Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet approve Newark & Sherwood’s Sport & Recreation Facilities Strategy 2023-2033, as at Appendix A to the report.

The Business Manager – Regeneration & Housing Strategy presented a report which sought approval for the Sport & Recreation Facilities Strategy for 2023 – 2033. The Strategy outlined how the Council will assess future investment in sport and recreation facilities against a ‘Hierarchy of Provision’ taking into consideration key factors including predicted population growth, impact on demand and current facilities and the aspirations of local sports clubs to develop.

AGREED (unanimously) that the Sport & Recreation Facilities Strategy 2023-2033, as at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Reasons for Decision:

The adoption of this strategy directly supports delivery across a number of community plan objectives, provides an evidence base for planning policy and future funding, and sets out the strategic approach to identify priorities for investment to ensure that sports and recreation facilities provided across the District meet the needs of Newark & Sherwood’s growing population.

Specifically, the adoption of the strategy supports the following community plan objectives:

Objective 1: ‘Improve health and wellbeing’; and

Objective 7: ‘Celebrate and invigorate community spirit, pride of place and a sense of belonging’ and will contribute to Objective 4 ‘Reduce Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour’.

Options Considered:

The alternative option is to not adopt a Sport & Recreation Facilities Strategy.

Neither the strategy itself, nor direct investment in sport and recreation facilities, are a statutory responsibility of the District Council. However, as articulated in section 1.2 of the report and within the strategy itself, the evidence to support the District Council contributing to the delivery of facilities through its role as Local Planning Authority and in its role supporting healthy, active and sustainable communities, is strong.