Local democracy

Agenda item

AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF ACTIVE BRADFORD IN 2018

Active Bradford is a partnership of agencies from across the District that are committed to working together to increase the number of people being active and playing sport across the Bradford District. This year the partnership became formalised as a Company Limited by Guarantee of which the Council is a founding member.

 

Last year Active Bradford presented to the scrutiny committee an update on the agreed physical activity strategy framework that it would be using to promote and develop physical activity across the District.

 

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AS”) sets out progress that Active Bradford has made over this year against that framework.

 

Recommended –

 

That the Committee notes the current progress of Active Bradford.

 

(Zuby Hamad – 01274 432671)

 

 

Minutes:

Active Bradford was a partnership of agencies from across the District that were committed to working together to increase the number of people being active and playing sport across the Bradford District. This year the partnership became formalised as a Company Limited by Guarantee of which the Council is a founding member.

 

Last year Active Bradford presented to the scrutiny committee an update on the agreed physical activity strategy framework that it would be using to promote and develop physical activity across the District.

 

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AS”) set out progress that Active Bradford has made over this year against that framework.

 

The Sports and Physical Activities Manager was at the meeting and explained that it had been widely recognised that being inactive was the fourth biggest cause of early mortality in this country. It was estimated that 363 deaths would be preventable each year if everyone in the District were to become active. The health cost of physical inactivity relating to cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease for the Bradford District was estimated to be £9.94m per year. But it is more than that. Along with better physical health, evidence had been pointing to physical activity contributing to an improved sense of well-being leading to better mental health; improvements in attainment in young people; improved sense of self-esteem and confidence; and an improved sense of belonging to the community.

 

She further stated that the most recent Sport England Active Lives research published relating to November 2018 suggested Bradford had lower levels of inactivity (undertaking less than 30 minutes of moderate activity per week) than most other districts across West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and is below the national average. The data showed that Bradford was one of only a handful of local authority areas across the country that had a significant reduction in inactivity levels. This was good news although by exercising some caution in interpreting the specific results due to the sample size. The Council would get a clearer understanding of the pattern of activity over the next few years.

 

A question and answer session ensued:

·         As highlighted in 2.5 of the report, the data was of concerning levels due to the high level of Bradford’s population not meeting activity demands. Were people willing to engage?

o   The Council was working with various voluntary organisations, engaging with schools and reflecting on further learning through past experiences to address present and future concerns;

·         What level of responsibility was the strategy work being applied in communities?

o   •The Council was looking at different streams of work with voluntary organisations in every community and with the resources of 3 Managers to undertake this exact task.

o   ••The scale involved in the region of 27,000 children in the district but it was about commencing work through communities from the very beginning;

·         In addition to many wards, the Tong Ward was a high poverty area and better health of residents should be of a paramount task to focus on. Getting to every child was crucial and this activity could be achieved through engagement, therefore were the Managers engaging with Churches, Mosques/Madrasahs, Community Centres and other establishments? 

o   The Council had worked with “Your Back Yard” (organisation to support people communities by working with local people, businesses, councils and others to identify what is needed in each community, find the money for it, and make it happen) and “Parkrun” (a free weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which took place on a weekly basis in Lister Park. It offered an opportunity for all the local community, male or female, young or old, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the park and get physically active by encouraging people to jog or run together irrespective of their ability). There was also consideration towards increasing the number of Parkruns and Public Health had echoed its support towards more runs;

·         How were non participants being engaged with?

o   Through community readiness works with low level of intensity of activities in order to indirectly entice people towards activities. Activities involving gardening and free play areas;

·         Many people refused to go for walks due to air pollution of high volume of vehicles. Cleaner air was important and it was frustrating to see parents who resided a few streets away yet driving their children to schools on a daily basis. What work was being undertaken to tackle this crisis?

o   The Council was liaising with organisations to address concerns and it was important for messages to be publicised on the impact of air pollution in order to change the attitudes of people’s behaviours during school runs;

·         How was the task of educating children to embrace activities in order to maintain good health?

o   It was about bottom approach hence the engagement with schools; and,

·         Were Parkruns for adults only or all ages?

o   Adults but some junior runs too but Parkrun would be consulted in relation to this factor.

 

At this point, the Chair invited the Director of Parkrun who was at the meeting as a member of the public. He expressed favour into additional Parkruns for the purpose of community involvement with one another for the sake of better health of all involved.

 

During the closing stage of this item, the Committee praised the work that had already been undertaken especially with the engagement of schools. The impact of air pollution had not cemented with the people fully and it was important to send messages to change behaviours of people using their vehicles less and to walk more.


Resolved –

 

The Committee notes the progress of Active Bradford and requests a further report in 12 months, giving details of the work undertaken and outcomes of the Local Delivery Pilot.

 

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

 

 

Supporting documents: