Councils are responsible for a third of swimming pools, 31 per cent of grass pitches; 13 per cent of sports halls; and almost a fifth of all health and fitness facilities. They spend over £1 billion per year on sport, leisure and green spaces, parks and playgrounds, providing communities with access to vital facilities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
While they were allowed to reopen back in July, we are concerned about the future viability of leisure centres. Many were ineligible for much of the emergency funding due to their charity status but continue to incur costs whilst closed. As a result, our leisure partners report that they do not expect a return to viability for at least 6-12 months, putting many of those working in the sector at risk of redundancy, as well as risking losing our national leisure and sporting infrastructure. We are calling on the Government to introduce £700 million emergency funding to stabilise providers. Losing these services will leave many people and families without access to affordable leisure provision and exercise opportunities. They play an important role in reducing the burden on the NHS, tackling health inequalities and are a key delivery vehicle for the social prescribing agenda.
Parks and green spaces are also a key resource for physical activity and improving mental wellbeing. They are enjoyed by people of all ages across the country, and sit at the heart of local communities. The pandemic has further demonstrated how valuable they are. The money local government has to provide for parks and open spaces is running out fast and uncertainty remains about how councils will pay for services into the next decade and beyond. Coronavirus has further added significant funding pressures. For councils to be able to continue maintaining parks and reopen facilities, such as children’s play areas which will be essential for communities over the coming months, the Government needs to provide councils with long-term, sustainable funding for these services.
Another long-term issue which must be tackled is the country’s ageing sporting infrastructure. Sport England found that 63 per cent of mains sports halls and 60 per cent of swimming pools are past their expected lifespans or overdue refurbishment. Sport England has been providing effective support and investment in infrastructure, but their funds are oversubscribed with 1054 bids submitted to a grant fund that could only make 151 grants. Had Sport England been able to fund those bids, it would have unlocked match funding worth at least £540 million from councils and partners. We are therefore calling for a strategic investment of £500 million for councils to invest in leisure facilities, pitches, and parks to reduce obesity; ensure a healthier, more active nation in the future; reduce our carbon footprint; and prepare our communities for the inspiration provided by the Commonwealth Games.