Councils team up to boost sports and well-being activities

Blaby District Council is teaming up with neighbouring authority Oadby and Wigston Borough Council to expand its sport, physical activity and community health and well-being work.

The partnership means Blaby District officers will provide activity programmes for both its own residents and those who live in Oadby and Wigston.

People from both districts will be able to use the offerings provided in each area including sports, exercise referrals and falls prevention classes.

External grants, expected to be secured by Blaby District Council, will fund the scheme from 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Any external funding which Oadby and Wigston Borough Council may secure will also be used and go towards paying for the creation of three new posts to help provide the services.

Councillor Nigel Grundy, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: "We look forward to working with Oadby and Wigston in helping provide essential activity programmes for residents.

"Like previous partnerships we lead on, having officers who carry out the same role for more than one local authority means we can be flexible to ensure that staff work in those areas where the demand is greater.

"Our residents will have access to programmes and classes across both Blaby District and Oadby and Wigston meaning they can attend a venue that better suits their personal circumstances.

"Alongside this the development of the two community health and well-being plans will also offer the chance to jointly tackle any gaps in provision or where we have the same health inequalities. This will benefit residents in both our areas."

Councillor Samia Haq, Deputy Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said: "We’re dedicated to providing excellent services and value for money for our residents and the creation of this partnership will allow us to achieve both of these.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us and we’re looking forward to working in partnership with Blaby District Council to improve the sport, physical activity and community health offer across both areas.

"The partnership also gives us great flexibility in what we can offer, allowing us to create programmes that tackle health inequalities and ensure we are engaged with those who can be traditionally hard to reach in our borough."

Councillor Nigel Grundy
Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets