Our Response – Stoke City Council Budget Consultation

As local champions for access to physical activity, we are deeply concerned about the proposals in the Stoke-on-Trent City Council budget consultation to cut funding from leisure facilities, and the long term negative impact this could have on overall health.

All people have the right to physical education, activity, and sport, as stated in the UNESCO International Charter. Leisure services provided by Stoke-on-Trent City Council should not be a luxury only for the wealthy, but a fundamental right for everyone.

Decline in Community Health

Leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools play a crucial role in promoting physical activity and helping individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle. Without adequate funding and resources, these facilities may become less accessible or close down entirely, reducing opportunities for physical activity and potentially leading to a decline in community health.

These facilities also serve as important social hubs where individuals can connect with others and build relationships and support networks, which can have a positive impact on mental health.

We are particularly concerned about the approach used in the Equality Impact Assessments. Relying solely on current demand as the basis for decision-making ignores the potential impact on underrepresented groups. This highlights the importance of investing in leisure services to make them inclusive and accessible for all, especially for those with protected characteristics. Ignoring this issue will result in lasting harm and exclusion for these communities.

Key Area of Focus

Stoke-on-Trent is a key focus area for our Active Partnership. To support the city’s most vulnerable populations, we have invested in various initiatives, such as rehabilitation for those affected by long COVID, mental health support for young people, and assistance for care leavers facing homelessness.

The hardworking staff across leisure in Stoke have a huge impact on the city’s health and wellness. Staff currently at risk have recently made a significant contribution in securing £560,000 for Stoke as part of the Active Through Football bid.  This funding will support individuals who face the greatest inequalities to lead healthier lives.

Children In Care Impacted

However, a funding reduction now threatens to have a significant impact, especially on children in care – a top priority group for the Stoke Council. Physical activity plays a vital role in child development and wellbeing, providing them with stability, socialization opportunities, skills development, and stress relief. A decrease in access to physical activity may lead to declining physical health, increased stress levels, and behavioural problems for children in care.

The Government’s own Stable Homes, Built on Love: Implementation Strategy and Consultation for Children’s Social Care Reform 2023 highlights cases where access to physical activity has had a demonstrably positive effect on children in care. Opportunities to be physically active is included in the second key outcome of Stoke Council’s ‘Room to Grow’ Children and Young People’s Strategy.

That’s why we’re been working closely with Virtual Schools to enable access to physical activity and improve self-confidence and support networks. But much more collaboration is needed, not less.

Managing Long-Term Health Conditions

Similarly, elderly individuals and people with disabilities may face unique challenges in accessing physical activity, such as limited mobility or financial constraints. We’re concerned that the reduction of access and the potential loss of skilled staff may limit opportunities for those with long-term health conditions or disabilities to manage their health with being active.

Reducing funding from organisations such as ourselves, as well as community facilities, will lead to fewer opportunities, both because of reduced access but also less opportunity for the next generation of coaches and instructors to develop the skills needed to support these groups.

A limited amount of detail has been provided with the consultation which makes it difficult to understand the reasoning behind the decisions, particularly in relation to limiting opening hours and losing staff. When trying to engage underserved communities, access and knowledge are crucial, so this feels counterintuitive without a complete business case to reference.

The lack of clarity around the future development plan for leisure means we’re not able to provide insight and guidance as to the best practice to support the very people Stoke Council are trying to target. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the Council to limit the impact on local communities and support future development within leisure which would not compromise access to these vital facilities.

Physical activity is more than just sport; it is a tool to build strong and resilient communities and an opportunity to deliver true levelling up. Long-term, considered investment in health and wellbeing is what the people of Stoke-on-Trent deserve.