The Audit Commission, in association with Sport England has undertaken this study to examine how local authorities in England are managing their approach to providing their public sports and recreation facilities and their attempts to improve access and value for money.
This study has involved:
- a survey of all councils in England to which 95 councils responded
- detailed fieldwork in 30 councils
- interviews and focus groups with consultants, relevant national organisations and government departments
- it has looked at the investment challenges and how councils have decided what the future shape of their sports and recreation facilities should be
The government has set a challenging target to increase participation from current levels by 1 per cent year-on-year for the next 15 years. In parallel, it has ambitious plans for elite performance running up to the London Olympics in 2012 and its legacy. However, the quality and accessibility of public sports and recreation facilities are in danger of failing to support and match these aspirations.
Areas covered in this report are:
- strategic planning
- operational management
- options appraisals
- recommendations for councils, the government and the Audit Commission