Planning for Sport and Active Recreation Facilities ... - Brent Council

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• We will develop a programme of activities to ensure
local people benefit from the 2012 Olympics and
Paralympics.
Health and well-being
• We will encourage and support local people to make
healthier life choices, through programmes to reduce
smoking, promote healthy eating and take part in
physical activities.
• Our focuses will be on providing social care services that
enable people to maintain an active life, participating in
leisure and recreation activities within an inclusive local
community.
Community engagement
• We also want to support and encourage individuals
to take an active role within their communities and
are working with the voluntary sector to promote
volunteering and citizenship projects.
A Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity in Brent 2004
- 2009
This was produced with the objective of co-ordinating
the delivery of key services and agreeing key priorities to
maximise the opportunities and benefits associated with
the development of sport and physical activity in Brent.
Priorities and actions detailed within the strategy revolve
around six key themes:
1. Promoting the health benefits of an active lifestyle
2. Increasing awareness of sports opportunities
3. Ensuring sports facilities are fit for purpose
4. Reducing barriers to participation and ensuring equity
in sport
5. Supporting and developing local sports clubs
6. Increasing sports opportunities for young people
Priority target groups were identified within the strategy
to focus work to increase levels of participation and
these are: young people, older people, black and ethnic
minority groups, people with disabilities, and women
and girls. Eight priority sports were also chosen with
whom steering groups have been established and sports
specific development plans written. These sports are:
athletics, basketball, cricket, football, martial arts, netball,
swimming and tennis.
This strategy is currently being reviewed and consultation
undertaken such that a new strategy will be written and
implemented in 2009.
Success in Brent - Regeneration Annual
Review 2005-2006
This review identifies the main aim of the Brent
Regeneration team to improve the quality of life of all of
Brent’s residents, workers and visitors. Regeneration work
is focused within 5-6 key areas: Stonebridge, Harlesden,
St Raphael’s, Brentfield and Mitchell Brook, Church End
and South Kilburn. Priorities and issues identified within
the Action Plan and focus areas for future development
include the following:
• Promoting employment opportunities.
• Promoting renewal in our priority neighbourhoods.
• Reducing fear of crime within priority areas.
• Delivering Wembley.
The Brent Parks Strategy 2004 - 2009
This sets out a policy framework for the development
of Brent’s parks over a five year period, linking in with
the Council’s wider strategic priorities. The following
section considers the importance of public open space
in contributing to increases in informal (and formal)
participation, which is pertinent to our overall review of
facilities within Brent.
The scope of the Parks Strategy includes public parks,
public open spaces, children’s play areas and allotments.
The four key themes with associated objectives that have
emerged are provision of parks, maintenance, funding
and participation.
Brent Playing Pitch Strategy
Guidance on planning and providing for playing fields for
team sports within Brent up until 2008 is provided within
the Brent Playing Pitch Strategy 2003 - 2008. Projections
for future demand have been made using sports
development targets and a 10% growth in the current
Team Generation Rates and should be considered in the
context of borough-wide need. The document made key
recommendations including
• protecting playing pitch land
• provide pitches in East, West and South of Brent;
upgrade facilities
• prioritises upgrading of existing ancillary sports facilities
• improve school access to pitches
• convert underused senior pitches into junior and mini
soccer pitches