Agenda item

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented the report which provided an updated sport and physical activity strategy for 2026-2031.

Progress had been made in the past 5 years by the Council’s Leisure Team in implementing the actions identified in the current strategy, targeting key areas and working with partners to provide opportunities for residents and visitors to live healthy, active lifestyles.

The information detailed in the report included the supporting documents which had been reviewed and where relevant actions had been incorporated in the draft strategy.

The draft strategy was structured around 4 key pillars and included an action plan along with key performance indicators. The four pillars are mentioned as active society, active place, active people and an active system. The refresh of the strategy was essential to ensure the goals and objectives remain relevant and aligned to national context along with the needs of the community in South Kesteven.

It was outlined that Lincolnshire County Council administration was considering diminishing all funding for One You Lincolnshire physical activity initiatives.  Therefore, the Council may need to review future ambitions to mitigate the removal of funding.

The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead clarified the funding from Lincolnshire County Council currently covered the healthy weight programmes and exercise referral programmes in leisure centres, smoking cessation and community programmes.

One Member highlighted a KPI relating to attendance at leisure facilities within the District (1.2). Concern was raised that the Council could be committing themselves to a KPI which was out of their control.

It was confirmed that reviewing the KPI would be beneficial. The particular KPI (1.2) was from the LeisureSK Ltd contract specification and tracked who was using Council facilities. The KPI measured the inactivity and activity levels and tracked data for people throughout the District.

The Assistant Director of Leisure, Culture and Place suggested the Committee requested the strategy be taken away for further review of the percentage of inactive adults, as the strategy did not set a target at present.

It was noted that many venues held physical activity events, however, were not owned by the Council. It was queried how the attendance at these venues was accounted for.

The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead confirmed that the data relied on individuals feeding into the Active Lives Survey data.

A query was raised on how the strategy would specifically address rural isolation and transport barriers within the District, which could hinder participation for smaller villages. It was further questioned whether the Council worked with any partners.

The Council were working with Active Lincolnshire to overcome rural barriers, they were proposing a neighbourhood place profile to identify areas of focus.

Another partner such as ‘We Are Undefeatable’ were a free organisation that people can access from anywhere, offering online workouts and specifically targeted individuals with long-term health conditions.

One Member asked whether people living in the District had been utilising the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ service.

ACTION: For the Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead to provide statistics on the numbers of people within the District using the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ service.

A query was raised on whether the Council liaised with other sport providers requesting information on data.

Concern was raised over KPI (1.3) and it may need to be removed due to the lack of funding.

A ‘Moving Communities’ survey had previously been undertaken, whereby sport providers had provided information into the data. The data did not show the direct numbers of participants.

The Committee were informed that LeisureSK Ltd were currently exploring alternative options to the ‘healthy weight’ programmes.

One Member requested whether there was any more recent data, as the most recent data within the strategy related to 2022-23. It was highlighted that inactivity levels may be linked to the covid pandemic.

The Physical Activity and Wellbeing Lead stated that nationally, recent data was unable to be sourced due to small sample sizes from surveys in South Kesteven, however, it was noted that inactivity levels were on the rise.

A query was raised on whether the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ service was advertised on the Council’s website or in SK Today.

 ‘We Are Undefeatable’ service was advertised on the Council’s website. Leaflets for the service were handed out at events attended by Council Officers and a social media plan was being undertaken.

One Member queried whether the strategy encouraged the use of green flag status parks.

The Assistant Director of Leisure, Culture and Place clarified that the strategy encouraged use of green flag status parks and recognised the importance of them.

It was queried whether the Council would partner with GP surgeries as well as the NHS to target inactive adults.

The Council worked in partnership with Primary Care Networks (PCN’s) and social prescribers to promote offerings around the District. The Council worked directly with some GP surgeries, however, outreach was an issue with surgeries.

One Member highlighted that for every 3 people with diabetes in Stamford, there were 4 people in Bourne and the Deepings. A query was raised on why diabetes was so prevalent in one specific area and whether it was due to the lack of access to facilities.

ACTION: For the Health and Wellbeing Lead to provide further information on why the rates of diabetes were higher in certain parts of the District.

The Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

1. Consider the updated Sport and Physical Activity Strategy to cover the period 2026 – 2031.

2. Recommend to Cabinet that the draft Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2026 – 2031 is adopted following a further review of the KPI’s.