Agenda item

Exeter Live Better Move More Physical Activity Strategy

To consider the report of the Director, Communities Health Wellbeing Sport and Leisure.

 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder, Leisure & Physical Activity Leisure introduced the report which described the public consultation on the draft strategy and proposed minor changes to the original proposals, following feedback which included comments on accessibility, active and sustainable travel as well as prioritising the Canal and Quay assets for physical activity.  The Portfolio Holder recommended that the revised Exeter Live Better and Move More Physical Activity Strategy be adopted.

 

It was acknowledged that Exeter had a relatively young and affluent population which tended to be more active, however some areas of Exeter were also amongst the most deprived in the country.  This Strategy would help to drive forward the ambition for everyone to benefit from an active lifestyle. The feedback from the draft proposals were overwhelmingly positive with 94% respondents to the survey, in support of the overall vision approach.  The consultation had attracted 1,650 responses from individuals and organisations and included online and face to face survey reports, written responses and face to face conversations with residents.  It was noted that in paragraph 8.2 of the report, that the dates of the public consultation were undertaken between 25 March and 10 May 2019, and the consultation contact email address should be noted as active@exeter.gov.uk

 

The Strategy offered a once in a generation opportunity, and the involvement of the Sport England Pilot would make a sustained difference to ensure that physical activity was a part of everyone’s daily lives. It would also provide the overall direction for increasing physical activity in Exeter and covered three important areas:-

 

·    Tackling congestion and accessibility

·    Promoting active and health lifestyles and

·    Building great neighbourhoods

 

The Portfolio Holder Leisure & Physical Activity responded to Members’ queries:-

 

·    the Strategy was informed by the work of Sport England, but was a Council Strategy to encourage people to become more active.

 

·    the Strategy was part of a high level aspiration, which, although not exhaustive, included the Sport England pilot, consideration of the leisure facilities in the city, the open environment such as parks, pitches, the Canal and Quayside, and also ways to reduce congestion in the city.

 

The Director Communities, Health Wellbeing Sport and Leisure responded to Members’ questions as follows:-

 

·    building any physical activity into daily life to improve health and wellbeing was important and a Member’s comment that working on an allotment or in the garden is a good example of this.

 

·    although the Strategy did not explicitly reference disability, ensuring appropriate accessibility and promoting active participation applies to both able bodied and those with disabilities and does not discriminate on that basis.  The intention was to focus on the areas of greatest need and address those who had the most challenges, which may include those with disabilities and other protected characteristics.

 

The Director confirmed that funding from the Sport England Delivery Pilot would expand the number of community builders and introduce new physical activity roles into Wellbeing Exeter. Wellbeing Exeter was currently funded by the City Council, Devon County Council and the Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and Sport England funding would enhance and expand the existing programme.

 

A Member was able to respond to another Member’s enquiry who had sought an update on the progress of the Devon County Council’s Cycling and Walking Strategy. It was noted that this matter would be considered by Devon County Council’s Place Scrutiny Committee later in September.

 

Place Scrutiny Committee supported:-

 

(1)     the revised Exeter Live Better and Move More Physical Activity Strategy in the light of the overwhelming positive feedback from the comprehensive public consultation process and the minor amendments made to the original proposals; and                           

 

(2)     requested Executive to support and recommend that Council adopt the revised Exeter Live Better and Move More Physical Activity Strategy.          

 

Supporting documents: