Opportunities for Participation - key concepts AS PHYSICAL EDUCATION Opportunities for Participation - key concepts

You need to be able to….. Define and describe in detail the following terms; - public sector - private sector - voluntary sector Give examples for each of the above. Explain how each of the sectors is funded and operated. List the advantages and disadvantages of each of the sectors as shown below

Leisure Provision in the UK There are THREE SECTORS in leisure provision in the UK - private, public, voluntary All provide physical activity opportunities to individuals and groups within society. They are quite different in their approach however although more similarities now exist between private and voluntary sectors.

Three Sectors of Leisure Provision Public Sector Services that are provided by national or local government, funded from taxation, provided and managed by the local community (e.g. swimming pools, sports pitches, parks, sports halls). Private sector Active leisure and recreation facilities and services provided as a commercial venture, where the primary objective is making a financial profit (health and spa facilities, fitness suites). Voluntary Sector The provision of active leisure, recreation and sport opportunities by individuals without receiving payment. The provision is made by the members for the members.

Public Sector “Services that are provided by national or local government, funded by taxation, provided and managed for the good of the local community”. E.g. multi-sport centre's, swimming pools, sports pitches, parks, adventure playgrounds, leisure pools, local sports halls, skateboard parks, nature trails. Funded via taxes or other government or public support, e.g. the Lottery, Sport England. Responsible for running and maintaining sports facilities for the good of the community.

Public Sector They have to be managed effectively (although buildings may be paid for by government). All groups in society have to be provided for. Some groups who use these facilities may be subsidised to encourage participation and to make sports facilities accessible. E.g. those with a disability, under 16s, pensioners.

Public Sector – provision by schools ‘Dual Use’ of sports facilities – where schools use facilities in the day and communities in the evenings, at weekends and in the school holidays ‘Joint Use’ of sports facilities – where the sports facility is planned in the first instance to be shared by a school and the local community and is financed by both sides.

Private Sector “Active Leisure and recreation facilities and services provided as a commercial venture, where the prime objective is making a financial profit” E.g. Health spa’s and facilities, golf facilities, squash and tennis centres, children’s play facilities. Primary aim is to make a profit and provide facilities to a high standard.

Private Sector Admission and membership charges. Private sector can ‘cherry pick’ the best recreational opportunities/users. This can mean that the public sector can be left to run large, expensive facilities for less well off members of the public. Incorporates the CCT and Best Value systems

‘Compulsive Competitive Tendering’ (CCT) Introduced in the 1980’s A system whereby local councils must invite private sector companies to bid for the right to manage a local authority leisure facility. WHY was this introduced??? Improve quality of local authority provision.

What effect did this policy have on local authorities? It forced them to look at how well they were using their facilities, the kind of service they were providing for the local community and whether they were able to run their facilities within budget guidelines. Many local authorities then made a bid to manage their facilities in competition with the private sector.

Best Value A key government policy (2000) that requires local authorities and any other related organisations to consider the best value for money they can provide as well as considering the value of the experiences they offer. In 2000 BV policy was introduced which took over from CCT Government initiative aimed at improving the quality of local services including leisure and recreation.

How does BV work? Works on a set of best value performance indicators and council leisure services are judged on a range of criteria including customer satisfaction.

Best Value- simply… Finding out what people want and expect Setting standards that match expectations Delivering services to these standards Measuring and demonstrating successful service delivery Reviewing expectations, standards, delivery and success.

Councils are regularly inspect their Leisure facilities against the four ‘C’s They are: Challenge- are they doing the best they can compared to the best councils Consult- with other local communities and monitor customer satisfaction Compare- services against other councils, private and voluntary sectors. Improvement plan in place. Compete- prove they are managing it the best way or it will be given to private or voluntary to take over.

Voluntary Sector “The provision of active leisure, recreation and sport opportunities by individuals without receiving payment. The provision is made by the members, for members”. E.g. sports clubs / teams, sports/recreation associations. Must be individuals prepared to to run the clubs (undertake the various roles) so that others can participate. Needs to be financial support from grants (e.g. Sport England, National Lottery).

Can the voluntary sector provide equality of opportunity? Yes No Nearly all sports or physical activities will have some provision by the voluntary sector. It’s voluntary If there is no provision for a certain sector, there is no opportunity to participate. Provision can not be guaranteed.

Characteristics of each Leisure Sector Public (e.g. local leisure centre) Private (e.g. private leisure centre) Voluntary (e.g. local netball club) Business operations run by local authorities Privately owned registered companies. Business operations owned by members. Trading on set prices / charges according to a pre-set budget Trading on normal profit / loss / self-financed i.e. to make a profit! Possibly on trust / charity basis: trading on normal profit / loss / break even. Managed by local authority employees. Managed by owners and their employees. Managed by members committees / may employ staff. Support roles filled by volunteers May involve subsides as a matter of policy / council tax or equivalent Must operate and survive in the open market / make a profit / compete. Financed by members’ fees, fundraising, sponsorship. Work with schools to provide ‘joint use’ or ‘duel use’ facilities. Target high value goods and service for better off members of the community. Operates not for profit – surplus income retained within the club to enhance facilities / provide a better service. Clubs / teams raise finances through social activities (fundraising). Encompass a whole range of sporting a physical recreation activities.

Objectives of each sector Public Private Voluntary Provides a service for the local community. Aims to make a profit for the owner. Provides for grass roots sports as well as professional layers in clubs. Tends to be more affordable than the private sector Can cater for a more exclusive and wealthier clientele. Tries to increase participation in their sport. Social impact on health, employment and occupying population in positive activities. Provide employment opportunities Target under represented groups in participation Add to the country’s economic activity. Develop new and refurbish old facilities To provide high quality facilities Using leisure facilities, try to contribute to community health

Advantages & Disadvantages of each sector Public Sector Access has to be for all members of society because it’s a public service. Therefore no groups of society can be disadvantaged. Access to funds are limited for projects. Taxes may not always be sufficient to provide quality facilities. Money is allocated from taxation for this purpose. Local authorities are economically disadvantaged in some areas (les money to spend on sport and leisure facilities) Not driven by the need to make a profit (can engage in non-profit making ventures). Lack of financial freedom to borrow and invest money (like private sector) Private Sector Can react quickly to a ‘gap’ in the market or ‘need’ in society e.g. public health. Joining costs, fees for using the facilities – out of reach for some in society. Can meet individual needs Restriction on numbers means that some are unable to join e.g. golf/tennis clubs (rules to maintain exclusivity) Can restrict membership, so there aren’t too many people using facilities at one time. Social exclusivity / actual discrimination e.g. golf clubs and women. Some sports can have an image of exclusivity (e.g. tennis).

Advantages & disadvantages of the voluntary sector Lots of activities, / levels of participation available. Unplanned and uncontrolled, so opportunities cannot be demanded. If opportunity is lacking on one area, one or more people can make it happen (enthusiasm). No equal opportunities remit – no responsibility. Not usually an economic disadvantage for people as you choose to get involved and support is available (costs low). Continuity not guaranteed (clubs can collapse). Financial support available for voluntary clubs through national government, businesses, local sponsorship. Financial support not guaranteed. Can be socially exclusive in some sports