Stage 1:

Drawing up a Project Plan & Statement of Public Participation

• Recognition of the needs and contribution of sport and recreation within the process of preparing RSS in each region.
• The identification of key information sources and strategic sporting issues for the region.
• Consideration of sport and recreation issues in sub-regional working groups.
• Alignment of the RSS with the Regional Plan for Sport, and the targets for increasing participation in particular.
• Identification of key partner organisations.
• Establishment of baseline and evaluation criteria to be used in the sustainability appraisal.

Stage 2:

Development of strategic options and policies (including the sustainability appraisal)

• Identification of existing sport and active recreation facilities and strategic areas of open space of regional or sub regional importance which should be protected.
• Identification of opportunities for enhancing the quality or capacity of existing sport and active recreation facilities or areas of strategic open space which are of regional or sub regional importance.
• Identification of areas where new sport and active recreation facilities and areas of strategic open space are likely to be required.
• Identification of opportunities where new or enhanced sport and active recreation provision could contribute to wider regional and sub regional objectives, such as for the promotion of sustainable communities.
• Consider sport and active recreation participation rates and the implications for regional or sub regional needs assessments.
• Needs and opportunities identified on the Key Diagram, where appropriate.
• Sport and recreation considered in the sustainability appraisal process.

Stage 3:

Publication of the Draft RSS

• Use of the checklist to appraise the content of the draft RSS.
• Identify opportunities for improving the clarity of the spatial implications in subsequent reviews of the Regional Plans for Sport.

Stage 4:

Testing and the Examination in Public

• Consider the role of Sport England regional planning officers in supporting the testing/EiP process.

Stage 5:

The Panel Report

• Review the Panel Report and reflect upon the role of sport and recreation in the RSS

Stages 6 & 7:

Publication of Proposed Changes and Issue of RSS

• Review proposed changes to the RSS and consider the need to make further responses to the Secretary of State.

Additional stage:

Monitoring and review

• Review and, if appropriate, provide material for the annual monitoring report.
• Identify opportunities for linking the targets and monitoring of the RSS and Regional Plans for Sport outcomes.