Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

This report provides an update on the key findings identified in the Manchester Indoor and Sport Built Facilities Strategy (2023-2031) and short-term action plan, to be taken forward with partners over the next 18-month period.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) which provided an update on the key findings identified in the Manchester Indoor and Sport Built Facilities Strategy (2023-2031) and short-term action plan, to be taken forward with partners over the next 18-month period.

Key points and themes within the report included:

• Providing an introduction and background to the Strategy;
• Manchester had a strong network of indoor sport and leisure facilities and a sufficient supply to meet demand;
• The governance of the Strategy, including the work of the project steering group;
• Findings of a needs assessment study for sports halls, swimming pools, health and fitness and other facilities; and
• The strategic objectives and action plans developed from analysis and assessments.

Some of the key points and queries that arose from the committee’s discussion included:

• Commending the work of Manchester Active;
• Whether driving distance was an accurate method of measuring accessibility of indoor sports facilities;
• A need to develop sites with strong transport networks;
• Capacity at swimming pools, particularly for children and young people;
• Facilities for disabled service users;
• Noting the point that the majority of Manchester’s population had access to a facility within a ten-minute walk, and querying what this majority was;
• Current and future capacity of sports halls;
• How the need to prioritise demand for swimming facilities in the city centre was balanced with capacity in areas such as central Manchester; and
• Whether section 106 money received through new developments could be used to fund new indoor sports facilities.

The committee were presented with a short video to introduce the item.

In response to members’ queries, the Interim Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Active explained that Sport England recognised a 30-minute drive as the measure of accessibility to leisure facilities and Manchester Active used this measure to ensure that it followed national standards. He stated that Manchester Active focused on local active travel to ensure that each facility could be easily accessed. He highlighted that Manchester had been named the European Capital of Cycling for 2024, which would help to publicise the ability for residents to cycle to sports facilities.

The Facility Strategy and Capital Project Lead, Manchester Active explained that there was a strong network of sports hall facilities in the city and most residents lived within a 10-minute walk of a sports hall and within 20 minutes of active travel to a swimming pool.

The Interim Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Active stated that recently built schools and those that Manchester Active were currently working with had to adhere to Community Use Agreements. He explained that agreements with Academies were not as definitive and that use of these facilities relied on working with the schools, many of which were receptive to the opportunity. The Facility Strategy and Capital Project Lead, Manchester Active explained that a planning condition regarding use of sports facilities was enforced on any new school development and Manchester Active was involved in site management arrangements to ensure that a local sports development plan could be implemented in the construction of a new school. She also stated that funding of over £200k had been allocated by Sport England over two years to 12 primary and secondary schools to widen access to sports provisions.

With regards to disabled-accessible facilities, the committee was informed that Manchester designed and supported facilities for all and he endeavoured to contact the Member following the meeting to discuss and understand his specific experience.

In response to a query regarding swimming capacity, the committee was advised that Manchester led the way in this area, but it was acknowledged that there was always more to be done. The Interim Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Active stated that no other local authority had invested as many resources into new swimming pools as Manchester. He recognised capacity issues in some swimming facilities and explained that work was needed to encourage residents to use swimming facilities in areas of the city where there was greater capacity, such as Manchester Aquatic Centre, to maximise capital investment. The Facility Strategy and Capital Project Lead, Manchester Active commented that a marketing strategy was needed with the leisure operator to encourage usage of under-utilised swimming facilities. The committee was also advised that Manchester had one of the largest swimming education programmes in the country, which taught essential skills and provided children with the confidence to continue to use swimming facilities as they got older.

The Facility Strategy and Capital Project Lead, Manchester Active clarified that references in the report to a “majority of residents” related to more than 75% of the population.

The Interim Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Active advised members that the need for sports hall and swimming pool provisions was currently being met but future need was dependent on population growth. He stated that sports halls were easier to identify and provide than swimming pools as they were cheaper to run, required less land and there were greater opportunities for collaboration with partners.

In response to a query regarding the use of Section 106 money, the Facility Strategy and Capital Project Lead, Manchester Active explained that this was received where a development was brought forward on land designated for leisure use and a mitigation strategy would be devised for the replacement of any leisure provision on the site. She stated that Manchester Active was involved in the Council’s Local Plan Review Steering Group which helped to identify future need for outdoor and indoor sport and informed the prioritisation of future Section 106 money devolved from planned development. 

In summarising, the Chair thanked the Executive Member and officers for their report and acknowledged the funding challenges facing Manchester. She highlighted how Manchester was leading the way with regards to indoor sports provisions and welcomed the year-round swimming offer for children.

Decision:

That the report be noted.