Agenda item

Priscilla Simpson – Sport & Physical Activity Team Manager, Mekaya Gittens – Sports & Physical Activity Officer and Kim Truelove – Senior Officer – Sport & Physical Activity were in attendance to respond to Members’ questions in relation to the Sport and Physical Activity for Young People report.

Members made a proposal following the recent Planning Committee approval of the new Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre (HOAC). It was suggested that consideration be given to introducing a Hillingdon resident discount, potentially targeted at children or residents more broadly, to encourage greater participation in outdoor activities once the Centre became operational. Officers welcomed the suggestion and advised that the site had previously been visited in anticipation of positive developments. It was confirmed that the proposal would be taken away for consideration.

Councillors enquired why physical activity and inactivity rates over recent academic years had not improved and what challenges were being faced. Officers advised that the impact of COVID-19, particularly on young people, had been a significant factor and that the local data broadly reflected regional and national trends. It was explained that disruption during formative years had affected different age groups differently and that a period of catch?up was required. Officers noted positively that girls’ activity levels were closely aligning with London trends. It was stated that schools had been making strong efforts to promote activity through initiatives such as the Daily Mile, enhanced physical education provision, competitive sport, the London Youth Games and events such as the mini?marathon. It was noted that improvements depended on confidence, physical literacy and wider parental engagement, and that provision was being designed to be free, accessible and located within communities.

In response to further questions from the Committee regarding London Youth Games participation, officers confirmed that there had not been a drop in participation, citing attendance figures for trials and training. It was explained that minor reductions were attributable to the inability to enter certain sports, such as sailing, due to external facility issues. Overall, it was reported that participation levels had increased and that efforts were being made to engage young people not already involved in club sport, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, by promoting trials and training as entry points rather than focusing solely on competitive pathways.

Members expressed concern that the report made limited reference to Better and GLL, given the Borough’s significant investment in leisure facilities, including the athletics track and the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre. It was questioned why these assets were not being utilised more fully and whether informal, free initiatives could be introduced to encourage family participation. Officers agreed that this was a timely observation and advised that discussions with GLL were planned to maximise the use of facilities, particularly the new leisure centre. It was explained that existing engagement had focused on pitches and halls, alongside provision for disabled children and young people. Officers acknowledged cost implications and advised that future priorities included co?designing programmes with GLL to strengthen community?based provision and better integration of resources.

Further concerns were raised regarding the availability of GLL community grants and the potential to expand initiatives beyond the Daily Mile, such as a comparable swimming initiative. Officers advised that existing athlete grant schemes were already promoted to clubs and that links had been established between London Youth Games celebrations and GLL’s grant programme. It was stated that national initiatives were promoted where available and that GLL had appointed a new community engagement officer, with whom closer working arrangements were developing.

Councillors asked how Active Lives data was used and how it influenced service and funding decisions. In response, it was explained that participation in the Active Lives survey was voluntary and that it was the only standardised national measure available for children, young people and adults. It was outlined that this Sport England led survey captured self?reported activity, engagement and wellbeing data and produced borough?level headline outputs. Officers advised that the data was used to monitor trends rather than allocate funding directly and that schools retained discretion over how data informed use of Sport Pupil Premium and Healthy Schools London priorities. It was emphasised that the data indicated the need to do more and informed closer working with schools, school games organisers and the leisure operator, while ensuring provision remained local, free and accessible.

Councillors suggested extending promotion of physical activity beyond schools to GP surgeries, through information displays or materials highlighting local opportunities. Officers welcomed the suggestion and advised that an “active practice” model had previously been trialled with some GP practices, dependent on staff engagement and understanding of the role of physical activity in managing long?term conditions. It was confirmed that several GP practices had recently approached the Council, enabling tailored, locality?based information to be developed, and that this approach aligned with integrated neighbourhood working with health partners.

An additional suggestion was made to explore potential funding support through Heathrow Airport Limited’s community funding schemes to address barriers to participation, particularly for children, possibly in partnership with GLL. Officers confirmed that discussions with other partners would be progressed.

Members enquired how far public health had been embedded across all policy areas and what improvements were needed. It was explained that public health was delivered through partnership and co?production across council services and health colleagues, focusing on wider determinants such as housing and education, as well as with Children’s Social Care and Adult Social Care and health. It was stated that prevention and early intervention for long?term conditions remained central, that leadership within public health reinforced this approach, and that further strengthening of cross?council collaboration was under discussion.

The Committee sought further clarification regarding the continued availability of the GP referral scheme. It was confirmed that the scheme remained in place through GLL under their “Healthwise” offer. Officers advised that this was focused on adults and that the criteria could be explored with GLL as part of forthcoming discussions, noting a positive shift within GLL towards community?focused provision.

Concerns were raised about reduced ticket uptake for Fiesta events, with a suggestion that traditional advertising methods were no longer effective for young people. Officers advised that responsibility for this programme sat with Youth Services and undertook to redirect the feedback accordingly.

Members asked whether parents could be encouraged through schools to engage in physical activity with their children. In response, it was advised that initiatives such as the Daily Mile had been used to engage schools, children and parents together through incentive schemes and challenges, which had demonstrated positive impacts on family conversations about health. It was reported that Junior Parkrun and programmes such as Free Parks Tennis had been introduced to provide free, structured community activities encouraging family participation, and that these approaches were intended to be expanded.

Members were informed that the mini?marathon was scheduled to take place on the forthcoming Saturday, with participation from under?12, under?13, under?15 and under?18 age groups. It was highlighted that this would be the first experience of a major event for the under?12 participants, and Members were encouraged to follow the event. It was further reported that Hillingdon had achieved a top?six position nationally, with representation across every school. It was explained that the event comprised an elite?level race followed by participation from schools nationwide, within which Hillingdon had performed particularly strongly.

Members were thanked for their engagement, and officers were commended for their passion and commitment, which was noted as consistently evident during their attendance.

RESOLVED: That the Select Committee:

1. Noted the provision of current delivery within the Council’s Public Health team; and
2. Noted the Public Health review of the sport and physical activity model that uses a whole systems approach to programme delivery.