Decision Maker: Babergh Cabinet, Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
adopted their existing Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity (LSPA)
Strategy in 2017 following a comprehensive review of the leisure
services, facilities and partnerships across both Districts.
Four years on, and in the wake of the biggest public health crisis
for generations, the Councils have taken a positive and proactive
step to reviewing and updating the LSPA Strategy to ensure it
aligns with current strategic priorities and the future role of the
Councils at a time when supporting residents to be more active has
never been more important.
Since 2017, the development of a new Joint Local Plan, the
successful delivery of investment schemes across the
Councils’ core leisure facilities, the changing nature of
sport and leisure activities and the current and likely future
impact of COVID-19 upon communities provide a strong rationale for
a review and refresh of the LSPA Strategy.
It was RESOLVED:
1.1 That the refreshed Sport, Leisure and Physical Activity Strategy, priority actions identified and supporting evidence base be approved.
1.2 That a comprehensive Action Plan be developed for the next 3 year based on the priority actions identified in the Strategy.
Reason for Decision:
1. That the Councils have a clear strategy and action plan for Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity to support delivery across the Districts for the next 3 years and which reflects national and regional policies and strategies.
2. Developing an up to date Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy is a key strand of the Council emerging Wellbeing Strategy
3. To ensure the Councils have a strategy which is linked to key partner outcomes eg Clinical Commissioning Group priorities, Active Suffolk.
4. The refreshed evidence base and strategy will maximise the current assets across the district for our communities.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 DO NOTHING (Not Recommended) – the current strategy is in place, however, no longer fits our wider aspirations to increase participation in our communities or reflects the updated evidence base we have now developed.
1.2 APPROVE (Recommended) – this refresh strategy considers the new housing numbers, key actions have been delivered since the previous evidence base and reflects national emphasis on increased community physical activity. It also reflects the current known impacts of COVID 19 on our district provision.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Publication date: 06/07/2021
Date of decision: 05/07/2021
Decided at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Babergh Cabinet
Effective from: 14/07/2021
Accompanying Documents: