1 Introduction

This section provides the detailed background research which informed the analysis of the local issues (section 3). It includes:

• the area profile - key socio-economic facts and current performance in terms of key quality of life indicators;
• the local infrastructure for sport and active recreation;
• other relevant local research and consultation on sport and active recreation.

2. Local socio-economic & demographic issues

2.1 Demographic issues

• The mix of rural and urban communities may cause difficulties for people accessing some services. This also seems to influence community perceptions on the allocation of resources and the availability of services.
• The high number of people working in lower level supervisory, technical operations and in semi routine and routine occupations presents a particular challenge. People in these lower paid jobs are less likely to take part in sport and active recreation than those in higher paid jobs.
• Population forecasts suggest the effects of the ageing population will be felt more acutely in North Lincolnshire. This presents particular challenges in increasing participation especially as research shows that participation declines with age.

2.2 Local health issues

The following outline is based on data from the Health Poverty Index (HPI). It’s the result of a joint project between the Social Disadvantage Research Centre at the University of Oxford and the South East Public Health Observatory and local research done by Communities Count for the Local Strategic Partnership.

• For all indicators of health status the situation for North Lincolnshire people is considerably worse than in the country as a whole. Fewer residents report they are in good health compared to the national average. Of 26North Lincolnshire national indicators of health poverty, North Lincolnshire rates worse than average in 18.
• Incidence of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are all far greater than the national average, with obesity in the worst 10 per cent in England. The estimated obesity prevalence - 27.1 per cent in North Lincolnshire - is significantly higher than the England average (22.2 per cent) and the highest level in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

• The North Lincolnshire Adolescent Lifestyle Survey (2004) found that smoking among teenagers in North Lincolnshire was significantly higher than the national average. In North Lincolnshire, drinking appears to start earlier than average, with higher rates of drinking amongst 11 to 13 year olds than reported nationally. The

Adolescent Lifestyle Survey research identified the potential for sport and physical activity to help divert young people from risky behaviour before it becomes ‘normal’ to them

 

2.3 Quality of life

The following outline is based on data from an Audit Commission report monitoring the performance of local councils on a number of ‘quality of life indicators’.

• Satisfaction among people living in North Lincolnshire on their access to nature, parks and open spaces is low. Local consultation during the development of the strategy also identified concerns over the quality of parks and open spaces. There were perceptions that these were not safe to be in; particularly in the Scunthorpe area. This could create barriers to informal activity.

• Relatively low performance (compared to other local authorities) on residents’ perceptions of activities for teenagers and community activities in general may point to the need for more sport and physical activity opportunities.
• Almost 5.6 per cent of the population cycle to work. This is twice the national average for all local council areas. It suggests a hidden demand for cycling in North Lincolnshire. The number of people who walk to work, however, is below the national average.
• Levels of car ownership are below the national average. This has clear implications for access to services.

2.4 Participation in sport and physical activity

The following information is taken from a number of sources including: the national Active People Survey (Sport England 2006), the North Lincolnshire

Household Survey, a community consultation activity carried out during the course of developing this strategy, and a street survey undertaken by

Sheffield Hallam University in March 2006.

