The Committee is asked to consider the Sports Development Framework (attached).

The Community Services Officer and Cabinet Member for Localism, Culture, Heritage and Sport have been invited to attend for this item.

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Localism, Culture, Heritage and Sport and the Community (Sport and Physical Activity) Officer to the meeting to consider the Sport and Physical Activity Framework for Swale (SPAFS).

The Cabinet Member introduced the report which identified the key elements of the work undertaken as a result of the SPAFS and its flexible approach to ensure that Sport and Physical Activity (SPA) is embedded in the localism agenda.  He explained that the Council had moved from direct delivery to an enabling role, working with local organisations to deliver services.

The Community (Sport and Physical Activity) Officer explained that he had previously worked for Kent County Council (KCC) who were seen as a good example for the delivery of SPA.  He considered that the priorities within the SPAFS were still relevant and there had been some good achievements.

The Committee welcomed the £76k secured from Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund to employ a Health Trainer for Swale.  The Chairman asked how this had been communicated to residents to encourage participation?

The Community (Sport and Physical Activity) Officer explained that the funding was for a three-year pilot project working with the Kent Community Health NHS Trust (KCHT) to engage local people who do not otherwise participate in any form of SPA.  The Health Trainer started in October 2014 on low intensity activities targeting the inactive and long-term unemployed through the KCHT and new partners for SPA including the JobCentre Plus.  He explained that initially participants would come through referrals either from the JobCentre or GPs and it was planned that volunteers would be trained to run sessions which would enable the project to be advertised more widely.

A Member raised concern at the lack of communication with Ward Members and a potential duplication of activities with other organisations; as an example he referred to a project being run in Davington Priory Ward involving AmicusHorizon.

In response to a question, the Community (Sport and Physical Activity) Officer explained that the funding covered salary costs for the Heath Trainer, a budget for hire of premises, training sessions required by the Health Trainer and training for additional volunteers.  Additional funding has been provided by Swale Borough Council and KCHT to support the project.

The Chairman requested that further information regarding the Health Trainer including where and when they would be running activities be included within a Members’ despatch.

·         Community (Sport and Physical Activity) Officer

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The Cabinet Member referred to the launch of a new Sports Grant scheme to help voluntary clubs and organisations with grants of between £200 and £1,000 to provide opportunities and increase participation.

A Member requested further information regarding the appointment of an Executive Officer for Swale Community Leisure Ltd.  The Cabinet Member explained that Swale Community Leisure Ltd Trust required dedicated officer support and currently SBC officers were managing both sides of the contract which created conflicts of interest.  The post was being funded by SBC for two years and it was expected that the role would generate enough income to sustain the post in the future. 

A Member considered that reference should be made to the cost of maintaining and investing in capital refurbishments for leisure centres owned by SBC.  The Cabinet Member considered that this was part of a separate discussion regarding the Council’s assets and priorities for expenditure.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member and Community (Sport and Physical Activity) Officer for attending the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That an update report be provided to the Committee on the progress of the Sport and Activity Framework for Swale towards the end of 2015.