Subsidy per visit Visits per square metre

This indicator is not included in the CPA 2007/8. However, Sport England believe that this indicator is an important measure in assisting local facilities to improve their services for their local communities. For this reason Sport England will continue to promote this Performance Indicator as a very useful local measure that Local Authorities might wish to consider as part of their local basket of indicators in future Local Area Agreements.

Sport contributes to a range of outcomes and priorities shared by local and central government and other public sector agencies. In particular, sport can promote: healthier communities; safer and stronger communities; raising standards; economic vitality; and meet the needs of children and young people.

Sports facilities are an important aspect of local government provision and make a major contribution to these outcomes. A high proportion of local authority leisure department expenditure goes on indoor sports facilities.

It is legitimate to measure both financial and operating efficiency when seeking to ensure public services deliver value for money. The value for money performance indicator (Leisure facilities efficiency) considers both subsidy levels and the scale and nature of usage and non-usage of facilities.

How is this indicator collected?
What are the associated costs?

How is this indicator collected?
Performance information is gathered at a sample of local authority sports facilities. Local authorities are invited to nominate a number of facilities to be assessed on the following basis:

• A minimum of 2 or at least 25% of eligible facilities will be selected.  For example, an authority with three controlled facilities will select two facilities, an authority with 12 controlled facilities will select three facilities. Authorities with only one controlled facility will only nominate one facility
• Wherever possible, the sports facilities nominated for assessment by each authority should include an even balance of sports halls and swimming pools
• Where multiple centres are considered in respect of a local authority an average performance score will be calculated for each indicator

These nomination criteria seek to ensure that a sufficient amount of assessment work is carried out across all authorities and that where a local authority controls a larger number of facilities a representative number are considered. The criteria also seek to ensure there is an appropriate balance across the type of facilities considered.

The sports and leisure facility indicators proposed are all subject to minimum collection standards.  The facilities can be assessed using the following services:

• The National Benchmarking Service
  The National Benchmarking Service has been recognised as an appropriate measurement tool for the equity and value for money indicators. The National Benchmarking Service for Sports Halls and Swimming Pools (NBS) measures the performance of sports facilities, covering the following aspects of service delivery: access; finance; utilisation; and customer satisfaction.
  
  The National Benchmarking Service uses three main sources of information
  - a user survey
  - a financial return
  - catchment area data
  The NBS user survey is designed for self-completion but can easily be adapted for interviewer administration. The survey should be conducted over a period of 9 consecutive days, including 2 weekends, and should aim for a minimum sample size of 350 users. The management return captures details of how the sports hall and/or swimming pool space is utilised and records details about the finances of the sports hall and/or swimming pool being considered.

• APSE Performance Networks
  APSE Performance Networks has been recognised as an appropriate measurement tool for both the equity and value for money indicators.  APSE Performance Networks is a mature benchmarking service for local government. Developed and led by practitioners, the model allows local authorities to set targets for continuous improvement, both over time and in comparison with the achievements of others.  The information gathered underpins the assessment of current performance, within the context of an effective system of Performance Management.
  
  There are 16 service areas covered by the model at present including Sports and Leisure Management, Culture, Leisure and Sport and Parks Services.  Local Authorities can register for a single service or for all 16 services.  
  
  The Sports and Leisure Management model compares like-for-like sports facilities.  The performance indicators cover a range of dimensions including value for money, equity, usage, quality and customer satisfaction.  The model involves the collection of management and accounts data, a user profile and satisfaction survey and catchment data.  The management and accounts data is an annual data collection exercise accompanied by comprehensive guidance notes.  The user profile and satisfaction survey can be conducted via interview or via self-completion.  The survey should be conducted over a period of 9 consecutive days, including 2 weekends, with a sample size of 350 users.
  
  APSE Performance Networks also provides trend analysis; individual performance indicator standing tables; bespoke comparator groups (such as core cities and leisure trust only groups); identifies and promotes best performers; has a new approach to peer support and data validation and has introduced a new awards ceremony at the annual Performance Networks Seminar.

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What are the associated costs?
Local authorities should contact either the National Benchmarking Service or APSE (about data collection for the Equity and Value for money indicators) to find out the cost of these services.

Local authorities will also need to resource the survey work at their centres. Many centres choose to manage the user survey with centre staff, this can be a good way of raising awareness of, and commitment to, performance. Other centres choose instead to engage market research professionals to manage the user survey on their behalf.
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