Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report providing an update on Leicester’s involvement in Sport England’s Place Expansion programme and sets out details of a Full Award bid that has been submitted to Sport England on 27 March 2026.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report providing an update on Leicester’s involvement in Sport England’s Place Expansion programme and set out details of a Full Award bid that had been submitted to Sport England on 27 March 2026.

The Head of Sport Services introduced the item noting that in 2017 Sport England had selected 10 areas across the country for a pilot scheme, looking at how to address physical inactivity. A second phase was introduced in 80 areas, including Leicester.

The Project Manager for Sports and Leisure provided an overview of the report together with a slide presentation attached to the minutes. Key points to note, not included on the slides, were as follows:

• Adequate physical activity required certain social conditions which were not prevalent in Leicester. Political alignment around decisions was vital.
• There was a focus on connecting systems together.
• Sport England were committed to ending the postcode lottery so that the area a person resided in did not dictate their longevity.
• Work was ongoing to expand the evidence base and turn knowledge into action. Relationships were being built with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) to find new ways of working.
• The Moving Conversations report had seen responses from over 700 participants highlighting barriers to activity including; people feeling unsafe when exercising in the community, expenses, quality of the urban environment, the need to improve parks, anti-social behaviour and current health conditions impacting activity.
• The Photo Voice project had seen a positive response with an exhibition delivered.
•  A bid had been submitted to Sport England for £1.8m. This would be for 18 months work with the VCSE partners to recruit Active Neighbourhood Champions, aligned with social prescribing and Health budgets.
• The key was to create equity of access.
• A peer review was likely around the 30^th April.
• This was a long-term strategy with a whole systems approach. Working with senior leaders to help them realise their place in the mission.
• The 2-year plan included the Launch of Community of Change Practitioners which members were welcomed to join. This would launch on the 14^th May.

In response to member questions and discussion, the following was noted:

• The outcome of the £1.8m bid should be known in June. The money would be revenue, and a large amount would go towards the VCSE sectors ways of working. There would also be a budget for community activities.
• Areas were selected based on deprivation data from the 2018 Health and Wellbeing Survey. Members queried whether council funding could be directed to areas not selected. It was explained that a focus on leisure centres and initiatives could reach wider parts of the city. Approximately 70% of the Council’s budget was allocated to statutory services, limiting flexibility. It was noted that the areas not included would be given consideration within future projects.
• Both mental and physical health were incorporated into the project, with work already being delivered through community initiatives such as Jamila’s Legacy.
• Active Together had good links with GPs, there were further opportunities to link in with health partners, a joined-up approach was vital due to the number of initiatives involved.
• Work had been undertaken with community organisations to support outreach.
• The £1.8m would be divided over the 4 quadrants, with 1 Neighbourhood Champion for each of the areas. A range of sports could be incorporated alongside a doorsteps partner for young people.
• Sport England had a separate capital budget connected with the programme, applications had not yet been made as further discussion regarding the application process is required.
• Members requested mapping information on the disadvantaged areas of the city.
• Members queried decision making for other initiative funding such as Pride in Place. It was suggested that a letter be written to the Secretary of State for understanding of funding allocation and to ensure a fair spread across the MSOAs.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.

3)    For information on disadvantaged neighbourhoods to be circulated with officer guidance.

4)    For a letter to be sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding allocation of MSOA funding.