Agenda item

The Committee considered the undernoted report and endorsed the associated appended response to the above-mentioned consultation.

 

“1.0   Relevant Background Information

 

         In November 2012 Sport NI (SNI) commenced a public consultation on its Boxing Investment Programme.  The Boxing Investment Programme is a lottery funded programme supporting the purchase of boxing equipment and upgrading of facilities for boxing clubs in Northern Ireland.

 

         SNI, through the Boxing Investment Programme, will award approximately £3.27 million for the purchase of boxing equipment and a range of building works based on the needs of individual boxing clubs. SNI will seek to allocate funding for equipment in the financial year (2012/13) with funding for building works being made available in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

 

         To augment a survey carried out by the Ulster Provisional Boxing Council as part of the development of their Implementation Plan and to gather intelligence to assist with further programme development, SNI carried out an expression of interest exercise. An expression of interest form was sent to all clubs that had been, or are presently affiliated to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association in the following years:

 

·      2009/10

·      2010/11

·      2011/12

·      2012/13

 

         99 expressions of interest have been received (from across NI) to date with the following summary outcomes:

 

·         All clubs have identified a need for equipment based on a closed list of equipment provided by the IABA.

·         In total 58 clubs have identified a need for a capital project (either repairs or major capital works.

 

         Expressions of interest have identified a clear need for funding equipment and capital works.

 

         The funding will be available in three tranches:

 

Tranche 1 - Boxing Equipment

 

         SNI will make up to £232,000 available for the supply of boxing equipment to individual clubs. The IABA will be asked to submit an application based on the information gathered through the expression of interest exercise. The Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) will assist the IABA and SNI with the procurement of this sporting equipment.

 

Tranche 2 - Minor Repairs

 

         SNI will seek applications from individual clubs to assist with premises repairs to their club facilities. These will include:

 

·         toilets;

·         showers;

·         changing Rooms;

·         roofing;

·         heating systems; and

·         other identified repair works.

 

Tranche 3 – Major Works

 

         SNI will seek applications from individual clubs to assist with major refurbishment projects or new capital build projects.

 

         As Members will be aware the Council recently agreed a Draft Amateur Boxing Strategy for Belfast and we are currently undertaking public consultation on it.  A representative from Sport NI is on the steering group which oversaw the development of this strategy.   

 

2.0     Key Issues

 

         In summary, the consultation asks for responses to six questions:

 

·      Do you agree with the proposal to invest in boxing?

·      Do you agree there should be a focus on deprived communities in terms of boxing investment?

·      Do you agree that the results of the Expression of Interest exercise identify a clear need for funding both equipment and capital works with boxing?

·      Do you agree with SNI’s proposal to fund a range of initiatives as follows: boxing equipment, minor repairs and major works?

·      Do you agree with SNI’s proposal to only support boxing clubs currently affiliated to an AIBA (International Boxing Association) recognised boxing governing body?

·      Do you agree that capital projects should be 100% funded?

 

         With all questions respondents were asked to give alternative proposals if they did not agree. Respondents were also asked to provide any other comments they would like SNI to consider.   

 

         Following consideration by relevant officers across the Council, a response has been completed in draft form for approval by Members.

 

         In summary the draft response welcomes the investment in amateur boxing.  Based on the work officers undertook as part of the development of the Council’s draft Amateur Boxing Strategy for Belfast we agree that there should be a focus on deprived communities in terms of boxing investment.  The baseline assessment also showed that there is a clear need for funding both equipment and capital works within boxing but that there is also a need for resources to be directed to support clubs in improving their governance and management structures and providing further training for coaches and volunteers.

 

         We agree in principle that the allocation of public money for equipment and capital grants should be to clubs that are affiliated to a recognised governing body as this gives assurance that a club is operating to a high standard, has the correct policies and procedures in place and offers progression pathways for its members.  However it is recognised that in some cases it may be possible to support new clubs and established clubs working towards affiliation with ‘in-kind’ funding to allow them to develop.  Within our draft response we ask that SNI consider issues around tenure and that they take cognisance of the draft Amateur Boxing Strategy for Belfast in the delivery of their boxing investment programme.

