Active Communities Strategy Delivery Plan

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Press Release

Published on 5 July 2021
Archived on 5 August 2021


Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet has today, Monday 5 July approved the District Council's Active Communities Strategy Delivery Plan for the next three years.

The District Council's sports provision will now be provided as part of the District Council's new 10-year Leisure Management Contract with SLM, with dedicated active communities members of staff focusing on:

  • Increasing participation in physical activity and sport by under 18s
  • Increasing participation in physical activities by over 50s
  • Improving the health and wellbeing of the population through delivering sustainable programmes

One of the key elements of SLM's proposal is the use of the Council owned Sports Pavilion on the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon as an 'outreach hub' to deliver activity programmes, together with the delivery of outreach in more rural and less active parts of the district.

Cllr Matt Jennings, Culture, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder says: "At the end of 2018, The Cabinet endorsed the Active Communities Strategy for 2019-2024 including the delivery plan for the first 12 months.  This has now expired and the next stage of delivery needed to be considered.

"Since 2019, the provision of Active Communities' Services has moved on and has been greatly impacted by COVID-19.  The provision of sport and physical activity is a discretionary service not a statutory service and it was always the intention to work with others to deliver activities to make them more sustainable in the long term and less reliant on the Council's limited resources."

As part of the new provision the District Council will no longer provide the following services - the Hi-5 holiday activity programme, health walks and sports tournaments.

Cllr Jennings continued: "Although we will no longer be providing a number of traditional services previously provided, there won't be a gap in provision as SLM will be providing a number of other activities more suited to today's society and needs.

"SLM's Service Delivery Proposals as part of the new leisure contract ensures that there is still a strong focus on delivering the key themes of the Strategy but removing much of the cost and risk for these activities from the Council."

 

SLM's Method Statement on 'Targeted Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Participation' will be responsible for delivering the following initiatives:

Increase participation in physical activity and sport by under 18s

  • Develop sports and activity sessions for 11-16 year olds
  • Develop a programme of activities for minis (under 5s) and juniors
  • Promote and deliver school holiday activities
  • Work with schools to increase awareness of health and wellbeing, and the importance of being active
  • Develop a range of disability sessions within the leisure centres

Increase participation in physical activities by over 50s

  • Network in the older persons sector
  • Work with NGBs to offer suitable initiatives for older people
  • Set up and promote a Young at Heart programme
  • Host an older persons' day promoting activities and services available in the district.

Improve the health and wellbeing of the population through delivering sustainable programmes

  • Develop an exciting programme of coached and casual sessions for adults to get them active
  • Organise wellbeing initiatives with key partners
  • Set up a Health and Activity Outreach scheme with links to Exercise Referral Scheme already in place
  • Develop an Active Parents Programme
  • Health referrals
  • Develop strong links with NGBs and Partners to help with the sustainability of programmes
  • Develop and promote volunteering opportunities.

The Strategy has three main themes:

  • Strategic Theme 1 - Encourage active communities to improve health and wellbeing
  • Strategic Theme 2 - Enhancing and sustaining facility provision
  • Strategic Theme 3 - To raise the profile of sport and physical activity

Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 05/07/2021