Issue - meetings

Report of the Director for Neighbourhoods

The Communities Manager delivered a presentation to inform members how the Council delivers its Sports Development function, including funding, club support and promotion of major events and competitions such as Cricket World Cup and the Tour of Britain.

The Communities Manager explained that the Council tracks sport and physical activity using Sport England’s annual Active Lives Survey, which consists of an adult survey (16+) and a separate survey targeting children and young people (u16’s). The Communities Manager advised that the surveys provide data at a local, county and national level, on types of activity and activity levels.

It was noted that Rushcliffe has higher than average activity levels compared to Nottinghamshire and England and these are monitored through the Active Rushcliffe Health Partnership, made up of representatives from sport and health partners within Rushcliffe. The key priorities being ‘increase participation in sport and physical activity with a focus on the inactive’.

The Communities Manager advised the Group that from data, experience and new ways of working there are many barriers to residents taking part in sport and physical activities which can be defined as follows:

Personal – insufficient time, motivation, lack of social support, fear of injury or feeling self-conscious

Environmental – access to safe and convenient sports facilities, green/blue spaces, walking and cycling networks

Socio-economic – access to disposable income, with many residents having to prioritise paying bills and feeding families, particularly in the current cost of living climate.

In overcoming some of these barriers the Communities Manager advised the Group that since its implementation in 2020, the Reach Rushcliffe Fund has supported 7 physical activity projects, the Holiday Activities and Food Fund (HAF) has supported 591 children and young people by providing access to school holiday programmes that provide physical activity, nutritional activities and a meal.

The Communities Manager advised the Group that in line with sports England and Active Notts strategies the Council uses data to help understand and target where support is needed most and tackling underrepresented groups, in particular women and girls, residents with disabilities and residents on low incomes. The Group were advised that the Council works with partners to facilitate programmes and activity targeted at these groups.

The Communities Manager explained that the Council facilitates community sport and physical activity through working with a range of partners and that Rushcliffe is fortunate to have three professional sports clubs to work with to deliver the Council’s priorities, including Trent Bridge Trust, Nottingham Rugby  and Positive Futures . In addition, the Council introduced Rushcliffe parkrun at Rushcliffe Country Park and due to its success and demand a second parkrun is due to start at Cotgrave Country Park later this year. Local sports clubs and athletes are supported through various sports grants, for example Coach Scholarship Scheme, the Elite Sports Grant and Rushcliffe FANS (Free Access for National Sportspeople).

In concluding, the Group were informed that the Council community sport and physical activity work programme is underpinned by both the Rushcliffe Leisure Strategy and the Rushcliffe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25