Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hilton Spratt declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. He worked for Lincoln College.

Councillor Laura McWilliams declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. Her partner worked for LIncolnshire Football Association

Councillor Laura McWilliams declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. She was an Executive Volunteer for Lincoln United

Councillor Laura McWilliams declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. She was Chair of Lincoln Womans and Girls Football League.

Councillor Pat Vaughan declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. He was Vice-Chair of the Upper Witham Drainage Board

Councillor Pat Vaughan declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. HIs Grand Daughter worked in the Finance Section at City of Lincoln Council.

Councillor Pat Vaughan declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Facilities Strategy'. He was a supporter of Lincoln City Football Club.

Simon Colburn, Assistant Director (Health Environmental Services)

a.    presented the City Councils Facilities Strategy for comment prior to consideration by Executive.

b.    advised that in light of recent changes to the future growth plans of the City of Lincoln and in particular, planned urban extensions such as the Western Growth Corridor, a comprehensive Facilities Strategy was required to better understand the need for sporting facilities.

c.    explained that Sports England was a mandatory consultee on any planning application required for the proposed Western Growth Corridor development and would require a strategy before any consent was considered.

d.    referred to the Sports Facilities Assessment carried out by LK2  Associates on behalf of the City of Lincoln Council and advised that it reviewed the existing provision, current usage from sports clubs, predicted population growth, implications of the western growth corridor and the demographics of the catchment areas that surround the facilities.

e.    summarised the associated local and national sports strategies, which would influence key decisions for the sports being assessed in this review and in particular it had been aligned to the FA national pitch improvement plan (PIP)

f.     advised that the study concluded that that a tiered system should be developed for the provision of pitch based sports in the City as detailed at paragraph 3.7 of the report.

g.    explained that tier one facilities should be strategically located across the City to provide a ‘geographical split’ based on demand, population, density and available associated facilities. The remaining tiered facilities (2,3 and 4), would be then chosen to support the principal site in that sub region.

h.    advised that this approach would enable the City Council to retain control of the budget for sports and leisure facilities and strategically provide venues for sports teams and clubs based on a prescribed priority list.

i.      invited Members questions and comments.

Question: Had public consultation taken place?

Response: A public consultation had not taken place, however,  a club consultation had been undertaken on the principles of the strategy. The Facilities Strategy provided a framework and a Playing Pitch Strategy would be developed which would be more detailed and would include a public consultation.

Comment: Sports such as athletics and swimming had not been included in the strategy.

Response: Swimming and athletics had not been included, as the  strategy followed the Sports England Model for outdoor sports. A Built Facilities Strategy would be developed which would look in more detail at sports such as swimming and athletics.

Question: With all of the uncertainty of covid why had this strategy been developed now?

Response: The strategy provided a framework with planning applications and was needed for the Western Growth Corridor Planning Application.

Comment: There was a shortage of football pitches in Lincoln and only 2 cricket pitches.

Response: There were enough football pitches for adults and there was a small insufficient supply for youth football. It was very difficult to match pitches to the need. We would continue to work with football clubs to make sure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

Simon Colburn, Assistant Director (Health and Environmental Services)

a.    presented the City Councils Physical Activity Strategy for comment prior to consideration by Executive.

b.    referred to paragraph 2 of the report and gave an overview of the health profiles across the city.

c.    advised that in Lincoln 37.5% of adults and 47% of children did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity a week.

d.    explained that the Physical Activity Strategy included a 5 year action plan designed to improve the numbers taking part in physical activity, especially those from hard to reach groups. Interventions and programmes would also target specific deprived regions of Lincoln with challenging health and socio economic indices.

e.    highlighted the health benefits of exercise including mental health, improved self image and self esteem, improved educational attainment, community engagement and greater cohesion, increased life expectancy and improved experience of general health and well being.

f.     advised that the Physical Activity Strategy recommended a four point strategic plan as detailed at paragraph 3.4 of the report.

g.    explained that the Council would deliver these strategic objectives by delivering some of the improvements through its own activities and interventions. The Council would also facilitate other physical activity interventions through contracts and/ or partnerships with other local providers and would also support national and local campaigns promoting increased physical activity.

h.    advised that the City Council would work with various organisations and agencies to bring about change in the City as detailed at paragraph 3.6 of the report.

i.      referred to paragraph 3.8 of the report and advised that the Council aspired to be classified as an Active City by 2030 and further explained how this would be achieved.

j.      advised that the action plan within the Physical Activity Strategy would be monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that progress was frequently measured.

k.    invited member questions and comments

Comment: The pumpkin trail and selfie Christmas lights trails were fun and free ways of encouraging people to get out walking and suggested that more of these trails could be done.

Response: These sorts of activities were aspirations of the council.

Question: Could facilities in schools be used?

Response: Yes schools were essential,  all of the information including educational establishments would be included in the action plan. It was suggested that a draft of the action plan be brought to Policy Scrutiny for consideration.

Comment: There was a lower take up in Physical activity in certain areas of the City, such as Monks Road, they were the furthest away from any sports facilities.

Response: The data had identified that Monks Road had higher levels in the multiple deprivation indices and lower engagement in physical activity.

Comment: Members praised the report  noting that the contents were inspirational.

RESOLVED that

1.    member’s comments regarding the Physical Activity Strategy be noted and referred to Executive.

2.    That the action plan brought to a future Policy Scrutiny for consideration.