Luton Borough Council strategic vision for sport and physical activity April 2013
Contents
Item / Page1. Introduction and purpose / 1
2. Why develop a vision for sport? / 2
3. What is the scope of the vision? / 2
4. The participation challenge / 3
5. What are the priority outcomes Luton Borough Council is seeking to achieve? / 5
6. What will Luton Borough Council need to do to meet these outcomes? / 6
7. Who will we work with and how? / 7
8. How do we measure success? / 8
9. Next steps / 9
1. Introduction and purpose
This aim of this document is to provide a vision and policy statement outlining the Council’s ambitions, aims and objectives in relation to sport. This document is owned by the Council with the endorsement of a range of community stakeholders, and is intended to guide strategic decision-making related to sport.
Forming part of this document is an ‘outcomes framework’ for sport. This is designed to assess and highlight how sport makes a critical contribution to Luton Borough Council’s priority outcomes, and enables residents to live better lives. This framework, alongside refreshed, service-specific ambitions, will help align and integrate work to support the achievement of community outcomes.
In the Luton Borough Council Prospectus 2013-2016, the Council has committed to the delivery of a three point plan:
· To increase income from business growth (Business and Growth)
· To better equip residents of all ages to get jobs through investment in education and training (Education and Lifelong Learning)
· To work efficiently with other organisations to ensure the most vulnerable in Luton are safe and supported (Safe, Supported and Healthy)
The outcomes framework for sport demonstrates how service outcomes for sport contribute to these three priorities.
In relation to the third priority (Safe, Supported and Healthy): from April 2013, the Health and Wellbeing Board will take overall responsibility for cross-sector coordination and commissioning to improve the health and social care of people in Luton. The strategic vision for sport will contribute to the achievement of the three priority outcomes of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which are:
· Every child and young person has a healthy start in life
· Reduced health inequalities within Luton
· Healthier and more independent adults and older people
As above, the outcomes framework for sport demonstrates how service outcomes for sport contribute to these priorities.
Underpinning this document, a delivery and implementation plan will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders, which will identify the specific actions that need to be undertaken to meet the required outcomes.
2. Why develop a vision for sport and physical activity?
It is widely acknowledged that sport can contribute to a range of outcomes beyond participation itself, for example education and lifelong learning (through training, skills development and employment) and ensuring the most vulnerable in society are safe and supported (by reducing social isolation and displacing anti-social behaviour).
Increasing participation in sport and physical activity can also make a significant contribution, across the life-course, to a wide range of physical and mental health outcomes, and reduce health inequalities. Sport and physical activity has high preventative potential to reduce the burden of a broad range of chronic diseases in people at all stages of life and there is also evidence that demonstrates the impact of exercise as a treatment, reducing the need for expensive drugs, and potentially adding years to life.
Physical education forms the basis for children’s enjoyment and understanding of movement. It develops gross and fine motor skills. It promotes children’s understanding and application of healthy life styles. It supports social interactions through co-operation and competition. It helps children’s appreciation of effort, perseverance, practice and refinement. It supports their academic performance through increased concentration and focus.
Participation and involvement in the delivery of sport and physical activity can also be fun, lead to increased social interaction and the development of new relationships. This contributes to improved cohesion in communities.
Developing a vision for sport in Luton therefore ensures that the Council’s investment into sport effectively contributes to the authority’s overall outcomes. Beyond this, a vision for sport in Luton will provide:
· Clarity of priorities in times of austerity
· A means of securing resources through a clear, needs-based approach
· Ability to maximise use of resources through informed decision-making
· A meaningful post-2012 legacy
· A framework to realise Luton’s sporting ambitions
3. What is the scope of the vision?
The term ‘sport’ is open to a wide interpretation. Given the various stakeholders and agenda to which sport can make a contribution, it is agreed that the vision for sport in Luton encompasses a wide definition, to include formal and informal sport, active recreation and elements of physical activity. These activities are delivered or facilitated by a wide range of partners both indirectly (e.g. by the Borough Council through its enabling role) or directly (e.g. through programmes and interventions delivered by Active Luton and Team Beds & Luton, in leisure centres and club settings).
