Council ‘prioritises physical activity’ with strategy

The cabinet of Newark and Sherwood District Council has approved two major strategies relating to sport, physical activity and recreation.

As well as confirming an updated Sport and Recreation Facilities Strategy, the council has passed plans for a new Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy, which will shape the future of the district’s outdoor pitches.

Both strategies include a commitment to work collaboratively with a range of key partners to maintain current access to facilities in all communities and to update facilities and provide new ones in the future based on evidence of need.

A full review of the current sports facility provision across the district has now been undertaken and is being used to identify those areas of need. The review of outdoor facilities has looked at what is available in the area for football, hockey, tennis, lawn bowls, rugby and cricket.

Councillor Susan Crosby, portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and leisure at the council, said: “We have an on-going commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, part of that is to provide facilities that our residents can use to enjoy an active lifestyle.

“While there is no statutory requirement to deliver these facilities, the benefits to our residents and the local economy make this a priority for the council. We want to increase access to sites that are currently not available to the general public so that provision can be optimised for all groups and communities. This will involve a lot of work for all the interested parties but will put our district in a great position.”