Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director (JY).

Background Documents - Draft Built Facilities, Playfields, Pitches, Play Areas Parks and Open Spaces

These independent reports have informed the councils draft  proposals for the future of its built leisure facilities, playing pitches and play areas , they have not in themselves been adopted by the Council as policy or strategy.

Public consultation on the Councils proposals will take place if the Executive approve the draft proposals for consultation at its meeting on 12^th February.

The Director (JY) presented the report setting out proposals for how Council built facilities, playing fields, play areas and parks could be developed in future to contribute to the strategic vision of Exeter becoming the most physically active city in England and encouraging those most at risk of inactivity to become active in everyday life. A consultation process would give the residents, community organisations and stakeholders the opportunity to feedback on the draft strategy.

There was a clear need for the Council to set out an integrated strategy for the future of built sports facilities, playing fields, pitches, play areas and open spaces. Although delivery of sport and leisure facilities was a discretionary area for the Council, it was important that the draft Physical Activity Strategy and the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot, provide good quality, accessible, community based built sports and leisure facilities and preserved and improved the city’s pitches, playing fields, play areas, parks and open spaces. With on-going funding cuts to Councils it was also necessary to consult on choices available. With the exception of the planned new build St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Complex, there was an aging estate and a strategic approach was necessary to determine areas for future investment which would also need to be in line with the Greater Exeter Strategic Partnership (GESP). Further aspects included a needs led approach to Play Area provision across the city and for the Council, within its statutory duty as a local planning authority for the provision and protection of sport, green spaces and recreation facilities, to publish an assessment of current and future needs for playing fields and pitches.

The Director (DB) detailed proposals for the play areas, parks and open spaces. A number of the 83 play areas across the city were not fit for purpose and decisions were necessary on the way forward for either replacing or focusing on areas with the greatest need. A reduction to 80 play areas across the city with three new Destinations play parks is being proposed. The document outlined a potential investment of £3.7 million, subject to consultation. A funding strategy would need to be developed to the support the proposed investments. 

The Portfolio Holder for Place and Commercialisation stated that this document covered two different portfolios of sport and parks and open spaces. He commented on the varied range of play facilities across the 83 sites and that, whilst some closures were suggested, the Council would assess needs on a city wide basis. It was important that the Council ensured every child had access to play facilities with equipment suitable for children of all abilities. The Council needed a comprehensive and robust strategy which would include Destination parks and provision for all age ranges including trim trails for people who were less mobile. The Council was looking to enhance provision and identify funding sources to support this.

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport referred to the importance of engaging local people on future provision to allay any concerns regarding the loss of open spaces and emphasised the relationship between the built facilities and the Council’s overall vision and activity strategy including work with the NHS to promote healthy activity lifestyles. This vision would build on the success of the Wellbeing Exeter project where, since 2015, over 2,000 people had benefited through the social prescribing initiative. He highlighted the following three key elements of future built leisure facilities:-

·         the redevelopment of the Exeter Arena and ISCA Centre into a Community Sports Village including a community leisure centre and a 25 metre swimming pool to replace the Northbrook Pool;

·         retaining the Riverside Leisure Centre and Community Swimming Pool to maintain and provide access on this side of the river; and

·         an innovative, new build integrated Community Health and Wellbeing Centre to replace the existing Wonford Sports and community centres.

The Director (JY) highlighted the success of the social prescribing scheme and the work with Sports England. In response to a question, the Director explained that a Community Asset Transfer Policy was in development.

Members supported the document and welcomed the approach outlined in the draft strategy.

RESOLVED that the draft strategy be approved for public consultation with a final report to be presented to Council in July 2019.