Leisure Media Issue 3 2009 - Leisure Opportunities

NEWSPublic SectorScottish museum summitScotland’s 60 museum leaders convenedin Stirling last month to debatehow best to address the challenges facingthe sector.The conference focused on how thenation’s industrial and voluntary museumscan be sustained and how fundingand limited resources can be betterdistributed between national and localmuseums. Leading the convention,culture minister Michael Russell said:“This summit presents a real opportunityfor new thinking about how weunderstand museums in Scotland, howwe work together, and how best wecan tell the story of this country.“While we have the ScottishGovernment’s Recognition Scheme -which allows the 33 collections recognisedas being of national significanceCouncils to endcotton wool cultureCouncil leaders across the UK haveannounced plans to introduce zipwires, tree houses and large climbingstructures in playgrounds across thecountry in order to put adventure backinto children’s playtime.Research from the Local GovernmentAssociation (LGA) has revealed thatcouncils are including an increasingamount of adventure equipment as partof a scheme to build or refurbish morethan 3,500 playgrounds by 2011, whichhas been funded by a £235m fundingpackage outlined in the government’sChildren’s Plan.The conference focused on best practiceto apply to a special funding stream- there remains an obvious dividebetween local and national provision ofmuseum services.”Thousands of playgrounds will be upgradedLocal authorities are also introducingholiday play schemes, includingBMX biking, surfing and circus skills, aspart of efforts to end what the LGA haslabelled a “cotton wool culture”.Planning extension forleisure developersLeisure developers are now ableto retain their planning permissionfrom Westminster City Council(WCC) for up to five years in a moveto help projects that are put on holdduring the economic downturn.The council, which originallyallowed developers to keep theirpermission valid for up to threeyears, introduced the extension soapplicants can avoid the lengthyprocess of resubmission as wellas the risk of their projects beingscrapped due to the long-termuncertainties in the economy.Cllr Robert Davis, WCC deputyleader, said: “Our aim is to help asmany developers as possible makethese plans a reality.Sport England seeksincreased participationSport England has called for “everyonein sport” to do more to increaseparticipation by people with learningdifficulties.Sport England hair, RichardLewis, made the call as heannounced a funding packageworth £200,000 for this year’sSpecial Olympics.The event, which will be held inLeicester between 25 and 31 July, isopen to children and adults with alearning disability, and thousandsare expected to compete.Lewis said: “The games offer achance for more than 2,700 athletesof all ages to realise their potentialand experience the thrill of competingin a major sporting event.Welsh bi-lingual sports plan unveiledThe Sports Council for Wales (SCW)is establishing new bilingual drop-insports centres throughout the countryto encourage young people to take partin physical activity, while supporting aplan to boost the Welsh language.The four-year scheme being launchedin collaboration with Urdd GobaithCymru will see almost £140,000 beinginvested in 32 new drop in centres, 24new community clubs, school holidayprogrammes and sports festivals inCardiff, Ceredigion, Eryri and RhonddaCynon Taf, with plans to spread thescheme throughout Wales by 2013.The venture will train and employ300 Welsh-speaking sports leaders and60 coaches.SCW chair Philip Carling said: “Weare passionate about sport and our richheritage and language. It makes sensethat we make sport as welcoming aspossible to everyone in Wales. That’swhy we are making sure that there areplenty of opportunities for people totake part in bilingual sports sessions.”The scheme will run for four yearsISSUE 3 2009 © cybertrek 2009Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 15