The scope of the vision includes all service providers and stakeholders outlined below as a minimum. One of the purposes of the document will be to bring services and stakeholders together around a shared vision for sport, to work towards meeting Luton Borough Council’s priority outcomes.
Definitions and what we mean by ‘sport’:
· Sport (sport walking, regular cycling, swimming, exercise and fitness training, structured competitive activity, individual pursuits, informal sport)
· Active recreation and physical activity (recreational walking and cycling, active play (children’s play areas), dance)
Not within the scope of this definition:
· Everyday activity (heavy housework, gardening and DIY)
· Active transport (e.g. cycling, walking to work)
What are the services/service providers that will be included?
· Luton Borough Council: parks and open spaces, children and education, housing and community living, public health, planning and asset management
· Active Luton: sports development, leisure facilities
· Team Beds & Luton: variety of outreach programmes targeting particular groups
· Clubs, coaches and voluntary sector
· Luton Sports Network
· National governing bodies of sport
· Education: schools, Further Education and Higher Education
4. The participation challenge
In terms of achieving an increase in participation in sport, Luton faces a number of challenges which can be addressed through the development of a vision for sport. Most recent participation data released December 2012 shows that almost 60% of the population of Luton are inactive (table 1). Compared to its CIPFA ‘nearest neighbours’ levels of regular participation amongst the adult population in Luton are lower (table 2).[1]
Table 1: Adult participation in sport and active recreation (NI8) - frequencies
APS 5/6 (October 2010 - October 2012)Number of days participation in the last 28 days
None / 1 to 11 days / 12 to 19 days / 20 to 28 days
Luton / 59.4% / 25.5% / 7.2% / 7.9%
Table 2: Adult participation in sport and active recreation (NI8) – comparators
APS1 / APS2 / APS3 / APS4 / APS5 / APS6 (Oct11-Oct12)National / 21.25% / 21.62% / 21.95% / 22.06% / 21.80% / 22.89%
Area name / APS 1
(Oct ‘05-Oct ‘06) / APS 2/3
(Oct ‘07-Oct ‘09) / APS 4/5
(Oct 09-Oct ‘11) / APS 5/6
(Oct ‘10-Oct ‘12)
Luton / 18.5% / 15.1% / 14.9% / 15.1%
Hillingdon / 20.8% / 20.4% / 16.2% / 18.0%
Slough / 19.4% / 16.1% / 17.6% / 17.1%
Wolverhampton / 16.1% / 16.2% / 20.7% / 21.9%
Birmingham / 17.2% / 17.6% / 19.5% / 18.8%
Evidence shows that there are socio-demographic differences in inactivity levels in Luton. These include higher levels of inactivity among females than males, higher levels within less affluent socio-economic groups and higher levels of inactivity among some Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups.[2] In summary:
· 64% of females are inactive (have not taken part in any form of sport or active recreation) compared to 48.9% of males
· 65.3% of people from socio-economic groups NS-SEC 5-8 are inactive compared to 44.1% from NS-SEC 1-2.
· 55% of people who are ‘white’ are inactive, lower than the proportion of people who are ‘non-white’ (58.4%)
As shown in tables 3 and 4 below, there are similar differences in terms of regular participation, with higher levels among males than females, lower levels within the least affluent socio-economic group and lower levels of regular activity among some BME groups.
Table 3: Adult participation in sport and active recreation (NI8) demographics
Gender / Age Band / Limiting illness or disability / Ethnic GroupMale / Female / 16 to 34 / 35 to 54 / 55 + / Yes / No / White / All other Ethnic Groups
National / 26.0% / 19.9% / 30.3% / 25.3% / 14.1% / 11.4% / 25.1% / 23.4% / 19.7%
Gender / Age Band / Limiting illness or disability / Ethnic Group
Male / Female / 16 to 34 / 35 to 54 / 55 + / Yes / No / White / All other Ethnic Groups
Luton / 18.2% / 11.9% / 18.7% / 15.8% / 9.3% / 9.5% / 16.1% / 16.7% / 12.9%
Hillingdon / 20.0% / 16.1% / 20.9% / 20.2% / 11.6% / 6.3% / 19.9% / 17.3% / 19.4%
Slough / 19.7% / 14.4% / 22.8% / 15.2% / 11.3% / 4.1% / 18.9% / 16.0% / 18.4%
Wolverhampton / 26.8% / 17.1% / 27.5% / 25.5% / 13.1% / 2.8% / 25.6% / 21.9% / 21.7%
Birmingham / 24.2% / 13.6% / 24.2% / 20.9% / 8.8% / 10.2% / 20.3% / 19.5% / 17.3%
NB: Participation data is less robust when Ethnic Groups are further differentiated, so this data is not presented.
