Agenda Item No: 11
THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
CABINET MEETING: 7TH FEBRUARY,
2007
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND
ECONOMIC REGENERATION
EXERCISE REFERRAL SCHEME: WELSH
ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT
Purpose of Report
1.
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to accept an offer
of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to continue to
operate an Exercise Referral Scheme in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Background
2.
The Council’s Leisure and Tourism section have been operating the
Active for Life Initiative since April, 2004. The Scheme has
been extremely successful and has consistently achieved usage
figures in excess of the ambitious targets originally set.
The Scheme is presently funded by the Big Lottery Fund but this
funding will cease in July, 2007. The Welsh Assembly
Government has indicated to all local authorities that it is keen
to support the development of Exercise Referral Schemes such as
Active for Life. This was reported to Cabinet 19th
July, 2006; Cabinet Minute No. 2568 stated:
“That the Director of Environmental and
Economic Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Legal
and Regulatory Services and the Director of Finance, ICT and
Property and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Tourism and
Leisure be authorised to accept an offer of funding from the WAG
for an Exercise Referral Scheme, if this was deemed to be in the
best interest of the Council.”
3.
An offer has now been received from the Welsh Assembly Government
for the Vale of Glamorgan Council to join the Scheme from May
2007. However, due to the time taken by the Welsh Assembly
Government to confirm details of its proposals a positive response
is not now required until the end of February 2007, hence there has
been time to compile this report rather than use the powers in
Minute 2568.
Relevant Issues and Options
4.
The offer of funding from Welsh Assembly Government does contain
very clear guidelines on how the grant must be spent and it is
important to understand that this will mean that many of the
initiatives of the present Active for Life Scheme will be lost such
as the “Moving More Often” funding, “Green Gym” funding etc.
The single biggest difference however will be in that in year one
of the funding, a randomised control trial will take place which
will mean that 10 people per month will not be given the
opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of the Scheme, they will
have to wait a year. They will instead be given information
about being active that does not prevent them accessing any other
initiatives. This will however be clearly explained at the GP
Surgeries when people are referred. This is the same
principle applied to new drug trials. On average the number
of people currently referred under the present Scheme is
approximately 75 per month.
5.
The new Scheme would however continue to provide a vital link
between health and physical activity. It will also contribute
to the business growth of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Lifestyle
Health and Fitness Brand which has seen the present Active for Life
Scheme provide a significant number of new members.
6.
The Welsh Assembly Government Exercise Referral Scheme is also
dependant on the Local Authority providing 50% match funding to
support a co-ordinators post. Two full time exercise
professionals, travel costs, IT, training and admin/paperwork costs
will be met in full by the new grant. The present Active for
Life Scheme operated by the two co-ordinators using the expertise
of approximately 12 Lifestyle staff, who have been funded via the
Active for Life grant to take specialist qualifications, in the
exercise professional role. All costs associated with the
Active for Life Scheme have been covered by a grant by the Big
Lottery Fund.
7.
In accordance with the Council Financial Procedure Notes for Grant
Funding the following information is provided:
i.
Details of how the grant will assist in the delivery of the
Council’s objectives:
This grant will assist the Council in delivery
its Health Agenda.
ii.
The financial value of the grant:
The actual value of the grant offered has not
been precisely detailed but it will be in excess of £100,000 over
three years.
iii.
The financial value and source of any match funding required:
The value of match funding required is in the
region of £15,000 per annum. This will need to be found
within existing budgets.
iv.
Confirmation of whether the grant is for Capital or Revenue:
The grant is for Revenue.
v.
The time period the grant covers and exit strategy:
The grant must be accepted by the end of
February 2007. Funding is due to start in May 2007 but
because funding for the existing Active for Life initiative does
not finish until the end of July 2007 it is hoped that this can be
delayed until August 2007. Funding is expected to last three
years. If the Scheme can register positive results the
expectation is that funding will be extended. If no positive
results are recorded funding would end.
vi.
Any onerous or unusual conditions:
No onerous of unusual conditions are presently
known. There is a possibility that some break clauses could
be written into the Agreement. Any future potential
redundancy costs would fall to the Council.
vii.
Circumstances when grant claw back maybe invoked:
There are no details of any claw back in the
information provided to date.
viii.
The Project Manager within the Council who will administer the
Scheme:
The Project Manager will be Mr. Jon Rogers,
Lifestyle Health and Fitness Manager.
Resource Implications (Financial and
Employment)
8.
Match funding of £15,000 per annum is required to accept this
grant. This will be found from existing budget.
9.
Three new posts will need to be appointed to deliver the new
Exercise Referral Initiative. As there are presently two
co-ordinators on the Active for Life Schemes whose contracts are
due to end on 31st July, 2007 it is recommended that the
recruitment of the co-ordinators post for the new Initiative be
ring fenced to these employees. There is the potential for
one redundancy as only one of the present co-ordinators has a
substantive position with the Council.
10.
The ring fencing proposal meets with agreed policy, ACAS and
employment practice to reduce the impact on the existing workforce
and will implemented subject to the agreement of the Cabinet and
confirmation with the Joint Trade Unions.
Legal Implications (to include Human Rights
Implications)
11.
In accepting an offer of grant from the Welsh Assembly Government,
there must be compliance with the Council’s Procedure Note on Grant
Funding (see paragraph 7).
12.
Further the Council will be required to comply with the Welsh
Assembly Government’s terms and conditions for this funding.
A failure to comply with such terms and conditions may result in
reclaim claw back of some or all of the funding.
Crime and Disorder Implications
13.
Quality leisure and tourism activities are now recognised to have a
positive effect on crime and disorder issues.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to
include Welsh Language Issues)
14.
The randomised control element of the Exercise Referral Scheme has
taken to the Multi Centre Research Ethics Committee for approval
and therefore any concerns that this Scheme would not be compliant
with the Council’s own Equal Opportunities Policy of ensuring
everybody has the same access to opportunities can be
counteracted.
Corporate/Service Objective
15.
The Active for Life Initiative has made a major contribution to the
Council corporate objective of Health and Wellbeing for the
population of the Vale of Glamorgan. It presently forms part
of the Policy Agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government in terms
of the number of participants it attracts.
Policy Framework and Budget
16. The
report is a matter for Executive Decision by Cabinet.
Appropriate Scrutiny Committee
17.
Economy and Environment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
(1)
That the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration in
consultation with the Directors of Finance, ICT and Property and
Legal and Regulatory Services accepts the offer of Grant from the
Welsh Assembly Government for an Exercise Referral Scheme subject
to the £15,000 match funding required of £15,000 per annum for 3
years being made available.
(2)
That every effort is made to ensure that the match funding required
for this project to proceed is found from existing budgets.
(3)
That the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration upon
accepting the Grant be authorised to recruit the staff required to
deliver the programme.
(4)
That the new co-ordinators post be ring fenced for competition
between the existing two Active for Life Coordinators.
(5)
That Cabinet receives a further report on the Scheme once it is
implemented.
(6)
That the Urgent Decision Procedure as set out in Article 13 of the
Council’s Constitution be implemented in view of the need to
confirm acceptance of the Grant offer by the end of February
2007.
Reasons for Recommendations
(1)
To continue the good work of the Active for Life Initiative and to
take advantage of the Welsh Assembly Government Funding offer.
(2)
To ensure that the Scheme goes ahead.
(3)
To enable quality staff to be recruited.
(4)
To demonstrate the Council’s commitment to being a consistent and
fair employer.
(5)
To report the progress of the Scheme to Cabinet.
(6)
To meet required deadline.
Background Papers
Information received from Welsh Assembly
Government on the National Exercise Referral Scheme.
Contact Officer: Dave Knevett – 01446
704817
Officers Consulted:
Head of Economic Development and Leisure
Head of Human Resources and Equalities
Operational Manager Legal – Committee
Reports
Operational Manager Accountancy and Audit
Operational Manager Human Resources and
Equalities
Operational Manager Strategy and Support
Senior Personnel Officer (Ceri Price)
Leisure Centres Manager
Lifestyle Health and Fitness Manager
Rob Quick
Director of
Environmental
and Economic
Regeneration