 

         SNI has also equality screened the Boxing Investment Programme and a copy of this form is attached as appendix 2. SNI have asked for comments on their screening by 19 February 2013. 

 

         SNI has not provided a template for responses so it is proposed that an email outlining the following comments is sent to SNI:

 

·                Belfast City Council (BCC) believes that the Sport NI Equality Screening document adequately picks up the main issue regarding affiliation with the IABA and the impact on this for people from the PUL community regarding their participation in the sport and possible national representation.

 

·                BCC has collated information on the involvement of people from the various Section 75 groups in boxing as part of the baseline assessment undertaken as part of the development of its strategy and it believes that  SNI would find this of use as a data source as a part of its EQIA.

 

·                BCC agrees that the investment in amateur boxing will have a positive impact on the number of females getting involved in the sport.  Women’s boxing is continuing to grow in popularity and its inclusion at the London 2012 Olympics and the success of Irish and British female boxers in winning medals has increased its profile.  The main barrier identified in our baseline assessment to increasing female participation was a lack of suitable facilities and this investment will help to address this issue.

 

·                BCC agrees that the investment in amateur boxing will have a positive impact on the number of people from a minority ethnic background getting involved in the sport. The evidence from the baseline assessment undertaken showed that the majority of clubs in Belfast had members from a range of racial groups including Irish Travellers and Eastern European countries.

 

·                BCC agrees that the investment in amateur boxing will have a positive impact on the number of people with a disability getting involved in the sport. The evidence from the baseline assessment undertaken showed that very few clubs had accessible facilities and this investment will help to address this issue.

 

3.0     Recommendations

 

         Members are asked to:

 

(i)            Note the contents of this report;

 

(ii)          Approve submission of a final consultation response to SNI, subject to any comments or amendment provided, by the deadline of 8 February 2013; and

 

(iii)        Approve the comments relating to the equality screening of the Boxing Investment Programme, subject to any comments or amendment provided, which will be emailed to SNI by the deadline of 19 February 2013.

 

Council Response

 

Do you agree with the proposal to invest in boxing? If you do not agree, do you have any alternative proposals?

 

Answer - Belfast City Council is in agreement with the proposal to invest in boxing.  Belfast has a proud tradition of boxing and our boxing clubs across the city continue to produce talented boxers.  The success of Belfast boxers in winning two bronze medals at London 2012 has further raised the profile of boxing.  Boxing also plays an important role in the life of communities across the city, many of them in socially deprived areas. We have recognised the important role that boxing plays in the life of the city and have with key partners including the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA), the Ulster Boxing Council (UBC), Co Antrim Boxing and Sport NI (SNI) developed a draft 10 year strategy for the development of amateur boxing in Belfast which is currently out for consultation.    

 

Do you agree there should be a focus on deprived communities in terms of boxing investment? If you do not agree, do you have any alternative proposals?

 

Answer – As part of our analysis in the development of the amateur boxing strategy we mapped the location of boxing clubs in Belfast against the 2010 Multiple Deprivation and Health Deprivation Measures.  This work showed that the majority of clubs in Belfast (90%) are ranked within the 20% most deprived in Northern Ireland. Research by the IABA also shows that boxing has a significant reach into disadvantaged areas. Therefore we agree that there should be a focus on deprived communities in terms of boxing investment.  

 

Do you agree that the results of the Expression of Interest exercise identify a clear need for funding both equipment and capital works with boxing? If you do not agree, do you have any alternative proposals?

 

Answer – Sufficient detail is not provided on the findings from the Expression of Interest exercise to allow us to express an opinion on whether the results identify a clear need for funding both equipment and capital works within boxing.  However evidence from elsewhere, including work that was undertaken by the Ulster Boxing Council and the baseline assessment that we undertook as part of the development of a strategy for Belfast, identify a clear need for funding both equipment and capital works within boxing. 

 

Do you agree with SNI’s proposal to fund a range of initiatives as follows: boxing equipment, minor repairs and major works? If you do not agree, do you have any alternative proposals?

 

Answer – We agree with SNI’s proposal to fund a range of initiatives as follows: boxing equipment, minor repairs and major works.  The evidence we gathered from the baseline assessment undertaken as part of the development of a strategy for Belfast showed that clubs in Belfast and on the periphery, have varying requirements for funding.  Some clubs have already sourced funding and occupy buildings that are fit for purpose while others train in buildings that require minor works and some are in a dangerous condition with a lack of basic facilities such as toilets or running water.  The evidence also showed that the majority of clubs do not have buildings with disability access or facilities for females.  In addition to a need for funding for equipment and capital works the Council’s baseline assessment found that there is also a need for resources to be directed to support clubs in improving their governance and management structures and providing further training for coaches and volunteers.  Belfast City Council has committed £200k per annum over the next 3 years to implement its strategy.  This funding would be complementary to the SNI boxing investment programme and would be used to support club development in areas such as coach, volunteer and ring official training and development and club governance and management.  It would also be used to promote boxing across the city, in particular among underrepresented groups such as females.

 

Do you agree with SNI’s proposal to only support boxing clubs currently affiliated to an AIBA recognised boxing governing body? If you do not agree, do you have any alternative proposals?

 

Answer – We agree that the allocation of public money for the development of clubs through grants for equipment and capital works should be to clubs that are affiliated to a recognised governing body.  Affiliation to a recognised governing body gives assurance that a club is operating to a high standard and that they have the correct policies and procedures in place around areas such as:

 

·         Health and safety

·         Child protection

·         Governance and management

·         Coach education and vetting

·         Training and vetting of volunteers

 

This is particularly important in a high impact sport such as boxing to ensure that any risk of injury is mitigated.

 

Affiliation to a recognised governing body is also essential for progression pathways for competitors, coaches and ring side officials.  If a club is not affiliated to a recognised governing body they will not be able to offer their boxers development opportunities and the opportunity to compete at the highest levels such as at European, World, Olympic or Commonwealth level.

 

 

We agree in principle that the allocation of this fund should only go to affiliated clubs, however it is recognised that in some cases it may be possible to support new clubs with ‘in-kind’ funding such as places on training courses or officer time to allow them to put in place policies and procedures to allow them to become constituted and obtain affiliation.  Belfast City Council is currently investigating potential funding to further assist us in carrying out this type of work with clubs and we believe this is complementary to SNI’s boxing investment programme.

 

Do you agree that capital projects should be 100% funded? If you do not agree, do you have any alternative proposals?

 

Answer – While we believe that clubs will welcome 100% funding for capital projects we require further information on what the maximum level of funding will be.  In some cases the overall cost of the capital works required by a club may exceed what is available from this fund and they will be required to source additional funds from elsewhere.  In the current economic climate clubs may have difficulty in sourcing additional funds and at this time Belfast City Council do not have the resources to establish a fund for match funding for capital works in boxing clubs.  However a number of individual capital projects are currently being considered under the Council’s Local Investment Fund.

 

While 100% funding will assist those clubs that receive it, this should be balanced against insuring that a reasonable maximum limit is set to ensure that the greatest number of clubs can benefit from this funding.

 

Are there any other comments you would like SNI to consider?

 

Answer – Belfast City Council welcomes this investment in amateur boxing in Northern Ireland.  As SNI are aware Belfast City Council has worked with them and a number of other partners (IABA, UBC and Co Antrim Boxing) on the development of an amateur boxing strategy for Belfast.  We would ask that SNI take cognisance of this strategy in the delivery of their boxing investment programme to ensure synergy and complementarity and an overall holistic approach to the development of the sport and associated infrastructure.

 

Our research has shown that only a minority of boxing clubs in Belfast own their own premises.  The majority have long term leases on buildings while some rent premises as required or have another type of arrangement. This will raise an issue around security of tenure for some clubs if they wish to apply for funding for capital works and is something that SNI need to consider in the development of its criteria.   We would also ask that SNI consider the appropriateness of investing public money into a building that a club has a short or medium term lease on, to ensure that any improvements made to a building benefit boxing clubs and not landlords. 

 

SNI should also consider that where a physical building is to be upgraded or to be built and then becomes a capital asset for another public body such as the Council then that body is likely to want to deliver it or oversee the delivery of it to ensure that it meets with public procurement rules, is built to their standards and is easy to maintain and operate if required.”