Issue - meetings

The Board received the annual report for the Council’s Sport and Recreation Service for the period 2017-18, and accompanying presentation given by Sue Lowrie, Sport and Recreation Manager.

It was noted that there were two distinct areas within the Team:

·       Sports Development Team – who developed programmes and activities to support the local infrastructure and encourage residents to start and stay active; and

·       Management of the Council’s three Leisure Centres:  Kingsway Leisure Centre; Brookvale Recreation Centre and Runcorn Swimming Pool.

Members were advised that overall the report demonstrated a year where the Sport and Recreation Team had worked in partnership with a range of stakeholders and had made considerable progress, impact and achievements across the Borough.  The Team was structured to direct resources on tackling inactivity, as this was where the gains for the individual were greatest.  The activities were used as an essential component in supporting and developing the infrastructure of the community and to improve the quality of life for residents, both physically and mentally.

The Board was advised that the Service worked closely with partner organisations to share resources which, in turn, helped achieve success.  Officers highlighted the importance of the contributions from partners which had a positive impact to the success of the service.

The report provided detailed commentary on the delivery of the Sports Strategy 2017-18 under 6 themes as follows:

·       Increase Participation and Widen Access;

·       Club Development;

·       Coach Education and Volunteering;

·       Sporting Excellence;

·       Finance and Funding for Sport; and

·       Sports facilities.

Members welcomed the presentation and were pleased to hear about the activities being carried out across the Borough.  They noted that there were now less people in Halton who were considered to be inactive as they had taken advantage of the opportunities available such as: Couch to 5k; Couch to 2k; Health Walks; Junior Parkruns; and GP Practices Health Walks.  The presentation also outlined the work being carried out around summer holiday activities; mental health matters; and workshops and grants.

Officers provided responses to Members’ concerns regarding staff shortages in the leisure centres’ swimming pools, i.e. lifeguards and swimming coaches and the fact that services were being cancelled due to this.  Members were reassured that recruitment was ongoing for both roles and some staff would be in place for January 2019.  It was also commented that there was a national shortage of swimming instructors which together with the pay rates had had an impact on recruitment.

RESOLVED:  That the Board

1)    notes the report and comments made; and

2)    welcomes the progress being made in encouraging and supporting residents to be active.