Local authorities are responsible for providing leisure facilities and services for its communities, from leisure centres and village halls to parks and open spaces. They also provide a wide range of sporting and physical activities for people of all ages within the locality. Figures show that around 25 million visits are made to local authority sport and leisure centres in Wales each year.
Promoting and increasing physical activity is imperative to improving our nation’s health and wellbeing, and local authorities are continually looking for ways to increase participation within their communities.
The WLGA is a member of the Physical Activity Ministerial Advisory Group which provides expert advice to the Minister for Heritage to help ensure the effective implementation of the Welsh Government’s strategy for physical activity and sport - “Creating an Active Wales”.
With the advent of the London 2012 Olympics, there are a plethora of opportunities for local government in Wales to get involved. The WLGA is a member of the Wales Steering Group for the London 2012 which meets quarterly to discuss all aspects of the Games’ impact on Wales.
The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) is a Welsh Government funded scheme, coordinated by the WLGA which targets clients who are at risk of developing chronic disease and provides standardised exercise referral opportunities across all local authorities and local health boards in Wales.
The WLGA has contributed to the development and implementation of the Welsh Government’s Free Swimming Initiative, which provides children and young people aged 16 and under and people aged 60+ with access to free swimming at their local public swimming pools.
The WLGA works closely with local authority Chief Leisure Officers and also works in partnership with the Sport Wales on various strategic initiatives.