Countywide leisure review tackles health inequalities
25 Apr 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Northumberland County Council's leisure services have gone out for tender after a major review to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in the county.
Understanding the health challenges facing Northumberland and identifying how partners can work together was fundamental to the leisure review, which was carried out by the County Council.
The aim was to develop a county wide strategy to tackle inequalities, increase physical activity, encourage greater participation and ensure equal and improved access to services for all residents.
Active Northumberland has managed the authority’s leisure centres since 2014.
Gill O’Neill, Executive Director of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities, said: “Exercise and physical activity have proven physical and mental health benefits.
“These benefits include reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, dementia and some cancers, as well as improving some symptoms of chronic diseases such as COPD and diabetes. It can help in maintaining a healthy weight and improve the overall well-being and quality of life.”
Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Healthy Lives said: “We are proud of the fact this County Council has invested £105m into its leisure provision in recent years to improve the health and wellbeing of those who live in, work in or visit Northumberland. This includes four brand new leisure centres along with millions more spent refurbishing our other facilities.
“We are committed to working towards making exercise and activity more inclusive and affordable for everyone, to break down barriers to participation and to encourage more people to become active, ultimately improving the health and wellbeing of residents in our county.
"While Active Northumberland provides an excellent service, we are legally bound to go out to tender. We have taken this opportunity to review and adapt our leisure services contract to incorporate a greater focus on the health and wellbeing of the wider community.
“Our aim is to provide a high quality, value for money leisure service that meets the needs of residents, helping to make the sedentary more active and closing the inequalities gaps that prevent some population groups from taking part in physical activity.”
Under UK law the authority must conduct a public procurement process to ensure transparency, fairness and ensure the authority obtains value for money and the best services possible.
Northumberland County Council is using the opportunity to transform the future provision to a Community Leisure and Wellbeing Service.
For further information about this procurement opportunity go to www.procontract.due-north.com (project reference DN660862) or https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011241-2023