Agenda Item No 10

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Cabinet Meeting: 1 October, 2018

Report of the Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Leisure

The Vale of Glamorgan Leisure Strategy

Purpose of the Report

1. The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the Vale of Glamorgan Leisure Strategy.

Recommendations

1. That this report and the accompanying Vale of Glamorgan Leisure Strategy (Appendix A) and Impact Assessment Report (Appendix B) are endorsed.
2. That this report and the accompanying Vale of Glamorgan Leisure Strategy (Appendix A) and Impact Assessment Report (Appendix B) are referred to the Healthy Living and Social Care Scrutiny Committee for consideration prior to seeking agreement on the final Strategy by Cabinet in due course.
3. That the Healthy Living and Social Care Scrutiny Committee receive update reports on the implementation of the Strategy.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1. To demonstrate the Council's commitment to the principle of delivering Leisure opportunities allowing residents and visitors to enjoy healthier lifestyles.
2. To allow the Scrutiny committee to discuss the strategy in more detail prior to any decisions being taken of the final Strategy document.
3. To ensure that the Scrutiny Committee are kept updated on the progress made in delivering the strategy's commitments.

Background

2. The Welsh Audit Office examination of the future of Leisure Services in Welsh local authorities (Delivering with Less - Leisure Services) published in December 2015 used the Vale of Glamorgan as an example of good practice in terms of changes made to Leisure Centre services that are delivered in Wales.  However, the report also noted that the Vale of Glamorgan Council did not have a Leisure Strategy.
3. Following the publication of the Wales Audit Office report work to develop a Leisure Strategy was undertaken.
4. To assist in the development of a Strategy a tendering exercise was undertaken and Strategic Leisure, which had previously assisted the Council with the tendering of the Leisure Centre contract were selected to undertake the work.

Relevant Issues and Options

5. A cross-directorate team of officers worked with Strategic Leisure to develop the Leisure Strategy. A draft of the strategy was completed in Autumn of 2017 and this was published on the Council's website for consultation.  The results of the consultation exercise are reflected in the final version of the Leisure Strategy which is attached at Appendix A.
6. The Strategy concentrates on 8 key areas within Leisure services - outdoor sport, indoor sport and leisure, sports development, parks and open spaces, outdoor activities, play, exercise referral and community centres. The Strategy makes the linkages with both the Council's Corporate Plan and the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.
7. A key theme of the Strategy is the need for the Council to continue to develop over the next 10 years as an enabler and facilitator as opposed to direct funder of leisure services.  This will involve the continuation and development of partnerships and alliances to provide opportunities for all to enjoy physical activity.  A detailed action plan stating how this can be delivered is included in the Strategy and will be referenced in future reports.
8. The action plan details areas for future work such as fees and charges, raising awareness of services, opportunities to promote more physical activity outdoors, potential for Community asset transfers to reduce costs, increased community access to education facilities, exploring further partnership opportunities and greater long term planning.
9. An equality impact assessment has been undertaken in relation to the Strategy and has concluded that…. Significant work has been carried out within Leisure in terms of equality and equity to reduce barriers to participation over a number of years with initiatives such as changing villages and inclusive fitness equipment being introduced.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

10. The Strategy includes some challenging actions, notably a move towards achieving zero subsidy whilst ensuring opportunities remain for all.   The implementation of the strategy is designed to be achievable within existing financial parameters.
11. Cabinet will note the proposal relating to single-use outdoor sports facilities that were considered in the summer of 2018. These proposals are consistent with the overall direction to be taken by the Council in the future as the Council seeks to work in partnership to maintain priority services.
12. There are no direct employment implications associated with the strategy.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

13. The strategy has been developed to make the links with the Council's Corporate Plan, notably the Well-being Outcome of 'An Active and Healthy Vale'.
14. The Council's leisure services make an important contribution to the national well-being goals for Wales and the strategy has taken into consideration the five ways of working associated with the Well-being of Future Generations Act. The strategy is deliberately longer-term in focus as the impacts of healthy lifestyles take time to achieve. The strategy sets out how the Council will collaborate with partners in the delivery of the strategy's action plan and that many of the measures to be taken can prevent longer-term health conditions.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

15. There are no immediate legal implications associated with adopting the Vale of Glamorgan Leisure Strategy.

Crime and Disorder Implications

16. The opportunity for young people to take part in physical activity is now recognised as having a positive impact on crime and disorder issues.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

17. Equality opportunities, and notably equity, have always been key objectives for the service and will continue to be so. An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken and can be found in Appendix B. The main findings of the assessment are described in the body of the report above.

Corporate/Service Objectives

18. Working with sporting clubs in the Vale of Glamorgan is recognised in the Corporate Plan under well-being Outcome 4: an active and healthy Vale, objective 7 working in partnership to deliver a range of activities through our leisure and community facilities and parks to increase levels of participation and physical activity.

Policy Framework and Budget

19. This report is a matter for Executive decision by Cabinet.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

20. A consultation exercise in accordance with Council's public engagement process has been undertaken.  As the strategy is county-wide no ward member consultation has taken place.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

21. Healthy Living and Social Care

Background Papers

WAO Assessment.

Contact Officer

David Knevett - Operational Manager, Neighbourhood Services, Healthy Living and Performance.

Tel: 01446 704 817

Officers Consulted

Principal Healthy Living Officer

Legal Services - Committee Reports

Environment and Housing Accountant

Operational Manager, Performance and Policy

Operational Manager, Accountancy

Responsible Officer:

Miles Punter - Director of Environment and Housing Services.