Agenda item

To review the emerging new ActiveWestminster Strategy.

8.1       The Committee received a report on the development of the New Active Westminster – Sport and Physical Strategy. 

8.2       Richard Barker, the Director of Sports, Leisure and Wellbeing, and Andrew Durrant, Head of Sports and Leisure discussed with the Committee how the strategy would make a positive contribution to a variety of Council and partner outcomes and how it would be underpinned by an annual activity plan aimed at addressing the key issues concerning sport and physical activity. The Committee noted that The Active Westminster Board would be reformed to lead on the development of the new strategy which would involve several services including Public Health and Children’s Services.

8.3       The Committee welcomed Phil Rumbelow, Chief Executive from Jubilee Halls Trust and Mary Russell from the Public Health Commissioner and Physical Activity Lead who advised and discussed with the Committee the work carried out to encourage inactive people to take up physical activity and how many illnesses, especially mental health illness, could be prevented and treated with physical activity.  Phil Rumbelow advised how Jubilee Halls supported outreach programmes and local schools but received no public funding to carry out this work.

8.4       The following key themes emerged from the Committee’s discussion:

·         the link between deprivation and (lack of activity) inactivity amongst hard to reach groups, including primary school children and permission by parents to allow children to take part in physical activity.

·         the importance of outreach work and the promotion of everyday activities to the inactive and elderly population by finding venues to hold sport and leisure activities nearer to their homes/communities.

·         the demand for competitive sports in schools and links with Westminster’s volunteering programme and sports professionals.

·         the need for areas without any current facilities to be reviewed to see if any possible sites could be identified.

·         the wider use of open spaces and the possible conflict between partners such as using parks for sport versus using the park as a quiet place for relaxation.

·         the importance of promoting health and well-being in schools so children link healthy living with being active and/or moving around more throughout the day.

·         the importance of engaging with all sports organisations to make the most of their facilities for residents/school children.

·         the importance of promoting walking, dancing and generally being more active throughout the day to both children and adults as part of leading a healthy life style.

·         the importance of linking and making connections with the retail sector as part of promoting healthy eating and food choices.

·         the unlimited free swimming provided by the Council for children and people over 60 years of age. 

8.5       The Chairman thanked everyone who had given up their time to attend the            meeting and contribute to the discussion.

8.6       ACTIONS:

1.    The Committee requested that areas without any current facilities be reviewed to see if any possible sites could be identified. 

2.    That a briefing note on aquatic sporting facilities in Westminster be sent to Members of the Committee.

3.    That a Task Group be established to look at the wider use of open spaces.

8.7       RESOLVED:

1.    The Committee congratulated Westminster City Council’s Sports and Leisure Unit in coming up with creative solutions to ensure their continued success and on the excellent variety of sports and leisure facilities available in Westminster

2.    That the Committee welcomed the open approach regarding the need to meet a number of on-going challenges and weaknesses and endorsed the work currently being undertaken particularly in trying to reach communities and groups who would not normally engage in sport or physical activity.