Decision

1. 1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services providing an overview of the Sport England Place Investment secured by Sheffield for the period April 2026 to March 2028. The investment will support delivery of the Move More Sheffield programme, with Sheffield City Council (SCC) providing operational management and delivery of the Community Development and Move Well work programmes.

The report sought approval for SCC to enter into a subcontract with Sheffield Hallam University Services Limited for delivery of the agreed work programmes.

1. 2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks, and Leisure Policy Committee approves the Council entering into a subcontract with Sheffield Hallam University Services Limited for the delivery of the Community Development and Move Well work programmes as part of the Sport England Place Investment programme with a total contract value of £1,053,927.24 (including VAT), subject to the terms not being materially different from those outlined in this report.

1. 3

Reasons for Decision

1. 3.1

Approval of the proposed subcontract with Sheffield Hallam University Services Limited will enable Sheffield City Council to deliver the Community Development & Services and Move Well work programmes as part of the Sport England Place Investment programme, maintaining its strong position within local, regional and national physical activity and health partnerships.

1. 3.2

The investment will support community-based services within five priority neighbourhoods, increasing opportunities for residents to improve their health and wellbeing whilst strengthening the capacity of VCSE organisations and community-led provision.

1. 3.3

The expansion of the Move Well service will enable more residents living with long-term health conditions to access support to improve their health and wellbeing, whilst strengthening links between healthcare pathways and community-based physical activity opportunities.

1. 3.4

Whilst there are contractual obligations associated with delivery of the work programmes, the anticipated benefits to residents, communities and the wider health and wellbeing system are considered to significantly outweigh the associated risks.

1. 4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

1. 4.1

Do not enter into the proposed subcontract with Sheffield Hallam University Services Limited for delivery of the Community Development & Services and Move Well work programmes.

Advantages

·       The Council would avoid any financial, operational or contractual risks associated with delivering the work programmes and meeting the associated performance, monitoring and reporting requirements.

·       No additional management, governance or contract management responsibilities would fall to the Council.

Disadvantages

·       SCC was identified by NCSEM and partner organisations as the preferred delivery body for the Community Development & Services and Move Well work programmes due to its established governance arrangements, existing service provision and experience in delivering physical activity, health and wellbeing programmes. Declining this role would present a reputational risk with national, regional and local partners.

·       It is unlikely that an alternative organisation could assume delivery of these work programmes within the required timescales, creating a significant risk to programme delivery and the associated Sport England investment.

·       Failure to enter into the subcontract would result in a missed opportunity to invest in priority neighbourhoods, expand the Move Well service and strengthen community-led and VCSE delivery, reducing the city's ability to address physical inactivity and health inequalities.

·       Declining the opportunity would weaken SCC's strategic role within the city's physical activity and health system and could reduce future opportunities to secure external investment and influence programme development.