To receive the annual report from SportsAble.

David Scott, Head of Communities, introduced the item and informed the Panel that this was a second annual progress report in the three-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) and the SLA had been attached to the report as had been requested previously by Panel Members.

Asghar Majeed, Chairman of the Trustees of SportsAble, gave an overview of the report highlighting the headlines, the background and the performance report. Asghar Majeed then handed over to Julia Chester, Vice Chairman of the Trustees Board, who spoke about membership, the sports offered, the outreach sessions and how they were run.

Julia Chester informed the Panel of a new, exciting model called ‘Sport Prescription’. This was similar to the NHS pioneering idea of Information Prescriptions as a way to improve patient care. A Sport Prescription would cover free weekly sport taster sessions and heavily discounted membership of SportsAble for six months.

Julia Chester informed the Panel that they had taken advice from a GP who was a specialist in Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal problems as well as a member of SportsAble. The pilot scheme was to work directly with ten local GP surgeries to offer each surgery five ‘sport prescriptions’ which they could give to patients they identified as being likely to benefit both physically and emotionally.

SportsAble required RBWM support, endorsement and help in signposting of the scheme. If the pilot scheme was successful, then SportsAble would require a grant to assist them roll out on a wider scale.

Councillor Baskerville asked for more information on the allegations about the way the charity operated, property thefts and data breaches. Julia Chester reassured the Panel that it was mainly social media hype. Julia Chester explained that the trustees were all volunteers and SportsAble was mainly run by volunteers and all the hype on the allegations was regrettable and distracted from the work of SportsAble. The Charity Commission and the ICO were involved and an interim report recognised that SportsAble had dealt with all allegations correctly and were reviewing all its policies and procedures.

Councillor Price asked what the added value was from receiving the grant of £50K. Julia Chester informed the Panel that the grant had been fundamental in running the club house, offering sports opportunities to so many people. It assisted the club to budget more effectively.

Councillor Bhangra referred to the figures in the report, there had been a 6% increase over 2018 in total of 681. Was there a breakdown of how many of those users were from the borough. Julia Chester informed the Panel that there was no breakdown of what areas users came from, but they were mainly from the borough. There were three prospective Paralympic athletes training at SportsAble.

ACTION: SportsAble to present an update report to the Panel in six months. The update report to include base data from 2017 onwards and a breakdown of what area the users come from and what postal ward if possible.

Councillor Price asked about the outreach programme and why Manor Green School were not part of it. Julia Chester explained that they had worked with the school previously but were not working with them now. Councillor Price continued to ask about the sports prescription and highlighted that it was like the GP model. Councillor Price thought it was an excellent idea and fitted well with the RBWM strategic priorities.

Councillor Bhangra asked what SportsAble were doing to encourage people to join certain unusual sports such as New Age Kurling, Boccia and Air weapons. Julia Chester informed the Panel that SportsAble offered a full range of sports, members had the opportunity to try new sports. These varied from year to year and the club would like to offer more. There were free taster sessions available for all members.

Parish Councillor Margaret Lenton said this was all very positive and asked if user weight was measured. Julia Chester informed the Panel that weight was not measured as it was intrusive. The club provided a range of sports and social for members. However, height and weight would be measured as part of the sports prescription.

Councillor Baskerville asked what was meant by Air Weapons and was informed that this was the sport of air rifling. There was a Paralympic trainer in this sport who was also a trustee.

Councillor Bowden clarified what outreach meant, and it was explained either a group coming to SportsAble or SportsAble to go to a specific group or school. The outreach programme covered a wide range of areas. Councillor Bowden advised that there were no schools/groups from Ascot, Datchet, Windsor or Wraysbury.

ACTION: SportsAble to work with borough to identify groups that could offer support for the outreach facilities.

Councillor Price asked what would be SportsAble’s strategic priorities, three to five years ahead. Julia Chester informed the Panel that they would be to secure the income, consolidate the key objectives and to have the commitment to provide sporting opportunities to disabled people.

Councillor Bowden asked if the Panel could be sent the redacted version of the interim report completed by the charity commission. Julia Chester informed the Panel that the MD, Duncan Sharkey was fully aware of the full detail and was satisfied that all was above board and the impact on the SLA had been addressed.

ACTION: SportsAble to provide Panel Members with a redacted version of the Charity Commission report.