Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
01/01/2008
As well as being one of the most deprived areas of Wales, the population of Blaenau Gwent is also one of the least active. The Council has proactively been looking to increase levels of physical activity since it published its Sport and Recreation Strategy in 2000.
The primary focus of the strategy was to invest in ageing facilities. The Council invested more than £10 million over five years, with funding mainly provided by Sports Lottery funding via the Sports Council. One major development was Abertillery Sports Centre, a dual-use facility which includes sports facilities used by the adjoining school, the public and a day care centre for the elderly.
Having made a substantial investment in facilities, the Council has moved on to focus on health and wellbeing and in particular, physical activity. The Council published Sport and Active Living, its strategy for increasing physical activity, in January 2006, with an emphasis on improving health through changing lifestyles and sport and aligning to Climbing Higher aspirations.
In keeping with this shift, and in response to its Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy, the Council has developed a partnership with the LHB which will result in a joint commissioning structure to deliver physical activity and other services. This is facilitated by a change in the political structure which means that Leisure Services falls within a Healthy Living portfolio.
Contact Name: Lyn Phillips
Contact Role: Head of Leisure and Culture
Contact Telephone: 01495 311556
Contact Email: info@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Contact Address: Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
Municipal Offices
Civic Centre
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6XB