Publication Draft

In principal Sport England objects to this allocation. I would refer to my comments on Policy DS6.

In principal Sport England objects to this allocation. I would refer to my comments on Policy DS6.

In principal Sport England objects to this allocation. I would refer to my comments on Policy DS6.

I could only support the sports complex element if the proposal is based on robust evidence and shown to be finically independent of any WDC subsidies

I am concerned over the narrow field WDC places on the definition of employment.
Sport's contribution to the English economy reached £20.3 billion in 2010, 1.9% of the England total.
This placed sport up in the top 15 industry sectors in England above motor vehicles, telecoms services, legal services, accounting, publishing, advertising and the utilities.
The economic benefits of sport in the West Midlands is also recognised and a Sport England survey in 2008, showed continued growth from 2002 with over £2.1 billion spent on sport-related goods and services in the region in 2008. In the same year, consumer expenditure on sport accounts for 2.9% of the total expenditure in the region, the highest percentage among the English regions. Compared with 2005, there is a 39% increase in sport-related consumption. During the period 2003-2008, the proportion of total consumer spending on sport has increased from 2.4% to 2.9%.

Sport and associated industries are estimated to employ 54,200 people in the West Midlands. This represents an increase of 23% over the period 2005-2008. During the aforementioned period, the percentage of sport related employment in the region increased from 1.8% to 2.2%. Employment linked to the sport-retailing sector increased very strongly during the 2005-2008 period, reaching 5,400 people employed. The region bucked the recession trend in all sport related indicators. Sport therefore plays a vital role in the economy in the West Midlands and in particular in Warwick DC

I support this policy but would remind WDC that sport does play an active role in regeneration. Rowing, canoeing and kayaking take place on canals, and can create opportunities for people who normally only associate sport with big team sports. Consideration should be given to working with these sports governing bodies to investigate if investment could be levered in creating a water sports hub on the canals.

I support the thrust of this policy but would suggest a minor change to bullet point 8):

8.to support the important role that culture, leisure and sports assets play in our communities and economy, particularly focusing on the role of town centres;

Paragraph 3.10
A small point of clarification: does WDC mean indoor bowling centres and/or 10-pin bowling centres? I would have said both.

Please my comments for Policy DS14

I would recommend that consideration is given to changing the title to Directing New Tourism, Sport, Leisure and Cultural Development
Leisure and Sport are different but have a lot of similarities. I am happy with the wording of the policy as I believe it can apply to sport without being detrimental to it.