Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director of Public Health.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Public Health which provided an update on the Physical Activity Strategy for Dorset.

The Board received a short presentation from the Chief Executive, Active Dorset, on the Physical Activity Strategy which had been prioritised by both the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's Health and Wellbeing Boards. 

During the pandemic a 7% drop in physical activity levels across the nation had been experienced.  Of most concern was the fact that children and young people's activity levels had dropped significantly with some children not doing any activity at all and some schools not providing physical education or after school activities. Since lockdown was eased 60% of people returned to their traditional activities but 40% had not returned due to concerns about their safety.  This had impacted on the delivery and financial position of the sector.

The Physical Activity Strategy would be developed in line with the emerging national strategy under five areas - foundations for an active society, connecting physical activity and sport to health, active environments, leading a movement for movement and building back better.  Within each of the five areas there would be a focus on inequalities and ensuring physical activity in all policies.

It was hoped that the Strategy would be launched in Spring 2021 and a timeline of activities was set out in the report.  Board members were asked to keep physical activity to the fore, include it in any policies, and promote activity whenever and wherever possible.

With regard to the impact of lockdown on Dorset pools and gyms, it was confirmed that some private gyms and one private school which served a community in North Dorset had closed.  However, the situation had been masked by the Furlough Scheme. 

It was noted that Dorset Council's leisure centres had closed during the first lockdown and were now closed again, and this had affected participation rates.  Although some within the sector were eligible for grants, some were less fortunate, so the Council was helping these to access available funding.  It was difficult to predict how the sector would recover and how long it would take to get back to 100% participation.  The situation was being monitored.

The loss of facilities provided by schools for their communities or for after school clubs was highlighted.  It was explained that since March there had been limited access to school facilities and even when schools returned their after-school clubs remained closed. 

Some Board members reported that their children continued to take part in physical activity throughout lockdown, so it seemed that activity levels varied across schools.  They asked why if some schools could do this, why not all.  The Corporate Director for Education and Learning added that the perception was that the school system had closed when this was not true.  Although there were no inter-school competitions currently children continued to do after school activities and headteachers were working to enable children to play together and provide space for exercise.  The Corporate Director asked to see any relevant data from Active Dorset. 

The Chairman asked officers within the Children's and Place Directorates to enable schools to provide physical activity and keep parks, local facilities within villages, towns and hamlets and play areas open.  She also suggested that communications needed to convey the message that Dorset was not shut. 

The Chairman thanked the Chief Executive for his presentation and asked him to contact the Board if he needed any further support.

Decisions

1.   That the delays to this strategy development arising from the coronavirus pandemic be noted.

2.   That the proposed approach to developing the physical activity strategy as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

3.   That Active Dorset provide relevant data for the Corporate Director for Education and Learning as set out above.