Consultation on the new Sandwell strategy for physical activity, physical education (PE) and sport 2009-2014 ends today (26 September 2008).

Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP) was commissioned by the Sandwell Physical Activity Board to develop a five year strategy that will provide a focus for physical activity, PE and sport in Sandwell whilst contributing to improving standards and achievement of national, regional and local targets.

Much good work has already been undertaken to develop physical activity, physical education (PE) and sport in Sandwell. In a borough that has one of the worst levels of inactivity in the country, the challenge is to do better so that more people are active more often and for longer. The strategy will capitalise on this good work, increase local activity levels and raise the profile of the area.

The creation of the draft strategy follows research to develop in-depth understanding of the policy context and the socio-demographic profile of the area. It is underpinned by the findings of face to face consultation with more than 80 local authority officers, elected members, partners and stakeholders to clarify the current position within Sandwell and identify key issues.

The ambition is to significantly increase the number of people in Sandwell who participate regularly in physical activity, PE and sport. The proposed objective to help achieve this is, thus:

To increase levels of physical activity and participation in PE and sport in Sandwell from 14.9% to 21.9% 

The report from which the strategy is drawn considers how it will link to what is happening nationally, regionally and locally and assess what Sandwell is like, why a strategy is needed and the local need for physical activity and sport under key themes:

• Increasing participation levels
• Physical education and school sport
• Facilities
• Performance measurement
• Marketing and advocacy

Feedback received previously from the steering group and more recently from local authority officers, partners and stakeholders has been unanimously positive:

"I would like to congratulate the Physical Activity Board, and Knight Kavanagh and Page for collating the strategy. It is the first working document to drive physical activity in conjunction with PE and Sport. I felt the document was concise and came to logical conclusions and recommendations."

The next stage of the process will focus on compiling comments and feedback into a consultation report that will be discussed with the steering group in October to identify outstanding issues and actions necessary to respond to comments made. A finalised and approved strategy will follow by the end of the year. Adoption by principal partners is expected by March 2009.