Sport England

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Planning for sport in the SW

Active People Survey and Market Segmentation
Sport England South West region is conducting a short survey to find out how their partners have used the Active People Survey and market segmentation research. The feedback obtained will help us to evaluate how well Sport England’s research has enabled our partners to work more effectively. Please take the time to give us your thoughts before 30 April 2008. Please click to complete the survey which should take no more than 5 minutes. Thank you

At the national level, Sport England is one of the principal advisers on matters relating to sport. In the region we work closely with local planning authorities and other regional agencies on issues relating to the planning of new sports facilities, the protection of existing facilities, access to natural resources for sport and recreation, and ensuring that adequate provision for sport is made as part of new (housing) development. Please see the links below to find out more about Sport England's planning role.

Building Schools for the Future PE & Sport Briefing

The National Obesity Observatory for England

Sport Market Forecasts 2008-12

Developing a satisfaction measure

Taking Part Survey Year 3

Sports Facts and Comparative Profiles

The National Obesity Observatory for England

May 08 Active People Results

Mapping the Landscape

Evaluating Impact - Evidence of What Works

Market Segmentation

Active People Survey 2

Social Trends 38

A Passion for Excellence

CPA Scores 2007

Taking Part Survey

Building Schools for the Future

Facilities in the Countryside

Public Service Agreements and National Indicators

Interim CPA Scores for SW for 2007

New website for SW planners

Rural communities' sports facilities research

Planning contributions research

Planning obligations kitbag

Involving Sport England in your planning process

Activity by design

Culture and the regional spatial strategy

‘Towards A Level Playing Field’ in the South West

Building Schools for the Future PE & Sport Briefing
Sixty delegates from the south west attended Sport England’s BSF event at Plymouth Pavilions on 14 October 2008. The aim of the event was to give an up to date picture of where PE and Sport (curriculum and wider community) is within the BSF programme. BSF is likely to impact the South West region very shortly as local authorities have been asked to submit expressions of interest to join the programme. Follow the links to download informative and thought provoking presentations where available given by Mark Perkins (Partnerships for Schools), James Coulton (Plymouth City Council), Dave Stubley (Rugby Football Union), Annetta Minard (Oakmead Technology College, Bournemouth), Steve Kibble (Devon County Council), Bob Sharples (Sport England), Colleen Bevan (Bristol City Council) and Paul Walker (Penryn Community College). Find out more about BSF.

The National Obesity Observatory for England
This has been established to provide a single point of contact for information and statistics related to obesity, overweight, underweight and their determinants. The website is currently under construction but professionals can still access a wide range of downloadable obesity related publications such as the Foresight report ‘Forecasting obesity to 2010’ and ‘Obesity among children under 11’. There are also links to other useful websites and Public Health Observatories across Britain. Visit www.noo.org.uk

Sport Market Forecasts 2008-2012
The research was carried out by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University has now been published. This report, a joint publication between Sport England and SIRC, outlines forecasts for the period 2008-2012. For example, over the years 2008-2012, the sport market is forecast to increase in real terms by 18%, reaching £27 billion in value. To order a copy of the publication contact SIRC.

Developing a satisfaction measure for the quality of the sporting experience
The Sport England Research Team, in consultation with National Governing Bodies of Sport, is developing a survey tool which will measure participants satisfaction with the quality of the sporting experience. This is one of the key themes of Sport England's recently published strategy for 2008-2011. The strategy commits Sport England to deliver on a series of demanding targets, one of which is a measurable increase in people's satisfaction with their experience of sport. The scope and associated methodology of the survey is currently being designed, and it is envisaged it will track satisfaction at varying levels of engagement in each sport - among 'informal' participants, affiliated club members, and the talent pool. The survey will be an online panel of participants and will be conducted annually, with the baseline collected by April 2009. Different 'domains' or areas of satisfaction will be measured, to include: value for money, performance, social / belonging, facilities and playing environment, logistics / organisation, diversion / release, exertion & fitness, officiating and coaching.

Taking Part Survey Year 3
On 26 June 2008, DCMS published the latest PSA progress report with data from Year 3 of the Taking Part Survey . The survey is now in its third year and this progress report references data from the first six months of Year 3, (July to December 2007). The statistics update those previously released on 13 December 2007. The final PSA report will be published in December 2008. View progress report .

Sport Packs and Comparative Profiles
Sport England has published detailed information packs on 41 sports, which bring together data from the Active People Survey, the Taking Part Survey, and Sport England's market segmentation. Each pack includes information on the following: participation rates in each sport across key demographic groups, participation by region, the profile of sports participants, the segments most likely to participate in the sport, young people's participation (11-15 year olds), seasonal variation in participation, drop off in participation by age, latent demand, growth by sport, and participation in organised sport. Click to view sport packs. The packs have been prepared primarily to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport in the development of their 2009-2013 plans but provide a detailed overview of sports facts relevant to all in the sports sector. Sport England has also provided comparator profiles of sports participation (where possible - for some sports, there is insufficient sample), which bring together all of the data in the packs. This enables comparisons to be made across different sports. Information can be used to provide a rationale for focusing on particular areas and for developing and agreeing interventions in partnership with Sport England to support key Strategic Outcomes - Grow and Sustain.

