Views sought as more people ‘get active’

The amount of people swapping their slippers for trainers has risen in Blaby district over the last two years and residents’ views are wanted on sport and physical activity in Blaby district

The Active People Survey shows there has been an increase from 22.5% to 24.7% of adults, and from 21.5% when the survey started in 2005.

This rise over seven years is the third largest increase in Leicestershire.

Record numbers of women and men in the East Midlands are playing sport with 1.3 million taking part each week, an increase of 70,000 on last year.

Blaby District Council is looking to the public to help with planning how sport and physical activity is
delivered within the district.

The Council receives funding from Leicestershire County Council to deliver on what needs are identified, which is where views from local residents come in.

Councillor David Clements, Corporate Services, Performance and Leisure portfolio holder at Blaby District
Council, said:

“In order to plan the right services for the district we need to know what residents want in their area, from activities to facilities, and which ages or groups need more for them.

“We are therefore running a public consultation and would greatly appreciate residents letting us know their thoughts and providing us with any suggested changes.

The legacy of the Olympics is evident within Blaby district too with an increase of residents taking part in sport for 30 minutes at least once a week compared to last year.

The consultation can be found at www.blaby.gov.uk/atconsultation

Figures released last week by Sport England show that 15.5 million people aged 16 and over are playing sport, which is 750,000 more than a year ago and 1.57 million more than when London won the Olympic and Paralympic bid.

The number of people taking part has risen sharply in the period since the London 2012 Games got underway, with strong increases in Olympic sports such as cycling and sailing.

Cllr Clements said:

“It’s excellent to see more people are choosing to get active, and I hope this continues into the new year where the Blaby Local Sports Alliance will be launching a range of new activities for residents.”

People can keep up to date with activities and events across Blaby district by following Active Together Blaby on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information contact 0116 272 7703, email activetogether@blaby.gov.uk or visit
www.blaby.gov.uk/activetogether.