LGA survey shows 2012 legacy for local councils

The overview of 16 councils identified different projects that have been established since London 2012 to create better opportunities for people to participate in sport and recreation. Some of the councils who identified participation rates as a large success included:

• Suffolk County Council’s ‘Get Healthy, Get Active’ programme, has seen over 3, 500 previously inactive people take up community sport. This has resulted in an increase in the number of people participating in sport and recreation in Suffolk by 2.2%.
• St Helens Council have created an annual multi-sports festival in partnership with local sports clubs which sees over 5,000 people take part in a variety of sports such as walking football, cricket, squash and rugby league and union.
• St Albans Council have invested in three new leisure centres. This has resulted in an increase in the number of people participating in sporting activities of 50% by 2015.

The statistics reveal the positive impact of a long term strategy by the Local Government Association to get more people active - inspired by the legacy of London 2012. With Rio 2016 now well underway, sports organisations are already able to report on the benefits of having their sport on a global stage. Last week, the ASA stated that Olympic swimmers have inspired over 20,000 more people to search for their local pool or swimming club since the start of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The LGA’s snapshot survey also highlighted the economic impact of London 2012 in local communities. In 2014, Braintree hosted the third stage of the Tour De France in partnership with other Essex and London boroughs. The event itself attracted 250,000 spectators and boosted the local economy by £400,000.

In Suffolk, the council helped to secure stages of the Tour of Britain and the Women’s Tour road cycling events in the county and also organised the Great East Swim. The council was able to attribute a further £6 million generated to the local economy as a result of the sporting events.

Councillor Ian Stephens, Chair of the LGA's Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:

"With the Olympics well underway, now is the time to reflect on the sporting legacy which has been left since London 2012. Councils have been at the forefront of ensuring that the feel good factor from one of the most successful Games ever has been translated into a tangible and lasting transformation of grassroots sports and participation.

"Councils have played a key role in the 2012 legacy as it's their services people often rely on as they find private facilities prohibitively expensive. It's essential governing bodies of sport, councils, local sports clubs and community groups keep working well together to maintain this enthusiasm and make getting involved in sport as easy as possible for communities everywhere."

For more information about the case studies featured in the LGA’s survey please click here

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