The National Obesity Observatory for England
This has been established to provide a single point of contact for information and statistics related to obesity, overweight, underweight and their determinants. The website is currently under construction but professionals can still access a wide range of downloadable obesity related publications such as the Foresight report ‘Forecasting obesity to 2010’ and ‘Obesity among children under 11’. There are also links to other useful websites and Public Health Observatories across Britain. Visit www.noo.org.uk

May 08 Active People Results
Latest research from Sport England’s Active People Survey* shows that 62,000 more adults in the South West regularly take part in sport and active recreation – an increase of 1.5% when comparing to the same 6 month period of Active People 1 (mid October 2005 – mid April 2006) to the same period in Active People Survey 2 (mid October 2007 – mid April 2008). Sport England’s Active People Survey 2 indicates the South West is currently the most active region in the country, with the number of adults participating in at least three 30-minute sessions of moderate activity a week increasing by 1.5% percent , from 20.6% to 22.1% , when compared to the same period in Survey 1.(see notes in download). Interestingly, most of the growth came from women’s participation which increased over the six month period by 38,000 (1.8%percent) and lower socio-economic groups increased by 1.7% percent (from 16.6% to 18.3%). Download press release.

Mapping the Landscape - Sport Market Forecasts 2008-2012
As part of the 'Collaborating centre for sport and the economy' between Sport England and the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC), the latest edition of 'Sport Market Forecasts' will soon be published. This publication, a joint publication between Sport England and SIRC, outlines forecasts for the period 2008-2012. Key highlights are as follows:

Over the years 2008-2012, the sport market will increase in real terms by 18%, reaching £27 billion in value;
In 2007, the sport market increased by 3.1% in real terms reaching £21.1 billion in value;
The sport clothing and footwear market remains the most dynamic market, expected to grow by 34% in real terms in the years 2008-2012.

For more information, contact SIRC or research@sportengland.org

Evaluating Impact - evidence of 'what works'
Everyday Swim is a national project piloting innovative approaches to get more people swimming and to find out 'what works' in getting more people into our pools. Everyday Swim is led by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and has investment of £3 Million from Sport England and over £1 Million from local partners. It is made up of eight local projects which form a national network and each project has a different focus. Read the April 2008 Everyday Swim newsletter.

Sport England market segmentation
Providers of sports facilities are working with Sport England and Experian Business Strategies to use market segmentation to gain a better understanding of their current membership profile. Clients have had each individual member on their customer database linked to a sporting segment. By exploring their current customer segment profile, sports providers can develop centre programmes which better meet the needs of existing customers. It also provides an analysis of the type of segments that centres are currently attracting and those that it is not attracting from the local community. This information can then be used to develop targeted marketing plans and attract new customers.

To undertake a customer profiling exercise, all you need is a database with full name and postcode address. Experian are then able to append a sporting segment at a very reasonable cost. To find out which customers you are currently attracting, and what you can do more to get new ones, contact Laura Clayton, Research Manager, laura.clayton@sportengland.org.

Active People Survey 2
Active People Survey 2 commenced in mid October 2007 and the second quarter of interviewing has been completed. Headline quarter-on-quarter results have recently been published. Comparing results from the first quarter of Active People Survey 1 (fieldwork period mid Oct 2005-mid Jan 2006) to the first quarter of Active People Survey 2 (fieldwork period mid Oct 2007-mid Jan 2008) shows that participation (3x30) amongst adults (age 16 and over) has increased from 19.0% to 19.7%. This is the equivalent of 359,000 additional adult participants. Click for more information on the quarterly results.

Social Trends 38
Established reference source, Social Trends draws together social and economic data from a wide range of government departments and other organisations. It paints a broad picture of UK society today, and how it has been changing. The Apr 08 release features information on sport particpation from the Active People Survey and volunteering. Link to full report and data.

A passion for excellence: an improvement strategy for culture and sport
Published by LGA and produced jointly with DCMS and other partners, this strategy is about supporting local government as “leaders of place”, working with their local partners to deliver better outcomes, improve the quality of life locally and improve the delivery of cultural and sport services to local people. The strategy sets a framework for improvement in the culture and sport sector and includes the mechanisms and tools to support self-improvement. It also clarifies the respective roles and responsibilities in delivering the strategy of all the major stakeholders in the culture and sport sector, in line with the National Performance Framework and the National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy. Download document.

