Agenda item

This item was taken before Item 10.

Ms Davidson, Partnership Director, was in attendance for this item.

1.          Ms Davidson introduced the report and provided an overview of the draft Kent and Medway Strategic Framework for Sport and Physical Activity 2023-27.

2.          Ms Davidson and Mr Jones responded to the following questions and comments from Members:

(a)  Asked about the maintenance of Public Rights of Way, Ms Davidson said her team worked with the Public Rights of Way and Country Parks teams within the Council, and Explore Kent, to ensure joint working.

(b)  Asked about public transport to access facilities including appropriate bus routes, Ms Davidson said over the last 12-18 months the Reconnect Programme had been successful in enabling young people to access sports facilities at low cost. Transport links would continue to be explored, and long term, embedded in the strategic framework.

(c)  Asked how the framework could be delivered to areas where limited resources were available, Ms Davidson said over the last 12 months over £200,000 had been invested in local clubs to support the delivery and training of physical sport and activity. Ms Davidson said the Everyday Active Grants were available for projects up to £500 and the Together Fund Investment for larger scale projects. Members asked for information regarding grants to be circulated to the committee.

(d)  Asked about cycle lanes, Ms Davidson said they were working closely with the Active Travel team and ongoing conversations for development were taking place.  Ms Davidson said the strategic framework involved working in partnership with others and recognising that one service alone could not deliver the entire strategic framework. Mr Jones said if Members had concerns about cycle routes to let his team know.  He said road safety audits were carried out to ensure routes were safe and secure.

(e)  Asked how the strategic framework would place protection on green spaces for the future, Ms Davidson said a range of legislation was involved in the protection of playing fields and current facilities, and consultation documents for feedback were sent via Sport England in relation to any kind of developments that may use green sites.

(f)    Members discussed the constraints of the current financial situation in terms of allocating funding and noted the importance of supporting existing clubs and organisations, and the positive contribution from some new developments in providing sporting facilities.  The impact of large energy bills on sporting facilities and organisations, such as leisure centres, was discussed and how those bills could be reduced by additional funding and renovation. Ms Davidson said the county was facing a physical activity crisis with one in three children either obese or overweight, and noted how sport and physical activity could help support mental health. Mr Jones said the Council worked with district colleagues around net zero challenges and developing bids and submissions for the benefit of the wider county.

(g)  Asked about practical solutions for residents to access facilities, for example childcare, Ms Davidson said there were grants available and colleagues working at community level were committed to supporting sport and physical activity provision.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Committee considered and noted the content of the draft 2023 – 2027 Kent and Medway Strategic Framework for Sport and Physical Activity, and how the vision of ‘more people, more active, more often’ can be collectively achieved and the associated benefits realised.