Memorandum submitted by the Local Government
Association (LGA)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Local Government Association (LGA)
represents over 400 councils in England and Wales. The LGA exists
to promote better local government. We work with and for our member
authorities to realise a shared vision of local government that
enables local people to shape a distinctive and better future
for their locality and its communities. We aim to put local councils
at the heart of the drive to improve public services and to work
with government to ensure that the policy, legislative and financial
context in which they operate, supports that objective.
1.2 The LGA has consistently argued for
the need to ensure there is a clear national strategy to drive
forward work to ensure a UK-wide legacy from the 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games. Every year local government spends approximately
£2 billion on cultural, sporting, tourism, leisure and recreation
services, and as such will be a vital delivery partner to secure
lasting social and economic benefits from 2012 for the whole of
the UK.
1.3 This submission focuses on two of the
subjects to be covered by the committee, although what we say
also impacts upon the consideration of performance by UK participants.
2. IMPACT OF
THE GAMES
UPON GRASSROOTS
PARTICIPATION IN
SPORT, BOTH
BEFORE AND
AFTER THE
GAMES
2.1 We believe the Games has the potential
to have a hugely positive impact on participation in sport before
and after 2012, and that the early and effective involvement of
local government will be absolutely key to realising that potential.
We favour a broad definition of grassroots sport that includes
walking, cycling and yoga because these are the activities people
are most likely to take part in.
2.2 The Government's commitment to grassroots
sport is enshrined in Sport England's challenging target to get
2 million more people active by 2012, and in the national set
of 198 indicators for local authorities. Although more children
and young people than ever before are participating in physical
activity, the 2005-06 Active People survey revealed that only
21% of the adult population (8.5 million people) take part regularly
in sport and active recreation. 2012 is an opportunity to achieve
a step-change in performance.
2.3 Local government is the biggest public
funder of sport, spending approximately £1 billion each year,
and has historically been a passionate provider and facilitator
of grassroots sport, delivering the Government's (non-statutory)
agenda in partnership with local, regional and national bodies.
As service provider, local government is crucial to the provision
of facilities and activities that make up a ladder of participation
that ranges from the grassroots to the elite. As a convener of
cross-sector and multi-agency partnerships, such as Local Strategic
Partnerships, local government ensures that the participation
agenda is joined-up with the wider benefits of health, community
cohesion, anti-social behaviour, volunteering and a thriving economy.
2.4 The LGA has consistently argued that
Government should remain committed to both elite provision and
mass participation, and that both should be properly funded. James
Purnell recently announced two reviews that will have a fundamental
impact on the role and funding of public bodies responsible for
sport. We welcome the Secretary of State's assertion that "there
isn't a contest here between the elite and the grassroots"
but seek assurance from the Government that it remains committed
to properly funding mass participation in sport, which is likely
to become Sport England's main focus. If, as a result of current
discussions, Sport England's budget to support mass participation
is reduced, we believe this will have a significant impact upon
participation rates up and down the country, and therefore the
legacy we deliver from 2012. This is of particular concern at
a time when local authorities face severe budget pressures. Inevitably
it is non-statutory services, such as leisure and recreation,
which are most vulnerable to a very tough funding settlement.
2.5 Grassroots participation in sport matters
because of the significant outcomes it achieves for individuals
and communities. For the individual, participation in sport contributes
towards better health, mental wellbeing and self-confidence. Those
who participate in sports are more likely to vote, contact a politician,
sign a petition, have higher levels of social trust and life satisfaction.
Membership of a sports club has the same impact on individual
wellbeing as an increase in income of £3,600 per year. Sport
can be a route out of poverty, social exclusion and disaffection,
especially for young people. (Sport and Social Capital in the
United Kingdom: Statistical Evidence from National and International
Survey Data, Delaney and Keaney, 2005).
2.6 For the wider community, high levels
of participation in grassroots sport helps bring people together
from different backgrounds, thereby strengthening community cohesion
and empowering citizens. The Home Office Citizenship Survey showed
that sport and exercise are the factors most likely to encourage
social participation (51%). Activities for teenagers is the local
issue that most people want to see improved (39%, Audit Commission,
CPA—The Harder Test, 2007). 70% of young people believe
that a lack of positive activities provision leads to more youth
crime. (MORI, 2002).
2.7 It is clear that the 2012 Games present
a huge opportunity to inspire even more people to get active and
councils across the UK are already rising to the challenge. For
example, 2012 has inspired Sheffield's programme of mass participation
events "the People's Movement" which aims to inform,
encourage and support people to be more active, including by improving
and increasing activity spaces—from affordable gyms and
pools to refurbished parks and playgrounds. Stevenage Borough
Council's Grants for Talented Young People Scheme is supporting
four young athletes with the potential to compete in the Games.
We must not forget the Paralympic Games. Suffolk County Council
is working with the charity "Optua" to encourage and
support disabled people in Suffolk to try out Paralympic sports
in the run-up to 2012.
2.8 Therefore, we call on the Select Committee
to:
— Recognise that the 2012 Games is
a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire more people to take
part in grassroots sport, and ensure that local government's role
is acknowledged and embedded in Government's legacy plans.
— Recognise that mass participation
in grassroots sport leads to better outcomes for individuals and
communities and should be properly funded alongside elite provision.
3. LEGACY USE
OF VENUES
3.1 We welcome the efforts already underway
to ensure that the 2012 venues are well-used after the Games by
local people of all ages and abilities, particularly the innovative
community engagement programmes in the London host boroughs, and
Sport England's "relocatable venues" scheme.
3.2 Existing sporting facilities are being
enhanced and new ones built throughout the UK, not just London.
We want to avoid the experience of previous global sporting events
where large venues lie unused by local people. Local government
can help prevent this by ensuring that post-2012 legacy plans
reflect the needs and aspirations of local communities. 21,000
councillors elected by local people serve on authorities in England
and Wales. Councils are experienced in engaging local people in
decision making and in control of well developed community consultation
and communication networks that can be used to find out what kind
of legacy local people want for their area.
3.3 Therefore, we call on the Select Committee
to:
— Emphasise the importance of consulting
with local people about their vision for venues post-2012, and
promote the role of councillors in doing this, thereby helping
to ensure that venues are accessible and well-used by local communities
for many years to come.
4. CONCLUSION
4.1 The LGA firmly believes that the 2012
Games is a unique opportunity to increase participation in grassroots
sport amongst people of all ages and abilities across the whole
of the UK. Local government is at the heart of achieving a lasting
legacy and we look forward to continuing to work with DCMS and
others on taking forward this exciting agenda.
4.2 We would welcome the opportunity to
explore further the points we raise with the CMS committee.
November 2007
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