INVESTMENT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Download the frequently asked questions here

KEY MESSAGES

oThe London Investment Strategy for Community Sport 07-09 launched on 13th June 2007. The strategy guides Sport England Lottery Funded Community Investment in grassroots sports in London over 2 years.

oThe Investment Strategy states Sport England investment is crucial to the region’s goal of increasing participation in sport and active recreation by 1% per year. How and where lottery money is funded is key to achieving 276,000 more adults doing 30 minutes sport or active recreation 3 times a week by 2012.

oThe London Investment Strategy for Community Sport 07-09 identified the Delivery System for Sport as the key mechanism for achieving these participation targets and will help to identify where lottery funding goes.

oThe Investment Strategy Implementation Plan is to commit £12m of the £15.3m CIF funding by March 2008 through three strands of targeted investment. The Plan was approved by London Sports Board on 26 September 2007 and the Board agreed the principle of reallocation of targeted funds within the overall budget.

LONDON PRIORITIES FOR INVESTMENT:

The Investment Strategy introduced the principle of investment through the Delivery System and this targeted investment follows through on that pledge.

Sport England has analysed the Active People data and identified groups with low participation rates across London thus being priorities for investment.  These are Asian and Black, Women and girls ( particularly 16-24), males 35-45, those with disabilities, over 45s, all income groups particularly low income and C2,D,E.

Sport England London Region has further interrogated the Active People data to look at what sports and activities people are taking part in and have identified key sports, activities and environments.  We think prioritising investment in these areas can increase participation in sport within London.  

14 key sports identified are; Swimming, Football, Athletics, Cycling, badminton, Tennis, Squash, Basketball, Hockey, Boxing, Softball, Netball, Golf and Leisure Rugby.

Other activities include Fitness Classes, Movement and Dance, Jogging, Aerobics, Gym/Weights, Yoga/Pilates, Walking, Skate Boarding.

Environments and settings are; Parks/Open Spaces, Housing Estates, Workplace, Community Settings (Halls/Centres), HE/FE Provision, Sports Clubs/Multi Sports Environments, Schools (Community Use) and Leisure Centres.

THREE TARGETED INVESTMENT STRANDS:

Workforce

Includes direct deliverers, workforce infrastructure and skills. Imperative to getting 276,000 people taking part in 3x30 minutes of sport and active recreation by 2012.

This strand is not open for applications. Bids will be solicited through pan London partners.

An Investment of £4,975,000 has been identified.

CSPAN Funding Allocation.

The regional team supports the creation of a targeted budget to support on–the-ground interventions at CSPAN level of the Delivery System. The investment will target local sports initiatives and projects with a minimum funding allocation being made available to all 33 boroughs across the region via their CSPANs.

The region is planning to invest £5,775,000 through this targeted approach across the 33 CSPANs.

Local Area Agreements

The London Investment Strategy highlights LAAs as an investment priority. Using CIF funding will ensure Local Authorities are engaged with Sport England, if they agree to an improvement target and their under-performance is tackled through increased participation.

Specific criteria are used to draw up the list of London Boroughs prioritised by Sport England using Active People data. The top 12 areas for improvement targets are; Newham, Barking & Dagenham, Southwark, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Harrow, Brent, Greenwich, Havering, Sutton, Croydon and Hounslow. Other boroughs can still benefit.

£1,250,000 of targeted investment is ring fenced for projects identified as a priority in LAAs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is this money from a new funding stream?

This is not new money. The £12m is targeted investment from Sport England London Region’s current 2004-09 Community Investment Fund budget. The Community Investment Fund remains open for applications from any eligible organisation throughout this period.

How will the money be distributed?

The Investment Strategy Implementation Plan will be executed using the Community Investment Fund application process. Applications must be made via the Project Portal at www.sportengland.org. All applications will be assessed against the investment principles published in our current Investment Strategy.

Will you invest outside of the stated London priorities?

The London priority groups, sports, activities and environments are priorities for investment. This does not preclude investment in activities not listed. We will consider applications for that do not hit these priorities provided they make a strong case to address a clear identified need, this is our most fundamental investment principle.