Leisure
Bracknell’s naturally creative approach to bringing people back to the town centre
A gigantic partnership approach to reinvigorating Bracknell town centre linked to the borough’s tree strategy hit the mark this summer, says Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker.
4 wheel drive woman on... tennis
Now Tarquin, I’ve signed you up for tennis on Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – do you think that’s enough? We can pop you into extra classes in the school holidays – they do an intensive camp at the club that should get you on track.
Let’s see some fair play
A new report makes the case for a radical new approach to secure their future of local sports and leisure services, including a call for longer-term investment, say Paul O’Brien, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson and Debbie Kaye.
The time for team spirit is now
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson says there has never been a more important time to work together to protect the future of community-based sport and leisure services.
Leisure and wellbeing services face a serious and immediate threat
The National Leisure Recovery Fund’s distribution of £100m was welcome, but must go further, argues Cllr Dan Humphreys.
Tackling obesity
Robert Sullivan shares his thoughts on how the success of England’s national team can be harnessed by councils to inspire people to play more football and lose weight.
Sevenoaks to halt support for leisure operator
Sevenoaks DC is poised to halt financial support to the operator of its leisure facilities, which are grappling with a seven-figure budget deficit.
Districts need support to keep leisure centres open
If the Government is really serious about health and wellbeing, then district councils must have financial support from central Government to keep their leisure centres open and thriving, argues Paul Shevlin.
Districts in plea for leisure centre funding
A crunch meeting on the future of leisure centres is to take place this week, The MJ understands.
Let’s not lose our leisure centres
The District Councils’ Network has urged the Government to offer a lifeline to leisure centres on the brink of closure due to the pandemic. Trustee of the chancellor’s local leisure trust David Chefneux describes the challenge ahead.
Central Government must ‘sign off a National Leisure Recovery Fund #2’
There appears to be a clear disconnect between central Government’s public commitments to tackling the nation’s health and its approach to public sector leisure provision, says Mark Sesnan.
White van man on... leisure centres
There’s not much point in the health nannies telling us to take more exercise when gyms and leisure centres are slamming their doors in our faces claiming they’re brassic.
More than 100 leisure centres could go bust, DCN warns
More than 100 leisure centres in England could go bust due to the coronavirus crisis, district councils have warned.
Prospect raised of financial support for Glasgow
The Scottish First Minister has raised the possibility of further financial support for Glasgow City Council to reopen leisure and cultural facilities.
Tackling COVID’s hit on leisure
Léonie Cowen takes a look at the commercial and legal issues COVID-19 has caused for local authority indoor leisure.
Labour council pressed to insource service
Neath Port Talbot CBC has been urged to bring its leisure services under direct control as it searches for a new operator.
Sport England to make case for further leisure support
Sport England is to make the case for further support for the leisure sector from the Government, The MJ understands.
MPs attack 'broken' council funding
The Government has promised reform of the system of financing local authorities.
Small steps matter on climate change
Tackling climate change is becoming fundamental to everything we do. Knowing how your service can make a contribution to the overarching objective of net zero is a good starting point, says Paul O'Brien.
Wigan insources leisure services
The council is to bring its leisure centres in-house in a bid to safeguard jobs following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