Table 4: Adult participation in sport and active recreation (NI8) socio-economic status
APS 5/6 (October 2010 - October 2012)NSSEC1,1.1,1.2,2 Managerial and professional / NSSEC3 Intermediate / NSSEC4
Small employers / own account workers / NSSEC5,6,7,8
Lower supervisory/technical/ routine/semi-routine/never worked/long-term unemployed
Luton / 20.0% / 13.8% / 23.7% / 10.1%
In terms of participation, gender disparity is greater among BME communities. It is acknowledged that being a member of these communities is associated with higher incidences of disadvantage stemming from factors such as low income and poor health, which act as material constraints on participation. However ethnicity is not the sole defining criterion but the way ethnicity inter-relates with gender, class, income, disability, age, religion and other factors that shapes opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity.[3]
Sport and physical activity can be a powerful enabler for those with physical disabilities, offering them opportunities to be more mobile and to build their confidence which, as well as improving health and quality of life, can reduce the need for carers and support. Mental wellbeing is also enhanced through increased physical activity and sports participation.
· In Luton, 76.5% of people with a limiting disability or illness are inactive compared to 52.7% of those without.
· Only 9.1% of people with a limiting disability or illness take part regularly, compared to 16.1% of those without.
Detailed market segmentation data is available for sport which means that investment can be carefully targeted. In 2012, extensive market segmentation analysis has been undertaken by Sport England in partnership with Active Luton which supports this. This latent demand analysis highlights real potential for change through providing better (and more relevant) options and encouraging people towards them. A significant proportion of adults want to start playing sport or do more, but for barriers (often related to social or economic inequalities) preventing them. There are some groups for whom the benefits of increasing levels of physical activity would be particularly significant. Through targeted intervention, preventative programmes for specific groups can be designed to reduce participation inequalities.
The above analysis suggests that Luton Borough Council should focus on increasing participation levels generally, with specific interventions aimed at:
· Older people (aged 55+)
· Younger people (aged 16-34)
· Disabled people
· Women and girls
There is a need to increase participation among those ‘at risk’ of poor health through targeted programmes, given the significant proportion of the adult population who are inactive. This is particularly relevant to those from socio-economic groups who are more likely to experience health inequalities (i.e. NS SEC5-8).
Given the difference in rates of participation between people who are ‘white’ compared to ‘all other ethnic groups’, there is a need to further understand the factors that influence participation in sport for some BME groups and what the current barriers are, and deliver targeted interventions for these groups.
5. What are the priority outcomes Luton Borough Council is seeking to achieve?
As outlined above, sport can contribute to a wide range of community outcomes. Luton Borough Council has identified overarching strategic priorities within its Prospectus three point plan in order to meet community needs over the next three years. These strategic outcomes are those high-level, long-term outcomes that sport, along with other services, contributes to across the local population. The strategic outcomes form the basis for the strategic vision for sport and physical activity.
A number of service outcomes have then been identified through consultation with key partners, which contribute to these overarching priorities. Service outcomes for sport are those outcomes within the direct control of partners at a local level. These reflect the priorities in sport strategies, action plans; service plans etc. The consultation to identify these outcomes took place through a focused workshop session with stakeholders including Luton Borough Council (officers from planning, parks and open spaces, education, housing, community living and adult social care, and Councillor with the portfolio for sport), NHS, Active Luton and Team Beds & Luton. The service outcomes identified are:
· Increased participation among those ‘at risk’ of poor health through targeted programmes
· An increase in the numbers of active: older people; young people; disabled people; women and girls, and residents from BME communities taking part in sport at least once per week