CPA Scores 2007
Improvements in the quality of local sports facilities and playing pitches have risen in a number of local councils since December 2006. The Audit Commission reported in Feb 08 that 28 out of 153* councils received a four star rating (the highest rating) for culture, which includes sport. There are now 25 per cent more sports facilities with official marks of quality assurance. Furthermore, the number of people in England living within easy reach of a range of quality facilities* has increased by 3.6million from last year.

Overall, the 2007 Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) results indicate that the majority of councils are delivering a high level of service to local people, with four out of five offering a three or four star standard. For your local council score visit the Audit Commission website.

www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/stcc/stccscores.asp

* Includes upper tier councils only such as County Councils, Metropolitans, Boroughs and Unitary Councils. It does not include District Councils.
* % of the population that are within 20 minutes travel time (urban - walking; rural - driving) of a range of 3 different sports facility types, at least one of which has achieved a quality mark

Taking Part Survey
DCMS has released the results from the year two Taking Part Survey which shows the levels of participation in cultural and sporting activities. DCMS's and Sport England's performance, along with all the other cultural agencies, is gauged against this survey i.e. the Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets. Read progress report.

Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest strategic capital investment programme for schools in over 50 years and the most ambitious scheme of its kind in the world. It will see every single state secondary school in England rebuilt or renewed over the next 15 – 20 years, creating schools truly fit for the 21st century. View factsheets, guidance notes and more from the left menu link .

Facilities in the Countryside

The latest Sport England planning bulletin 19 - Facilites in the Countryside - brings together a number of recent developments in planning for sport and recreation in the countryside and focuses on the provision of facilities in countryside areas. In particular, it looks at the Environment Agency’s strategy for water-related sport and recreation (2006-2011) and Natural England’s research papers on outdoor recreation which guides the development of their Outdoor Recreation Strategy.

At a more local level, good work is being done across the Region by local planning authorities as they prepare development plan and supplementary planning documents as part of their Local Development Frameworks (LDFs). An example of an emerging LDF document from Bedford, the Countryside publication and other planning bulletins can be downloaded from this link

Public Service Agreements and National Indicators
Every government department has to produce a Public Service Agreement (PSA) detailing the Department’s aims and objectives for the forthcoming three years. The agreement also describes how targets will be achieved and how performance against these targets will be measured. The Government announced the new PSA’s and single set of National Indicators in October 2007.

Download a useful guide which outlines where Sport can have a potential impact and link into these National measures. Sport is directly mentioned in PSA 21, 22 and also mentioned in PSA 12. PSA 14, 18, 23 Sport could have delivery opportunities.

The National Indicator set will be used to help determine LAA priorities.

Interim CPA Scores for SW for 2007
Download Interim Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) scores for local authorities in the South West for 2007. The main driver of this indicator is the number and location of facilities that have achieved one of the Quality Assurance standards (QASs).

Download current list of sites known to have achieved one of the QASs.

This information has been circulated to local authorities for them to check as it could significantly affect their final CPA score. The scores do not include 2007 Green Flag Awarded sites (which contain grass pitches). Sport England will update the list when these are released by the Civic Trust.

We are aware that some LA's have already programmed in further assessments for this summer. Where we know of these, we've added them onto the QAS list (coded as 'anticipated' in column G), but as they have not yet passed they have not been included within the Interim scores. As we get confirmation that they have passed, they will be added to the QAS list and included in the final run of the indicator.

Any council wanting to update the QAS list should send details to cpa@sportengland.org. The deadline for this is 28 September 2007. If you have not already so, as appropriate, please consider undertaking one of the quality assurance schemes. For further information, contact:

Jim Barrett
Improvement Manager - Sport England South West
Ashlands House, Crewkerne, Somerset. TA18 7LQ
T 0207 273 1855 M 07810 180561
Jim.barrett@sportengland.org

'Towards a level playing field' in the South West
Building on the success of Sport England South West’s work on planning obligations and the strategic planning of sport in the region, in May the SW planning team held two very successful playing pitch methodology workshops (‘Towards A Level Playing Field) in Devon and Somerset and a further workshop for Dorset in October. If you wish to download any presentations, just click on the highlighted name.

Mixed audiences of parks officers, leisure officers, planners and sports development officers attended the workshops. Presentations by Graham Jones (Leisure and the Environment) and Jacky Bennett (BELAP) gave delegates a quick background to the revised playing pitch methodology. Phil Chichester of Bristol City Council gave a presentation on the work that Bristol have carried out including the use of GIS and keeping the data live. The delegates then had some hands on training of the ‘E Toolkit’.

At the Devon workshop, Keith Kent (Head Groundsman at Twickenham) gave a presentation on pitch quality and how to manage pitch stock. This lead to some interesting debate as the issue of pitch quality is seen as much of an issue as pitch quantity. The feedback on the workshops has been very positive and constructive:

“Interaction with sport/leisure officers and groundsman enabled the issues to be considered from different perspectives.” N Devon

“Good venue, good buffet and a good program for the mixed audience. Personally I feel it is important all parties involved in provision should work as a team but that rarely happens!” Exeter

“I did enjoy the event. The GIS was of particular interest to me.” Torbay

“Yes - very enjoyable. Most useful part was appreciating issues about demand and supply for playing pitches and how that affects management.” Plymouth

“Yes, I really enjoyed the event, and thought that the presentations were excellent. The best bit for me was the workshops with the spreadsheets showing how to measure quality of pitches. I am sure that this work will underpin and be used to strengthen our LDF policies.” Salisbury

“As someone who is carrying out the audit of provision for PPG17 I found the PPM useful as a tool from which to adopt some techniques for wider open spaces measurements.” Christchurch

“The range of speakers was good and it broke the day up having several people doing sessions throughout the day.” W Dorset

“The most useful thing I took away related to the usefulness of playing pitch methodology as mechanism in development control for assessing the current and future effects of playing pitch loss.” Bournemouth

Culture and the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West
In October 2004, Culture South West and partners commissioned Professor Martin Elson (Oxford Brookes University) to stimulate debate about the development of the region's cultural infrastructure. The report Culture and the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West is available as a download from the Culture South West website.

Research into rural community sports facilities
As part of our work to develop a new regional plan for sport in the South West, Sport England has commissioned a research project to establish, primarily, some baseline information on the current level of provision of multi-use games areas (MUGAs) in rural areas across the region.

The aim of the research was to establish the number, size and quality of MUGAs in all settlements of between 1,000 and 5,000 population in the South West region and for those settlements, which lack such provision, whether alternative indoor space is available for sports use. Click here to download the report.

Planning obligations research
Research recently undertaken by Oxford Brookes University for Sport England South West shows that there is significant potential for securing an increased level of investment in community sports facilities as part of new housing development over the next few years.

The report, The Potential of Planning Obligations for Sport and Recreation in the South West, shows that about 126,000 new houses are yet to be granted planning permission in the period 2004-2011 (an average of about 18,000 new houses per year over the next seven years). The research also identifies some 43 sites in the region where 500 or more houses are proposed to be built, but which have yet to be given planning approval.

Only nine of the region’s 45 district and unitary authorities have introduced developer contributions policies for sport and recreation to date, and only four of these cover all forms of open space and both indoor and outdoor sport and recreation facilities.

If all local authorities in the South West were encouraged to undertake the work needed to justify collecting money this way, and introduced developer contributions policies, then this could potentially generate £26m per year for sport and recreation in the region. Whilst the report recognises that such a figure would be the best case scenario, achieving a year on year increase on the estimated current annual figure of about £3m is a challenge that the regional office will now be actively pursuing

You can download a copy of the report here:
The Potential of Planning Obligations for Sport and Recreation in the South West (PDF 145kb)

Planning Obligations Kitbag
Sport England has recently published a toolkit on planning obligations on our website and you can obtain a copy by clicking here.

The Planning Contributions Kitbag supplements the 2001 Providing for Sport and Recreation through New Housing Development: Good Practice Guide by bringing new tools, techniques, shortcuts and examples to help local authorities get the best deal for sport from new development.

The kitbag contains three sections which include:

Tools to facilitate the assessment of local sport and recreation needs and the level of facility provision, including an innovative sports facility calculator
Comprehensive information on ‘making it happen’ - setting out the policy framework as well as providing templates, model agreements, costings and technical design details
Best practice examples of what can be achieved for sport through the planning system

Please contact Gary Parsons the regional planning manager for more information on 0207273 1861 or gary.parsons@sportengland.org

Sport England consultation arrangements
Do you need early advice on how best to overcome Sport England planning objerctionsand engage with Sport England’s planning advisory service to your benefit. Consultation with Sport England at an early stage in the project planning process ensures that sport and active recreation is included in any development scheme. Without early consultation, unnecessary delays may arise when the application is submitted for consideration. For more information and help with planning, please click here (PDF 287kb)

Activity by design
David Lock Associates have been appointed by Sport England to investigate the contributions that master planning can make towards Sport England’s aims of promoting all forms of sport and physical activity, to improve the Nation’s Health and foster sporting success.

Research by the University of Oxford for Sport England identifies environmental factors as one influence on the levels of participation in sport and activity within the UK across society. The first stage of David Lock Associates work will review current design guidance and practice to find ways that master planning can increase participation in sports, recreation, walking and cycling. This will be followed by a widespread consultation on design guidance to promote best practice later this year.

If you want to find out more about this research, please email Phil Copsey at David Lock Associates.

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