Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1             This report is to provide an update on progress on implementation of Belfast Boxing Strategy for October to December 2020 (Quarter 3).

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

(i)     Note Quarter 3 progress report and the impacts of Covid-19 restrictions on agreed KPIs.

(ii)   Approve the 2021 – 2022 action plan and budget.

3.0       Main report

            Background

3.1       Council agreed, through the January 2018 Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, to provide £200,000 to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association Ulster Branch (IABA) for delivery of an agreed annual action plan supporting the Belfast Boxing Strategy.

3.2       The IABA provided SP&R with a detailed breakdown of programmes to be delivered under six main areas. Salary – Development Officer and Coaches, Pathways, Events, Coach Education, Club Support, Governance.

3.3       Following this decision the Belfast Boxing Strategy Steering Group has met quarterly, with the most recent meetings held online due to Covid-19 and associated regulations. This Steering Group is chaired by the Director of Neighbourhood Services with Council Officers, IABA Officers and Officials and Co. Antrim Board Officials attending. Small variations to the budget across the six areas have been agreed to assist prioritisation in line with the agreed annual action plan.

            Monitoring

3.4       The Leisure Development Unit works directly with IABA officials to verify reporting on performance and finance and provides detailed reports for discussion at the Steering Group.

            Performance

3.5       Council agreed a total of 37 Indicators with IABA to monitor delivery of the programmes. IABA have complied with reporting requirements and their performance report 20/21 Q3 is at Appendix 1. As can be noted, achievement of targets in-year to date (Qtrs 1-3) has been significantly impacted by Covid-19 regulations and restrictions as imposed by NI Executive with many previously deferred to take place within Qtr 4. IABA have provided narrative against each of the KPIs to describe progress against each indicator and have advised that current restrictions will prevent most targets from being achieved at year end.

3.6       Much of the focus has therefore been on availing of online training and workshops for both committee members and coaches, as well as delivering online workout sessions, supporting clubs with accreditation or reaccreditation, as well as with funding applications and providing ongoing advice and support.

            21/22 Action Plan

3.7       In line with normal process the IABA have developed their programme action plan relating to 21/22 (copy attached) which outlines the key programmes, initiatives and planned targets.   The group have also take coginsance of the support that will be required in terms of recovery from COVID 19 and have plans to introduce a new grants scheme for Belfast Club to support with member retention and re-engagement through support for online coaching and resources.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.8       A total of £200,000 is available within the current financial year to support the Action Plan. It is likely that up to approximately £124,000 will be expended from the 2020 – 2021 budget.

            For the 2021 – 2022 action plan, an amount of £200,000 is allocated within existing estimates

            Equality Impact/Rural Needs Assessment

3.9       The strategy was equality screened in line with the Council’s equality process.  The screening showed that there were potential adverse impacts on a number of groups including females and people with a disability and mitigating actions were added to the strategy. Members agreed that an equality screening be undertaken prior to a decision being made in relation to funding for 19/20.  Officers have finalised this screening and initial findings show that progress has been made in increasing the participation of underrepresented groups and this has been reported separately through the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.  The IABA continue to target underrepresented groups in its delivery of the 20/21 programme with particular focus on the events and non-contact programme. IABA have also advised that the three Belfast clubs which had been affiliated to the Northern Ireland Boxing Association (NIBA) have re-joined the IABA and are now in a position to be fully supported through the Strategy action plan and Council Sports Development funding.”

            The Committee noted the Quarter 3 progress report and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the agreed KPIs and approved the 2021 – 2022 action plan and budget.