• 19.1 per cent of residents regularly participate in sport and active recreation (defined as 30 minutes of moderate activity on at least three occasions per week).
• Nearly 54 per cent of residents are inactive. This means they do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week. Only 11 per cent of residents do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week. This is the level of activity recommended by the Chief Medical Officer for health benefits.
• There are even greater levels of inactivity in certain groups. For example, 72 per cent of residents aged 55 and over, 58.5 per cent of residents from the most disadvantaged socio-economic, and 76 per cent of residents with a limiting disability do less than 30 minutes of moderate activity each week.
• Self-assessed levels of physical activity in community consultation suggest that resident's significantly over estimate how active they are in relation to the recommended levels for good health.
• When asked what can be done to encourage people to become more active, having access to suitable and good quality facilities that represent good value for money was a key motivating factor by over a fifth of residents. The community consultation events and surveys also found the priorities as more affordable activities, more activities and better facilities.
• Over 38.8 per cent of residents surveyed in community consultation had never used a North Lincolnshire Council sports facility. A further 12.4 per cent of residents had not been to a facility in the last year. This is not explained by use of alternative facilities as there is little evidence of use of the private or voluntary sector or travel to facilities outside the council’s boundary. Investment by the council in new and better facilities offers the opportunity to improve performance in this area by providing a range of attractive, high quality facilities.
• 64.2 per cent of residents are satisfied or fairly satisfied with sports provision in the area. Whilst this is lower than the regional average (68.7 per cent) plans are already in place to address this issue through the facility modernisation and investment in Building Schools for the Future.
• 19 per cent of residents are members of a club (including health and fitness) compared to a regional average of 23 per cent. 15 per cent of residents have taken part in organised competitive sport in the last 12 months and 13 per cent had received tuition from an instructor or coach.
• Around 85 per cent of residents surveyed agreed or tended to agree that investment in sport and physical activity improved people's health. This is a key message for future decisions on investment.
• In the community focus groups there was some confusion expressed regarding pricing, and conflicting ideas around the existence of and eligibility criteria for concessions. There were widespread concerns that the use of facilities in North Lincolnshire should continue to represent good value for money.
• People with an interest in the delivery of sport, active recreation and physical activity said a key issue was low aspirations in the area. They said work was needed to raise aspirations and levels of self esteem, particularly in young people.
• The North Lincolnshire Adolescent Lifestyle Survey (2004) found that almost 20 per cent of 11 year olds and 32 per cent of 14 year olds said they did no sport outside of school time. Watching TV was identified as the most popular pastime with most of the 11 to 14 age group spending an average of two hours a day watching television.
• Further research with 1,100 young people aged 14 to 19 was carried out in December 2005 and January 2006 by the Crosby Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder. This was part of the Shout research project. Here 57 per cent of young people surveyed said they thought Scunthorpe was a good place to live. When asked what would make Scunthorpe a better place to live, 32 per cent said the need for better sports, leisure and/or youth facilities (this was the most popular response to this question), followed by it being a cleaner more attractive place (31 per cent). Consultation by the Youth Service showed that young people locally want more opportunities for dance, access to floodlit games areas, skating and skateboarding facilities.
  

3. Infrastructure to support the development of opportunities for sport, active recreation & physical activity

3.1 1 Role of North Lincolnshire Council - Leisure Services

The Council's strategic plan sets out the priorities for Council managed services, and specifically how it will contribute to the delivery of the Community Strategy and the shared ambitions. Leisure Services have taken the lead in the Development of Active Choices Active Futures in line with the priorities of the service and have secured active involvement of other Council services to ensure its successful delivery. The wide involvement of other Council departments is illustrated throughout the strategy development process and in the strategy implementation plan.

Strategic Aims of Leisure Services More People actively participating in cultural, recreational and other community based leisure activities irrespective of age, ability, ethnicity or economic / social circumstances.

Quality Services that meet the expectations of customers and potential customers and which staff are proud to deliver.

Better Value for both customers and council tax payers. Implementing this strategy with key partners will be a key focus for the Council and it has already identified some key areas of work, which are embedded in the Community Strategy. These include the provision of high quality leisure opportunities and ensuring access to a core range of leisure facilities, further details of which are provided later in this section.

3.2 Local partnerships for sport, active recreation and physical activity

Research carried out for this strategy suggests local partnerships are working well, especially between sport and leisure, education and the Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The North Lincolnshire PCT has identified the rising levels of obesity in the area and the fact that North Lincolnshire is statistically one of the worst areas in the country. The Obesity Strategy (2006) identifies its commitment to a multi-agency approach to promote healthier lifestyles for adults and young people. This includes a number of initiatives aimed at increasing physical activity levels. Future initiatives will include continuing support to community schemes through the HeartWell programme, the launch of Health in the Workplace, and specific Men’s Health initiatives.

 

The PCT will be working with North Lincolnshire Council to develop work around physical activity and older people. This work is the result of a successful bid for Partnerships for Older People’s Projects (POPPS). Work is also planned with the Active Ageing Development Officer, a post funded through a Local Public Service Agreement.

The leisure group which sits under the Local Strategic Partnership was felt to be less active than the Safer Communities Group which has had greater impact, especially around volunteering.

North Lincolnshire Council has been an active member of the Humber Sports Partnership (HSP) since its inception in 1999, working closely with North East Lincolnshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull Councils. Over the past five years the HSP has predominantly been focused on the delivery of the former “Active Sports” programme, with much success, working in partnership with the various governing bodies of sport.

The HSP has recently been through a significant review process, changing its role in line with the new responsibilities identified for County Sports Partnerships within the 'delivery system' for sport. The HSP has a particular focus on the development of community sports opportunities for young people and the development of more opportunities for hard to reach groups and those not engaged in community sport.

The HSP has 6 key priority areas of work which will support this strategy:

• Player Pathways/Whole Sport Plans – local prioritisation, interpretation and coordination of National Governing Body Whole Sport Plans, focusing on building the capacity of the voluntary sector to provide a greater range of sustainable opportunities for sport and active recreation

• Strategic Coordination– Establish and maintain a fit for purpose HSP and work with Local Authority partners and others to drive forward the development of Community Sports Networks, linked to the delivery of Local Area Agreements and local Action Plans for sport and active recreation. To work with the Youth Sport Trust and School Sport Partnerships, providing support for the delivery of the PESSCL programme. Support the coordination of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy programme, ensuring maximisation of opportunities for the Humber sub-region

• Wider Partners – engaging wider partners predominantly through the work of the Community Sports Networks to support the delivery of sport and recreation opportunities

• Workforce Development – to work with Skills Active UK and Sports Coach UK to develop and implement the “Humber Workforce Development Plan”

• Information, Marketing and Communication – production of a Communications Plan which aims to increase the profile of sport and active recreation across the Humber, including the collecting, interpreting and sharing of information across networks

• Performance Measurement and Standards – The Equality Framework for Sport; Child Protection Standard; Towards an Excellent Service
  

The HSP therefore has a key role to play, working with North Lincolnshire to achieve the target of increasing participation in sport and active recreation by one per cent each year.

There is an established School Sport Partnership (SSP) in Scunthorpe, with High RidgeSpecialist Sports College as its hub. The recent addition of the

Baysgarth SSP in Sept 2006 means that all North Lincolnshire schools are now in a partnership. More investment is due in the sports hall and changing rooms at High Ridge in addition to a synthetic pitch. The partnership development plan for High Ridge identifies a number of areas for improvement, for example developing primary school sports days, helping talented performers, opportunities for dance and gymnastics, and the current focus on competitive activity. Good work has been done on informal activity in partnership with the Play Development Officer. Two Community Sports Coaches for the Street Sport project (via the County Sport Partnership) began work during 2006. The main function of the SSPs, to support the development of out of school learning and to foster school and community club links, will also help the work of the council’s Extended Schools team. This is to support schools to achieve the different aspects of the Core Offer. In particular the SSPs will support the development of the varied study support activities, family learning opportunities and community access to facilities.

3.3 The voluntary sector

The Active People Survey (Sport England 2006) shows that 5.5 per cent of residents volunteer at least one hour per week to support sport and active recreation in North Lincolnshire. This is above the regional and national average (4.7 and 4.8 per cent respectively). There is more evidence suggesting that sports-related volunteering is an important feature within North Lincolnshire. Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire has a database of 960 voluntary and community groups - most of these are sport and leisure groups.

However, there are capacity issues for sports clubs locally, particularly to do with the management and the running of committees, child protection, sports development planning, equity issues and funding for sport. Increasing the number and quality of volunteers is crucial to the development of the voluntary sector for sport and will be an important area of joint working with the Humber Sports Partnership.

The Extended Schools programme will provide an important role in linking the voluntary and community sector to its work within schools. It will work jointly to begin to identify a range of strategies to help to develop and sustain activities. This will be through local capacity building, training and support, providing guidance on affordable pricing policies and helping to source potential partnership and external funding.

3.4. Professional sport

Scunthorpe United Football Club is the only professional sports club within North Lincolnshire. It’s already involved with the council's Learning and Achievement team, through the highly successful Study United - Playing for Success initiative. The club has shown a strong desire for further involvement in local initiatives around sport, physical activity and health. It has recently completed a feasibility study to assess the potential for a community health and fitness facility at the ground.

This provides an opportunity to develop new facilities and programmes, using the magnet of the club to reach the local community and particular ‘hard to reach’ groups and young people.

3.5 Facilities for sport and active recreation

Developing a ‘modern leisure service’ is a council priority. Significant work has been done to audit the current provision and to recommend options for future development. This includes the ongoing delivery of services where the council is best placed to do so and the development of an enabling role to encourage new providers. The council has also finalised plans for the development of a ‘sports academy’ located at Brumby Hall to replace Scunthorpe Leisure Centre and Riddings Pool. The ageing Baysgarth Leisure Centre is also being replaced. The new facility there will include a community pool, fitness suite and studio.

The Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) was revised in 2004. It assessed the quality of current provision and set out detailed recommendations on how to improve this. The results showed the overall quality of pitches in North Lincolnshire is reasonable. There is an over supply of adult provision and an under supply of mini soccer pitches which is a common problem for many councils. It will be addressed by changing adult pitches to junior pitches in certain locations. The main issue is the problem of quality support accommodation. There are good examples of projects developed with the local community to secure investment such as at Crowle. Partnership working will continue to be a key theme given the mixed economy of provision across the council, schools, town and parish councils and the Humber Playing Fields Association. It is essential that the themes developed in this strategy complement and help deliver the priorities of the PPS to ensure that facilities are sustained and improved.

3.6 Building schools for the future and extended schools

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a once in a generation chance to invest in secondary schools. The Government is making £80m available to rebuild or modernise seven schools in Scunthorpe.

North Lincolnshire Council's consultation has found the need for improved sport and physical activity facilities at a number of the schools. A key issue is the extent that BSF can integrate across local strategic priorities such as ‘more rewarding leisure’ and ‘healthier lifestyles’. Existing good practice from other BSF projects suggests that there is an opportunity to develop and operate facilities within the Extended Schools concept. This will allow schools to develop links to their local community to develop family learning opportunities linked to sport and active recreation. There is a huge range of opportunities available. These include: physical activity sessions at breakfast and after school clubs; summer schools; gifted and talented sports provision; dads and lads family learning sessions; and growing clubs for both young people and their families. These could be exciting opportunities to develop a new model of provision to address the needs of local communities in North Lincolnshire.

3.7 Healthy schools programme

North Lincolnshire was one of the first areas in the country to get every school involved in the Healthy Schools Programme. A Healthy School looks beyond the curriculum at all aspects of life within the school and its relationship with the community. The programme is based on a model of health which considers the interaction of physical, mental, social and environmental aspects and recognises that investment in health helps the process of raising attainment.

The programme promotes health by providing accessible and relevant information and equipping pupils with the relevant skills and attitudes to make healthy choices.

Physical activity is a key theme within the programme. It focuses on increasing activity levels outside of PE, particularly for non-participants. It develops links to local initiatives and networks for sport and physical activity. It also develops the skills of the school workforce to help promote physical activity. This is a key area for work which will support this strategy in relation to increasing physical activity levels in children and young people.

