Consultation Draft
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Contents
Foreword ...... 3
Executive Summary ...... 4 - 5
Shaping the Strategy ...... 6 - 8
The Changing Shape of Poole ...... 9
Priorities for Leisure ...... 10
Action for Leisure in Poole ...... 11 - 19
Beaches & coastal protection ...... 11
Play & recreation ...... 12
Leisure centres ...... 13
Sports development & active lifestyles ...... 14
Parks, trees and woodlands ...... 15
Nature conservation ...... 16
Allotments ...... 17
Events and volunteering ...... 18
A well managed service...... 19
Contributing to wider priorities for Poole ..... 20 - 26
Safeguard the environment ...... 21
Health and wellbeing ...... 22
Independent & active later in life...... 23
A great place to grow up ...... 24
Stronger and safe communities ...... 25
A dynamic economy ...... 26
2
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
Foreword
Leisure should be
an important part of
everyone’s lives. We
want more people to get
active, get greener and
get involved . . .
. . . to fully achieve this, Leisure Services is
providing an efficient and effective service
which values collaboration with other public
agencies, general public, voluntary groups
and local businesses.
This strategy presents to Councillors, staff,
partners and stakeholders the priorities for
Leisure Services up to 2015. The need for
this strategy is increasingly important at this
time when finances are very limited; whilst the
needs, expectations and aspirations of our
customers and partners are increasing.
This strategy also sets out how Leisure
Services is contributing to the bigger picture
during these challenging times in areas
such as the economy, stronger and safe
communities, the environment, older and
younger people.
In such economically dif ficult times for
many residents in Poole, Leisure Services
can continue to ensure fair, affordable and
accessible leisure facilities, especially as
beaches and parks are available seven days
a week, 52 weeks of the year free of charge.
As part of understanding residents’ leisure
needs we asked people to share with us
their favourite leisure moments. Responses
included “a day at the beach”, “playing in
the park” and “a swim at the pool”. From
comments received it was clear that people
have benefitted from our leisure provision
over many generations in the same family.
This is a reminder that this strategy should
safeguard provision for future generations
even when the current times are tough.
Cllr Judy Butt
Portfolio Holder
Clive Smith
Head of Leisure Services
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
3
Executive Summary
Introducing the Leisure Strategy
This strategy sets out the priorities for Leisure
Services which are determined using existing
provision, consultation, research, other
strategies and plans and emerging trends and
issues. In particular the strategy makes clear
what can be achieved with declining budgets
due to the difficult economic climate.
The strategy shows the Council’s commitment
to improving leisure provision in order to get
more people active and healthy, conserve
wildlife, address climate change and enable
greater involvement from all sectors to
enhance the leisure facilities and activities
available.
Preparing for
challenging times ahead
For many years Leisure Services has improved
p ro d u c ti v i t y a n d va lu e fo r m o n ey a n d this
approach will be increasingly important in the
future. Leisure Services has a strong background
i n p u b l i c h e a l t h, c o m m u n i t y s te w a rd s h i p,
managing parks and natural habitats, and being
accessible to the most vulnerable in society.
Therefore, Leisure Services is ideally placed to
respond to new Government initiatives in areas
such as public health, localism, the big society,
greenspace protection and welfare reform.
To improve value for money Leisure Services
has reduced unnecessary costs and increased
income from leisure assets; whilst remaining
affordable to users. However, in future there
will be both reduced Government support and
developer contributions so further savings and
income will need to be found whilst protecting
frontline provision and affordability to users.
Beyond simply the fun that beaches, greenspace
and recreation offer, these facilities make a much
greater contribution to the people and environment
of Poole. Good leisure provision helps people be
healthier and live longer, helps communities be
safer and more welcoming, gives volunteers
purpose, skills and confidence, provides wildlife
with safe havens, shapes the built environment
and provides the local economy with facilities
and natural beauty that attracts investment in
business and people.
Our priorities for Leisure
By 2015 we want more people to
● Get Active for healthier lifestyles
● Get Greener for a better environment
● Get Involved to make a positive difference
We will know if we are achieving these priorities if
we can measure and demonstrate:
● Increased rates of participation and regular
use of our leisure provision
● Continued high satisfaction and recognition
for quality facilities and services
● Increased volunteering and shared
stewardship of leisure provision
● Favourable condition for nature reserves
● Reduced our impact on the environment
and adapted to climate change
● Provided a more user focused, value for
money, well managed service.
4
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
Priority projects for Leisure
Leisure Services will prioritise supporting
the following priority projects:
● Poole’s Beach Masterplan
● Upton Country Park Improvement Plan
● The Poole Heathland Plan
● Trees for Poole
● Grow Your Own
● The Greenspace
Our values and approach
Leisure Services is committed to the Councils
values and approach which is to support:
● Public Focus
● Efficiency Outcomes
● Openness and Integrity
● Partnership Working
● Leadership
● Equality and Diversity
in numbers
Each year:
1,000,000 visits to Council leisure centres
3000 greenspace volunteer hours
1,200 annual beach hut hires
1,100 sport matches
Leisure manages:
1,067 hectares of greenspace
406 allotments
100 community events
68 woodlands
56 sports pitches
53 outdoor play sites
40 parks
Leisure
Business Concessions Plan
● Leisure Centre Improvements
● Synthetic Turf Pitches
● Pavilion improvements
● Ashdown athletics facility
● Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
“I rowed head to head against James Cracknell
at Dolphin swimming Pool.”
R. Slocombe
“Splashing in muddy puddles with my son
at Upton Country Park.”
Martin Whitchurch
“Cycling with my daughter over Ham Common.
Walking in Upton Country Park. Playing on
Sandbanks beach. Watching boats go out at Poole
Quay. Craft events at Upton Country Park.”
24 concession sites
17% of the land is greenspace
8 sports pavilions
4 skate parks
4 leisure centres
3½ miles of Blue Flag beaches
3 Green Flag Award parks
3 fitness trails
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
5
Shaping the strategy
In preparing this strategy it was necessary
to review the needs, expectations and
aspirations for Leisure Services.
This meant taking on board the views of
service users, community groups, partner
a g e n c i e s a n d c o u n c i l s e r v i c e s. T h i s
revealed not only what Leisure Services
should prioritise but also what people could
do to help themselves.
With this is mind Leisure Ser vices has
approached this strategy by making clear its
own priorities for delivery whilst promoting a
culture across Leisure Services of enabling
and par tnering w ith existing and new
providers to achieve the outcomes that
together we are all working towards.
Reviewing Government Policy
The Government’s policy announcements include
strands of particular importance to leisure in
Poole. These include :
● Localism Bill establishing powerful new rights
for local people and communities; a bigger
say over their area through a new right to
challenge to take over services; a new right
to bid to buy local assets.
● Wildlife priorities including a new
“Firework nights.; Bike
Nights. I have taken
part in festival of
running. Having a drink
and fish and chips while
sitting on the quay.”
designation – similar to SSSIs – to protect
green areas; new measures to protect
wildlife and promote greenspaces and
wildlife corridors; and a national tree
planting campaign.
● Big Society including: expansion of
Implications for Leisure Services includes:
● Localism supports the ongoing review
into increasing community stewardship of
leisure facilities and services.
● Wildlife policy supports ongoing efforts to
social enterprise to run public services,
encouraging charitable giving; introduction
of National Citizen Service for 16 year olds;
a new generation of community organisers
and groups; encouragement of volunteering
● Transfer local health improvement functions
increase tree cover, safeguard and manage
natural habitats and parks.
● The Big Society emphasises our current
programme for encouraging volunteering,
community stewardship and developing
clubs and societies.
● Public health policy will build upon our role
to local government, with earmarked
funding allocated to local government from
April 2013
● The Welfare Reform Bill aims to simplify the
in encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.
● Welfare Reform has implications for the
benefits system in order to improve work
incentives.
Council’s commitment to ensuring fair
and affordable access for people in
receipt of benefit.
6
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
Shaping the strategy
What is the purpose of
Leisure Services?
Leisure Services ensures delivery of the Council’s
core duties and responsibilities for managing the
provision of beaches, greenspace and recreation
in Poole. This includes the Council ensuring
neighbourhoods have access to affordable and
well managed leisure facilities throughout the
Borough. Through this provision, Leisure Services
also aims to contribute to the Borough of Poole’s
wider strategic issues see (page 21)
Why is a strategy required?
L e is u re S e r v i c e s a i m s to m e e t t h e n e e d s,
expectations and aspirations of people,
communities, neighbourhoods and par tners
throughout the Borough. With limits to funding and
capacity there is also a need to reflect upon the
key issues and challenges in order to identify and
agree the key priorities to achieve by 2015.
This strategy presents to a wide audience the
nature of these priorities.
What is the scope of the strategy?
This strategy focuses on Council funded beaches,
greenspace and recreation facilities and services
including:
● Beaches, beach huts, coastal protection
and flooding
● Greenspaces, parks and gardens, natural
habitats, allotments, woodland and urban
trees, road verges and play areas
● Sports and recreation, leisure centres,
How was the strategy prepared?
In developing this strategy, a wide range of
people were engaged, along with a review of
relevant surveys, research and strategies.
In addition a stakeholder day was held involving
the public, community groups, Councillors and
partner organisations. Further drop in sessions
were arranged for Leisure Service staff and other
Council services to discuss implications on each
other’s work programmes.
pavilions, sports development and
active lifestyles
This strategy also has implications for other
Council Services, namely:
● Adult Social Care
● Asset Management and Property
● Children & Young People
● Environmental & Consumer Protection
● Legal & Democratic
● Planning & Regeneration,
● Transportation
“The last of the sun – watching it set from
Baiter looking towards Poole Quay.”
Jill Floyd
“All events published about what is going
on in the Quay – Fireworks and bikes
etc. Walking in Upton Country Park then
having tea at the Peacock tea rooms.”
Liz Huddle
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
7
Shaping the strategy
Who is the strategy for?
“Riding on the
Poole Park train.”
Leon Corbin (2)
The strategy is primarily aimed at
● Elected Councillors,
● Council staff,
● Partner organisations,
● Local community groups
● Prospective funders.
Our business partners
Leisure Services work in partnership in a variety
of ways to deliver our work in Poole, such as
● Leisure centre management by
Sports & Leisure Management Ltd,
Grounds maintenance by Continental
Landscapes Ltd, Beach lifeguarding
by RNLI
● Working together with other Council
What is not covered?
Because leisure is a broad theme we highlight
here other leisure provision that is not provided by
Leisure Services. For example:
● School grounds except joint provision with
Delivering The Leisure Services
Strategy in Partnership
Engaging with communities
Engaging with communities is valued by both
Leisure Services and local groups. We regularly
exchange views and opinions and actively work
together on projects and service provision. The
range of groups we engage with include:
● Residents Groups
● Service User Groups
● Sports Clubs
● Friends Groups
● Safer Neighbourhood Panels
● Specialist Interest Groups
● Schools, colleges and universities
services on strategy and operational
matters
● Hosting local business to provide
attractions and events in parks and on
beaches
● Operational and strategic matters with
Leisure Services
● Libraries, arts and museums
● Leisure provided by Children’s Services
● Private and charitable sector provision on
Dorset Police, Dorset Fire & Rescue,
Environment Agency, Natural England,
Primary Care Trust, Doctors’ Surgeries
● Working beyond Poole with Bournemouth
land not managed by Leisure Services.
Leisure Ser vices also manage provision of
cemeteries and crematorium which fall outside of
the scope of this strategy
and Dorset local authorities
Resourcing Leisure Services
The net spend on Leisure Services has reduced
from £7.1 million in 2002/3 to £4 million in 2011/12.
In 2011/12 the growth spend of Leisure Services
is £9 million, income £5 million and net spend
£4 million.
8
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
The changing shape of Poole
Future Change in Poole for
dwellings and population
By 2015 Poole’s population will see a predicted
increase by 3% to 145,100; the number of younger
children increasing and numbers of older children
declining; the numbers of over 65’s increasing by
14% (4,000 adults) to 33,500.
By 2026 there is provision for 10,000 additional
dwellings. The ageing population is expected to
aspire for more leisure activities to be available.
Implications for Leisure Services includes:
● Continuing investment in play
● Additional greenspace and improving
The future direction for the Borough of Poole is
best summed up….
“Looking ahead, we will have to make further
savings and it is clear that Government policy
expects the size and role of local councils to
radically change. Councils will still provide
the essential services but will be expected to
do less, with less money, while helping our
residents to better support themselves and
their communities.
Taken together, this new level of reduced
funding, increased pressure, policy changes
and risk ex posures add up to a dif ferent
outlook for local government”
John McBride,
Chief Executive, Borough of Poole
Implications for Leisure Services include:
Continuing to identify savings and efficiencies.
However, Leisure Services is in a strong position
to:
● Extend existing efforts to increase
quality of existing greenspace
● Developing more capacity within leisure
centres and sports facilities and reacting
to changes in demand for services and
activities
● Increasing demand from older population
Challenging times
for the Borough of Poole
The Government’s response to debt reduction has
led to challenging times for local authorities and
communities, in particular the Council is facing
“Making sandcastles with
my partner, pretending
we were 10 again! Best
beaches ever!!”
Hannah Carling
“Hundreds of Happy
People at the opening of
Kingston Road play area.”
Richard Nicholson
● Inflation as an issue for the first time in years
● A year on year funding reduction.
● The need to find service efficiencies before
cutting frontline services
● Partner agencies are experiencing the same
financial pressures
● A requirement to identify savings and
stewardship of leisure facilities by local
groups and communities
● Charge fair fees for some leisure facilities
efficiencies of more than £14 million on its
budget for 2011/12.
and activities
● Enable business concessions to extend
leisure provision whilst reducing the Council
subsidy for leisure.
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
9
Priorities for Leisure
By 2015 we want more people to
● Get Active for healthier lifestyles
● Get Greener for a better environment
● Get Involved to make a positive difference
Priority projects for Leisure
Leisure Services has a wide range of improvements
planned, many as part of routine activities. Some
of the larger initiatives include:
● Poole’s Beach Masterplan to improve the
We will know if we are achieving these priorities
if we can measure and demonstrate:
● Increased rates of participation and regular
facilities and activities on beaches
● Upton Country Park Improvement Plan
“Cycling around the
harbour on a sunny day”
Chris Owens
“When the helicopter crew of ‘Whisky brave’
landed to open Whitecliff play area!”
Kay Kitcatt
use of our leisure provision
● Continued high satisfaction and recognition
to improve the visitor experience and cost
effectiveness
● Poole Heathland Plan will bring together
for quality facilities and services
● Increased volunteering and shared
stewardship of leisure provision
● Favourable condition for nature reserves
● Reduced impact on the environment and
efforts to achieve favourable conditions for
wildlife on heathlands.
● Trees for Poole will identify new areas for
individual and group planting of trees
● Grow Your Own will identify new providers
adaptation to climate change
● Provision of a more user focused, value for
of land for community food projects
● Greenspace Business Concessions Plan
money, well managed service
to increase the range of activities and
facilities on public greenspace
● Leisure Centres Investment Programme
to modernise our facilities and improve the
customer experience
● Sports Facility Improvements including
pavilion and synthetic turf pitches, enabling
more people to play sport more often
10
Leisure Strategy for Poole
Beaches, Greenspace and Recreation 2011 to 2015
Action for Leisure in Poole
What we will do
BC 1. Implement Poole’s Shoreline Management
Plan guarding against erosion and
flooding
BC 2. Produce a Strategic Flood Risk
Assessment