Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“Purpose

 

      The purpose of this report is to: 

 

(i)   Seek Members’ approval of draft terms of reference for a review of the Support for Sport grant scheme, and

 

(ii)  Seek Members’ approval to request quotations for appropriate external assistance to carry out this work.

 

Relevant Background Information

 

      Members will be aware that since 2005 the Director of Parks and Leisure has held delegated authority to approve support for sport hospitality and small development grant awards and that Members may, each year, approve a limited number of large development grant awards.

 

      At the Parks and Leisure Committee meeting on 10 September 2009, Members granted officers authority to undertake a review of the Support for Sport Scheme in line with the Council’s updated corporate thematic objectives.  This seeks to maximise the impact of this funding in delivering the goals of the Belfast Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy and Departmental plan whilst aligning with other funding opportunities.

 

Key Issues

 

      Records would indicate that the Support for Sport scheme has made a valuable contribution to sports development in Belfast.  This is broadly in line with the goals of the Belfast Physical Activity and Sports Development Strategy and the Parks and Leisure Departmental Plan, as well as other Council thematic areas including health and well-being, good relations, community safety and engaging children and young people.

 

      Given the length of time the scheme has been operating and the developments in Departmental and Council strategy which have taken place during this period, it is now timely to undertake a comprehensive review of the Support for Sport scheme.  In particular, there is a need to ensure the scheme’s alignment with the developing strategy for leisure.

 

      It is proposed that a suitably qualified external provider is commissioned to undertake the review, in order to ensure a fully independent perspective can be brought to any recommendations made on changes to the scheme.

 

      To this end, draft terms of reference have been prepared which will form the basis of any request to provide quotations for undertaking the review.  In summary, key elements include the following:

 

      Review aims

 

-     To determine the scheme’s effectiveness as a means of promoting participation in physical activity and providing support to sports clubs and relevant community organisations; and

 

-     to ensure the scheme aligns with current and future Council and Departmental strategies, aims and objectives.

 

      Key activities

 

-     Review of similar funding to establish best practice;

 

-     review of the scheme’s fit with existing strategies and plans;

 

-     assessment of the impact of Support for Sport to date;

 

-     review the distribution of grants awarded;

 

-     assessment of the relevance of the scheme to the needs of clubs;

 

-     review of the current governance and administration of the scheme;

 

-     assessment of the level of complementarity/conflict with other relevant funding streams;

 

-     engagement with user groups, elected representatives and other relevant stakeholders on the review; and

 

-     consideration of the alignment of the scheme with emerging leisure strategy.

 

      Key outcomes

 

-     Recommendations on any necessary changes to Support for Sport taking into account the requirement that grant provision should reflect future leisure strategy objectives.

 

Resource Implications

 

      Financial

 

      It is estimated that there will be a cost to the Department of no more than £30,000 in consultancy fees for carrying out this work, which would be provided from 2010/11 revenue budgets. 

 

      Human Resources

 

      There will be no additional human resources required at this stage.  Direction of any selected provider would be conducted using existing officers’ time.

 

      Asset and Other Implications

 

      Any proposed changes to the existing scheme as a result of the review, and the implications of these, would be subject to Members’ approval.

 

Recommendations

 

      Members are asked to: 

 

(i)   Consider the draft terms of reference for a review of the Support for Sport grant scheme, and to approve these subject to any required amendments, and

 

(ii)  Authorise officers to invite quotations for external assistance to carry out this work.

 

Key to abbreviations

 

      None.”

 

            After discussion, during which several Members expressed the view that there was enough experience and knowledge within the Council by means of Elected Member and officer input to allow the review to be carried out in-house, the Committee approved the draft terms of reference for the review and agreed that it be undertaken by a Working Group of Council officers and one representative from each Party Grouping on the Council, with a view to a revised Support for Sport Scheme being implemented from 1st April, 2011.