North Lincolnshire Healthy Schools Achievements – physical activity theme

St Hugh's Secondary School has designed and purchased a climbing wall. This can be used by all members of the local community, including adults and young people with a disability. The wall can be tilted at different angles to provide a suitable challenge for all including wheelchair users.

Wootton St Andrews Primary School year 6 pupils have developed a skipping club and devised skill levels based on skipping techniques and a reward programme. They have involved children of all ages and lunchtime supervisors and have made a video of the skills programme to share with others.

After training sessions in school, fourteen staff at Althorpe and Keadby Primary School took part in the Race for Life. Staff are now taking part in a regular programme of competitive activities with pupils including netball and rounders.

3.8 Children's centres

The development of Children's Centres provides significant opportunities to increase physical activity levels in children. Plans include the provision of 11 multi-agency centres in the North Lincolnshire area in Plan 1. The centres will be local ‘one stop shops’ for children and families' services and promote and advise health, well-being and life improvement issues. Children's Centres are similar to Sure Start local programmes, but they differ in that Children's Centres must provide full day care integrated with early education, in addition to child and family health services, family support and outreach to parents, a base for childminder networks and links with Jobcentre Plus and Children's Information Services.

Physicality and movement will be a key feature of their work and will focus on supporting parents and practitioners to initiate, support and encourage opportunities for children to be active and to learn through being active.

3.9 Play Alert – North Lincolnshire's play strategy

This play strategy shows the importance of play for children's emotional, physical and mental development. It also highlights the contribution of play to community cohesion, regeneration and community safety. The strategy also notes that play is not consistently referred to in other local strategies. The links between the strategy for sport, active recreation and physical activity are particularly important, especially where this strategy refers to children, young people and their parents, carers and families.

3.10 Cycling and walking for leisure and travel

The local infrastructure and network for cycling and walking have an important role to play in promoting increased physical activity through cycling and walking for leisure and travel.

North Lincolnshire’s Local Transport Plan (2006) proposes to:

• Develop the scope for cycling to be used for travel purposes and leisure cycling.
• Encourage increased use of Public Rights of Ways by continuing to develop the use of the rights of way network as a recreational resource.
• Through the Scunthorpe Urban Renaissance project, provide a coherent cycle network in Scunthorpe and Bottesford by filling in the gaps between cycle routes and providing links to the key employment, shopping, education and hospital locations. This includes plans for Central Park and the proposed Sports Academy.
• Increase demand for active transport in North Lincolnshire.

3.11 The North Lincolnshire planning and development frameworks

The urban renaissance for Scunthorpe ‘Strategic Development Framework’ makes proposals which have strong connections to sport, physical activity and active recreation. It recognises the potential for active design:

New urban heart This will create a park for the renaissance of Scunthorpe. The park will be an icon of national quality and be a focal point for recreation, sport and leisure.

New century garden town The New Century Garden Town Transformational

Strategy proposes a Green Structure comprising of:

• New Central Park
• Neighbourhood parks – quality local open space for informal, spontaneous activity
• Green links – well planned paths and cycle routes which include a joined up cycle and footpath network linking Scunthorpe to nearby villages for leisure cycling and walking and active transport.

Lincolnshire lakes

This involves the creation of a new sustainable waterside setting and neighbourhood for Scunthorpe providing, among other things, new sport and active recreation opportunities. This is an ambitious scheme which should be seen as a 'slowburn' project not a sprint. It’s therefore beyond the timescale for the sport and active recreation strategy.

 

3.12 The commercial sector

There has not been the level of development in the commercial sector that has been enjoyed by the larger urban areas. The large health and fitness chains have not opened outlets in the area due to the population density and demographic profile not providing the market potential needed. Health and fitness provision is therefore largely council run with a small number of independent operators and facilities at the Forest Pines Hotel and Golf complex to the west of Scunthorpe. Similarly there has been no development of commercial five-a-side football. The lack of a mixed economy therefore creates greater pressure on the council to ensure quality core provision.