for example, Lincolnshire Cricket and Lincolnshire FA, whilst recognising that a number of sporting bodies were East Midlands based rather than Lincolnshire. Additionally, it was recognised there were sports which had no representation in the district, such as hockey, meaning those players had to travel out of district to play. The importance of working with local schools and encouraging involvement from a young age was again highlighted.

There was further discussion regarding the two leisure centres, with Members highlighting a desire to engage the teams based on both sites to work with their users as to how to improve and extend their offerings, with a view to increasing user numbers.

Members also expressed significant concerns regarding financial constrictions, not only for providers but particularly for members of the public, for whom the costs of involvement may be prohibitive. The interactions between leisure and tourism, and sport and physical activity were highlighted, with reference to improving accessibility to open spaces for cost-free activities.

Further discussion raised questions regarding the implementation of the action plan, with Members seeking assurance that action was underway and success could be documented with key deliverables. Officers provided assurance of ongoing work streams, and recognised the importance of being ambitious with district-wide approaches, whilst also being mindful to not over-promise on what was realistically achievable.

With discussions drawing to a conclusion, Officers summarised the key points of the discussion, assuring Members that the draft strategy would be reviewed in line with the feedback from the Committee, however work continued to progress as indicated in the action plan.

Having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that

a)    the draft Sport & Physical Activity Strategy and the Active Together Action Plan be approved; and

b)    authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities, following consultation with the Chair of this committee, to complete and finalise the strategy and action plan, taking into consideration committee’s comments.