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Submitting views to consultations can be time consuming – but it can make a huge difference, writes Andy Reed. The former MP is currently undertaking a review of the County Sports Partnerships
By Andy Reed | Published in Sports Management 27 Jun 2016 issue 123
When I was asked by DCMS to carry out the review of County Sport Partnerships (CSP) – first announced in the government’s Sporting Future strategy – I jumped at the chance to help. Although, for very good Civil Service reasons, the ‘review’ became an ‘appraisal’, but that’s another story.
Having worked inside government with civil servants on policy development over the years, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to help address some of the challenges set out in the strategy and the Sport England response. It’s one of the reasons I set up the Sports Think Tank – to develop good long-term policy solutions based on evidence.
Strategic challenges The new strategy sets tough challenges, such as working with new groups of consumers and measuring outcomes differently. In many respects we’re entering uncharted waters. So the appraisal isn’t intended as a review of past performance, but is about how we can get the most out of the current network and partnerships.
I’m sure there was a degree of ‘consultation fatigue’ in the sector by the time I launched the CSP Future online survey and set up workshops across the country. But I was determined that we listened and encouraged stakeholders to participate. I was also genuine in my intention to start with an open mind.
The fact that more than 300 people and organisations took time to submit useful and interesting insights was powerful for me. I spent my Friday evenings individually reading all weekly submissions. I’m sure there are some who wonder if it’s ever worth submitting views to consultations. From my experience and engagement in this process, I’d always encourage thoughtful interventions. I picked up new information, fresh ideas and perspectives and some very honest feedback. This is vital in any policy-making process.
The consultation events were lively and engaging and some people certainly took the opportunity to be very honest. I love this sort of input and challenge. It’s good we can be robust in a mature way with each other if we are to get the best out of our combined efforts.
Consistent messages If new community sport and physical activity partnerships are to work they will have to be consistent in their mission and delivery of services and strategic in their approach locally. This may mean partnerships looking different across the country and working with different agencies but the objective of a joined-up sport and physical activity system at local level still remains a dream worth pursuing. Where the tensions do exist we need to act quickly to resolve them in the interests of the consumer.
I trust that as we develop and deliver the new Sport England strategy all those who submitted their views will recognise their input has been part of the answers to making the system work better for the people we are here to serve.
Consultations, reviews and appraisals are far from kicking an issue into the long grass. They are a great opportunity to listen, share and shape solutions.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Submitting views to consultations can be time consuming – but it can make a huge difference, writes Andy Reed. The former MP is currently undertaking a review of the County Sports Partnerships
By Andy Reed | Published in Sports Management 27 Jun 2016 issue 123
When I was asked by DCMS to carry out the review of County Sport Partnerships (CSP) – first announced in the government’s Sporting Future strategy – I jumped at the chance to help. Although, for very good Civil Service reasons, the ‘review’ became an ‘appraisal’, but that’s another story.
Having worked inside government with civil servants on policy development over the years, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to help address some of the challenges set out in the strategy and the Sport England response. It’s one of the reasons I set up the Sports Think Tank – to develop good long-term policy solutions based on evidence.
Strategic challenges The new strategy sets tough challenges, such as working with new groups of consumers and measuring outcomes differently. In many respects we’re entering uncharted waters. So the appraisal isn’t intended as a review of past performance, but is about how we can get the most out of the current network and partnerships.
I’m sure there was a degree of ‘consultation fatigue’ in the sector by the time I launched the CSP Future online survey and set up workshops across the country. But I was determined that we listened and encouraged stakeholders to participate. I was also genuine in my intention to start with an open mind.
The fact that more than 300 people and organisations took time to submit useful and interesting insights was powerful for me. I spent my Friday evenings individually reading all weekly submissions. I’m sure there are some who wonder if it’s ever worth submitting views to consultations. From my experience and engagement in this process, I’d always encourage thoughtful interventions. I picked up new information, fresh ideas and perspectives and some very honest feedback. This is vital in any policy-making process.
The consultation events were lively and engaging and some people certainly took the opportunity to be very honest. I love this sort of input and challenge. It’s good we can be robust in a mature way with each other if we are to get the best out of our combined efforts.
Consistent messages If new community sport and physical activity partnerships are to work they will have to be consistent in their mission and delivery of services and strategic in their approach locally. This may mean partnerships looking different across the country and working with different agencies but the objective of a joined-up sport and physical activity system at local level still remains a dream worth pursuing. Where the tensions do exist we need to act quickly to resolve them in the interests of the consumer.
I trust that as we develop and deliver the new Sport England strategy all those who submitted their views will recognise their input has been part of the answers to making the system work better for the people we are here to serve.
Consultations, reviews and appraisals are far from kicking an issue into the long grass. They are a great opportunity to listen, share and shape solutions.
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism
destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection,
called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company
ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
