To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support in relation to the Board’s continued work in supporting the development of a systems approach to physical activity in Leeds.
Minutes:
The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report in relation to the Board’s continued work in supporting the development of a systems approach to physical activity in Leeds.
The following information was appended to the report:
- Key impacts of an active lifestyle to physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The following were in attendance:
- Councillor James Lewis, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Resources and Strategy
- Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council
- Martin Farrington, Director of City Development
- Cluny Macpherson, Chief Officer (Culture and Sport)
- Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles
- Anna Frearson, Chief Officer (Consultant in Public Health).
The Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles provided a PowerPoint presentation briefly reminding the Board of the key benefits of developing a whole systems approach to physical activity as well as the main challenges and key ‘asks’ in terms of support needs to help achieve this vision, which were summarised as follows:
- To make being physically active a Best Council Plan priority or obsession
- Support development of a new integrated city strategy for Physical Activity
- Commit to enabling a physically active LCC workforce
- Local elected members to help lead a social movement in their communities
The key areas of discussion were:
· The development of a city wide “Move More Leeds” type campaign in recognition that physical activity is wider than just sport.
· The need to recruit a Chair and Board members of a new strategic body with oversight of the new strategy and campaign, which could potentially supersede the Sport Leeds Board as currently constituted.
· A suggestion that relevant officers be invited to attend Community Committee meetings to promote the health benefits of physical activity.
· The challenges utilising privately owned facilities for community use.
· The role of ward members in building on approaches to physical activity in their communities and particularly in identifying assets and capabilities for physical activity within communities.
· Development of a LCC physical activity policy including, for example, design of future office space, targeted support programmes for staff, developing a culture where being active is the norm in the LCC workplace, advocacy role with other employers in the city.
· A recognised need to consider how physical activity can be embedded into the built environment; through informed and continued planning policy and supplementary guidance and with any recommendations and best practice reported to and considered by Planning Board.
· Improving connectively across the city and particularly between smaller villages to enable and encourage more active travel and lifestyles.
· Particular issues were raised in relation to non-registration of public rights of way and the role and resource capacity of the existing public rights of way team to be able to address this issue quickly.
· A recognised need for all young people to build a habit of being physically active and for this to be recognised as a key priority within the new children's and young people plan.
RESOLVED –
(a) That the issues raised as part of the Board’s work into supporting the development of a systems approach to physical activity in Leeds, be noted.
(b) That the Board receives a further update later in the municipal year, with particular reference to the development of a new strategic body that could potentially supersede the Sport Leeds Board as currently constituted.
(Councillor M Robinson left the meeting at 11.15am during the consideration of this item.)
Supporting documents: