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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Local councils cutting sports facilities - BBC survey | Local councils cutting sports facilities - BBC survey |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| More than a third of UK councils have cut or closed some public sports facilities in the past three years, a BBC investigation has found. | More than a third of UK councils have cut or closed some public sports facilities in the past three years, a BBC investigation has found. |
| A fifth of the councils that responded to BBC Radio 4's You and Yours survey had closed at least one service. | A fifth of the councils that responded to BBC Radio 4's You and Yours survey had closed at least one service. |
| But 33 councils had added new facilities or increased hours. | But 33 councils had added new facilities or increased hours. |
| In Scotland where sports provision is a legal requirement 15 out of 26 councils (58%) had reduced services compared to 99 out of 276 (36%) English councils. | In Scotland where sports provision is a legal requirement 15 out of 26 councils (58%) had reduced services compared to 99 out of 276 (36%) English councils. |
| The figures for Wales were 8 out of 20 councils (40%) and for Northern Ireland 4 out of 24 councils (17%). | The figures for Wales were 8 out of 20 councils (40%) and for Northern Ireland 4 out of 24 councils (17%). |
| Almost a quarter of councils across the UK had cut opening hours. | Almost a quarter of councils across the UK had cut opening hours. |
| The survey follows calls to make the most of the success of Team GB at the Olympics and ensure a sporting legacy from the Games. | The survey follows calls to make the most of the success of Team GB at the Olympics and ensure a sporting legacy from the Games. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron has said there needs to be "a big cultural change" in favour of competitive sports in schools, while the British Olympic Association (BOA) has called for a "step change" in government policy towards sports. | Prime Minister David Cameron has said there needs to be "a big cultural change" in favour of competitive sports in schools, while the British Olympic Association (BOA) has called for a "step change" in government policy towards sports. |
| Lord Moynihan, the outgoing chairman of the BOA, said he wanted new laws to force councils to ringfence money for leisure provision. | Lord Moynihan, the outgoing chairman of the BOA, said he wanted new laws to force councils to ringfence money for leisure provision. |
| Multi-million venues | Multi-million venues |
| Of the 369 UK councils who responded to the poll of 434 surveyed, 346 operated sports facilities such as swimming pools, leisure centres and athletics tracks. | Of the 369 UK councils who responded to the poll of 434 surveyed, 346 operated sports facilities such as swimming pools, leisure centres and athletics tracks. |
| Seventy local authorities had closed at least one sporting facility, and 126 had reduced what they could provide. | Seventy local authorities had closed at least one sporting facility, and 126 had reduced what they could provide. |
| But 33 councils had increased the number of sporting facilities available or lengthened their opening hours. | But 33 councils had increased the number of sporting facilities available or lengthened their opening hours. |
| In Glasgow, services have been increased and improved with several multi-million pound venues being developed ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. | In Glasgow, services have been increased and improved with several multi-million pound venues being developed ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. |
| The survey included anywhere people went to play sport or exercise - ranging from swimming pools and gyms to bowling greens and skate parks. | The survey included anywhere people went to play sport or exercise - ranging from swimming pools and gyms to bowling greens and skate parks. |
| Sport is a discretionary requirement of local authorities in England. | Sport is a discretionary requirement of local authorities in England. |
| However the law is different in Scotland where councils have to make adequate provision for sport. | However the law is different in Scotland where councils have to make adequate provision for sport. |
| 'Protect and secure' | 'Protect and secure' |
| Lord Moynihan told the BBC he will call for legislation to force councils to set aside funding for leisure provision. | Lord Moynihan told the BBC he will call for legislation to force councils to set aside funding for leisure provision. |
| He said: "When we see facilities being cut back then those who have been inspired by the Games don't get the opportunity to really engage in sport. | He said: "When we see facilities being cut back then those who have been inspired by the Games don't get the opportunity to really engage in sport. |
| "We should be looking at changing the law to make provision of sport and recreation opportunity a statutory requirement. | "We should be looking at changing the law to make provision of sport and recreation opportunity a statutory requirement. |
| "At the moment in England it's discretionary and once it's discretionary it's inevitable that councillors will be looking for discretionary cutbacks first." | "At the moment in England it's discretionary and once it's discretionary it's inevitable that councillors will be looking for discretionary cutbacks first." |
| Sport England said more than 15 million people were taking part in sport each week - an increase of half-a-million over the past six months. | Sport England said more than 15 million people were taking part in sport each week - an increase of half-a-million over the past six months. |
| According to its own survey - which includes non-council facilities there was more provision of sporting overall. | According to its own survey - which includes non-council facilities there was more provision of sporting overall. |
| Are you in the UK? Have you noticed a change in the provision of public sports facilities? Get in touch using the form below |