Agenda item

Andrew Stevens, Assistant Director, Learning and Cultural Engagement, outlined a report to update the Committee on the progress of work done to increase participation in sport and physical activity (NI 8) and seek its views on plans to address underperformance in this area. 

The Committee noted that NI 8 measured the number of people who took part in 30 minutes of sport and moderate physical activity for 30 minutes three times a week, and that the measure of activity was collected through a national telephone survey involving 500 individuals in each authority.  The Assistant Director highlighted that SBC would not be able to draw down allocated reward money through the Local Area Agreement if the agreed targets for NI 8 were not met. 

Slough’s performance in NI 8 was recorded at 16.1% in December 2009, having dropped from the previous base line of 19.4% and the Committee noted the detail of several initiatives which had been delivered to improve performance, including the provision of free swimming for targeted groups and the creation of an improvement action plan.  New initiatives that would be delivered during 2010/11 included a healthy workforce initiative for SBC staff, a Slough Community Leisure Open Weekend and a GP Healthy Walks Scheme.  The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) had worked with the Culture and Sports Team earlier in the year to develop and take forward its improvement action plan.  The IDeA had cited the plan as one of the best examples they had seen. 

The Officer concluded that much remained to be done to refine and strengthen the actions and local measures needed to meet targets and that the Council would continue to work with the key partners to encourage and develop further opportunities for access to sports and physical activity programmes that would impact on the whole community.

In the ensuing discussion Members raised a number of questions/comments as follows:-

• A Member asked whether the Council had considered operating a health/ fitness scheme such as that operated by Nissan, whereby staff undertook a series of exercises at the beginning of their working day. The Head of Culture and Sports Delivery advised that whilst the Council had not considered carrying out an exercise scheme on this scale, consideration had been given, for example, to holding yoga classes in the Council Chamber at lunch times.
• A Member asked whether the Council was providing cheaper rates and subsidies for swimming and football clubs etc, and felt that the Council should be focusing on communities where individuals undertook little physical activity,  often due to cultural barriers.  The Assistant Director advised that subsidies were not proposed at this stage but there were plans to encourage activity through marketing and the promotion of sporting activities.  Slough Community Leisure would be considering  the provision of taster sessions to show residents what was available.  A benchmarking exercise had shown that local prices for sporting activities were fair compared to other authorities.  The Head of Culture and Sports Delivery commented that many sports clubs were run by volunteers and recent legislation regarding the requirement for CRB checks had made it more difficult and expensive for clubs to recruit volunteers.
• In relation to sporting facilities available within schools, a Member asked whether the Council was utilising these facilities, for example, the swimming facilities available at Beechwood School.  The Assistant Director advised that such facilities were used as far as possible and this would be researched further.
• A Member questioned whether local parks such as Langley Park and Black Park were being sufficiently promoted by the Council as it was felt that people could be encouraged to use the facilities and increase their physical activity.  The Head of Culture and Sports Delivery  advised that Salt Hill Park was a good example of this and a recent visit had shown that the park was being used well with evidence of informal cricket matches, football games and picnics taking place. 
• A Member felt that the provision of separate sessions for female members of ethnic communities would encourage the use of swimming facilities. 
• Several Members suggested that any advertisements or information regarding the promotion of health and physical activity should be posted at mosques and temples.  In this way the communities where there was often a problem in health and physical activity would be better targeted.
• A Member referred to the closure of the Tennis Centre and was concerned that this decision would impact on the amount of physical activity.  The Assistant Director advised that a Tennis Development Programme had been put in place and was open to anyone who wanted to participate.  There would be eight outdoor courts which would be of Lawn Tennis Association standard.  The tennis courts would be funded through the Ten Pin bowling activities on the site.  It was emphasised that there was a need to reach large numbers of the community and encourage new activities wherever possible and the availability of Ten Pin Bowling would contribute to this.
• A Member was concerned that Britwell was losing 50% of its parks and there were no swimming, football or hockey facilities provided by the Council. He advised that the Britwell Parish Council arranged some football activities and it would be useful if the Officer contacted the Parish Council to explore what other activities the Parish could provide. 

It was agreed that the Committee would receive a quarterly update report on NI 8-Adult Participation in Sport and Physical Activity.

Resolved – That the report be noted.