Agenda item
Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy 2017-27
Minutes:
Thorsten Dreyer, Service Manager for Strategy, Performance and Resources explained to Members there were two reports before them. The Open Space Strategy 2017-27 and the Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy 2017 -27. Both strategies were being presented together as they were intrinsically linked, focusing on the borough’s facilities and assets. It is restricted to conditions set by Sports England and the Mayor of London respectively.
The two strategies sat in a suite of Council led strategies including the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, discussed earlier, with the aim of delivering the vision and priorities of the Borough.
The Open Space Strategy and the Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy were being developed in alignment with the Council’s vision to make the borough a great place to live with healthy and supportive communities. Some of the challenges faced were the continuing financial restraints and austerity measures; population growth, pressure of local infrastructure and how to meet increasing need for publicly accessible facilities that support physical activities, sport and healthier lifestyles.
Both strategies were in draft format and Thorsten invited views of Board members about the key findings informing the emerging themes within the strategies. He also stated Sport England were looking for 10 pilot areas to drive up participation, with a funding pot of £13m, for each area. He invited stakeholders to express their interest by contacting him directly.
Board Members made the following comments:
· The Open Spaces strategy needs to link in with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy priority of ‘Healthy Environments’, in particular with air quality.
· The Local Plan should encourage developers to provide open space for children’s play, as should registered social landlords. Response: It was acknowledged the ‘Play strategy’ was due to be refreshed and that assessment of play space would be conducted separately to the open space strategy. Thorsten said he would discuss with Children’s Services about the cross-relationship between the two strategies.
· Both strategies need to highlight the health benefits of exercise and healthy lifestyles. Future leisure facilities need to be designed so they are inclusive and inviting to all groups – for example, people with disabilities and impairments, mental health and BME communities. Under-utilization of open space and ‘no go’ zones because of animals also needs to be addressed.
· Wider consideration needs to be given to getting people more active and the barriers to accessing leisure facilities and open space in the borough. Healthwatch is willing to support with engagement activities.
· More should be done to ensure School facilities are opened for community use. Some schools are better than others but the strategies could harness the benefit of wider community through the emerging strategies.
· Outdoor gyms should be promoted as a method of physical exercise and other activities such as walking, cycling, gardening should also be highlighted. The strategies should link with the Green Grid and active transport initiatives and mental wellbeing should be considered in the development of the strategies plus addressing accessibility for those who are out of work.
· The strategies should link in with the NHS’s social prescribing initiatives and should encourage usage of sports facilities and open spaces as a way to improve better health outcomes. Motivational coaches should be assigned to people who have long term conditions who want to make a healthy lifestyle change.
The Health and Wellbeing Board:
1. NOTED the key findings informing the emerging strategies; and
2. Considered and commented on how the Health and Wellbeing Board can contribute to meeting the challenges presented by the key findings.
Supporting documents: