Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy which sought approval to the adoption of the Coventry Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy (ISFS), a copy of which was appended to the report. The report indicated that the ISFS serves as a technical document which follows a national framework and guides the future development of the city's indoor sports and aquatic facilities provision. Last produced in 2014, this Strategy is recommended for regular reviews and gauges the city's indoor sports facility demands. The ISFS has been developed with specialist sports consultants after extensive research and consultation with relevant local, regional and national stakeholders and aims to address the current and future needs of indoor sports and aquatics facilities across Coventry.

The report also indicated that the ISFS provides a comprehensive assessment of the current level of indoor sports facilities available and the future supply and demand needs for facility provision linked to key housing growth sites listed in the Council’s Local Plan. It delivers a clear evidence base and recommendations to inform future development and/or consolidation of facilities, partnership development opportunities and funding applications.

The ISFS enables the Council to appropriately utilise Section 106 funding for new and existing projects while ensuring that any related development undergoes financial evaluation to maximise cost-effectiveness and minimise risks to the loss of indoor sporting or physical activity provision

The associated Action Plan provides a clear indication on priorities and focus areas for the city. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed to assess the impact of the new ISFS on stakeholders, protected groups and service users. Based on the EIA, a positive impact has been identified for one or more groups.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)  Approves the adoption of the Coventry Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy (ISFS) attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

2)  Delegates authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health,  Sport and Wellbeing, to take all necessary, incidental or ancillary actions deemed appropriate to proceed with the implementation of the Action Plan provided by the Coventry Indoor Sports Facilities Strategy (ISFS).