East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust Business Improvement Plan

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, on behalf of East Dunbartonshire Council, is responsible for the operation, management and delivery of Leisure and Cultural services throughout East Dunbartonshire.

The services are delivered under the terms of a service agreement with the Council. These services are delivered through five main groupings which are Libraries and Museums, Heritage and Arts, Sports Development, Leisure Centres and Active Schools. The Trust Articles of Association set out the Key Objectives of the Trust which are reflected in the Culture Leisure and Sports Strategy. The key objectives are detailed below.

The company's objects are:-

• To advance the arts, heritage, culture and science
• To advance public participation in sport
• To provide recreational facilities, and organise recreational activities with such facilities/activities being made available to members of the public at large with the object of improving their conditions of life
• To advance education
• To advance health
• To advance citizenship and/or community development (which may include the promotion of civic responsibility, volunteering, the voluntary sector and/or the effectiveness or efficiency of charities)
• To relieve those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
• To promote, establish, operate and/or support other similar schemes and projects which further charitable purposes.

Although EDLCT is not listed as a Lead Strategic Group the five key service delivery areas of Libraries, Heritage & Arts, Sports Development, Leisure Centres and Active Schools contribute to the LOIP for East Dunbartonshire Council. The range of activities and programmes on offer between Leisure and Cultural services make a clear contribution towards Outcomes 2, 3, 5, and 6. Key examples of these include the Active Schools programme, Sport Development Programme, Learning Opportunities across Libraries and Culture and Partnership working to impact on Health issues through the Live Active, walking programme and weight management and active choices programmes. A brief description of the work of the teams is detailed below:

Active Schools Team

The Active Schools Team work across all East Dunbartonshire Primary, Secondary and ASN schools to:

• Increase the number of children and young people participating in school and community sport and
• Increase capacity through the recruitment, retention and development of volunteers to deliver sport in school and the wider community.

The team achieve both national outcomes by working closely with pupils, school staff, parents, volunteers, local sports clubs, as well as local and national partners to create a broad range of accessible extracurricular opportunities both within school and the local community.

Active Schools Coordinators use local and national data to ensure opportunities are targeted at those in most need, tracking success each term through Sportscotland Mysport Data and regular Cluster plan reviews.

Sports Development Team

Sports Development deliver a wide range of grassroots sport and physical activity programmes across East Dunbartonshire through term-time programmes which run for 40 weeks of the year and school holiday programmes for a further 9 weeks. Activities on offer include:

• A comprehensive Aquatics programme including the term time Learn to Swim framework, individual swimming lessons, holiday camps, diving and a range of other aquatic disciplines
• Gymnastics programme ranging from adult & child to recreational and trampolining classes, with schools competitions and holiday camps
• Football community programme offering mini-kickers, football centres, goalkeeping and girls only sessions in addition to a comprehensive primary schools/after schools programme and holiday camps
• Our Multi-sport programme includes a range of activities such as athletics, badminton, basketball, netball, tennis and holiday camps
• A 30 week Rugby programme in primary schools in partnership with local rugby clubs, Education and Scottish Rugby
• The Athlete Performance Programme is a strength & conditioning programme to support local athletes in progressing through the pathway of their chosen sport from club / regional to elite level and runs for 40 weeks of the year
• Club area based support across a range of priorities identified by clubs and provision of annual coach education calendar of courses ranging from first aid and safeguarding to sports specific.
• Volunteer support, training and guidance linking volunteers in sport with clubs and employers across East Dunbartonshire.
• Sports Council support and administration.

In order to effectively develop and promote the above sports and opportunities, the team work in partnership with a variety of organisations including sportscotland, governing bodies and local clubs.

The team also support EDC, ED Health & Social Care Partnership, and other partners to deliver targeted programmes such as Snack & Play, Going for Gold (nursery programme) and Summer ASN activities.

Heritage & Arts Team

EDLCT Heritage & Arts Service provides free physical and digital access to museum and archives collections and widens access to participation and learning through the offer of a broad cultural and creative programme. Specialist staff support access to online resources, including local archives and family history.

The Heritage & Arts Service works to embrace and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion through:

• Community engagement and partnership working
• Exhibitions, performance, activities and events programme
• Targeted work through externally funded programmes.

We engage with people through local heritage, archives & collections, cultural assets and heritage & arts programming, contributing to improved mental health and well-being. We do this through:

• Operational management of four heritage venues; The Auld Kirk Museum, Lillie Art Gallery and Kirkintilloch Town Hall & Heritage Centre and Kilmardinny House which enable access to civic and national collections through permanent, temporary and touring exhibitions
• Heritage & Arts learning opportunities through talks, workshops, co curated exhibitions and events
• Access to and engagement with physical and digital local studies, family history and archives collections
• Engagement opportunities for children, young people and adults in visual and performing arts.
• Externally funded programmes which enhance our service offer by providing projects which target priority groups and Place Areas
• Developing partnerships to maximise opportunities to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Provision of high quality, affordable spaces, for the use of local businesses, groups and individuals for business and social interaction.

Leisure Centres

EDLCT Leisure Centre allow public access to a range of sports and physical activity opportunities to the public. There are three large multi-purpose facilities in the area which are all 4 star visit Scotland accredited and attract over 1 million customers every year. The centres are also our main base for the extensive Sport Development programme

EDLCT Centres provide facilities for:

• Swimming
• Over 300 Fitness Classes each week.
• Sports activities including Badminton, Squash, Football and Table Tennis.
• Live Active Exercise referral scheme.
• Children’s Play Activity.
• Sports Development programmes including swimming football and gymnastics.
• Access for a number of local Sports Clubs.
• Access for schools.
• Gym membership totalling 11,552.

Libraries

EDLCT Libraries offer free and universal access to resources for reading, learning and enjoyment. Specialist staff support access to a world of information, knowledge and ideas; in particular we strive to ensure every citizen of East Dunbartonshire has access to online and digital resources.

The library service works to earn its place in the heart of communities. The service celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion and is committed to supporting people by improving:

• Reading, literacy and learning
• Health and Social & Economic Wellbeing
• Achievement and employability.

Our priorities include:

• Free access to books, newspapers electronic newspapers & magazines, audio and e-audio books; and a wide range of online services
• Support with reading for pleasure, from committed staff offering help to select and promote a wide range of library resources and activities; including a growing number of local reading groups
• Digital inclusion; including free internet access, access to high quality modern devices (laptops, tablets and printers), use of new and emerging technologies, information on internet safety and one to one and group digital support and coaching
• A programme of social and cultural activities – including classes, cultural activities and informal learning opportunities
• Providing access to warm, safe community spaces and meeting spaces
• Supporting reading, informal learning and social opportunities for children, young people and their families, offering a wide programme of focussed activities including Bookbug Sessions, Code Clubs and visits to schools and early years settings.

An inclusive offer with targeted and tailored services and activities in libraries and community venues, including dual-language books and a Home Library Service.

As a charity, our main aim is to provide facilities for recreation, sport and cultural pursuits which are of maximum benefit to the community and accessible to all. In order to help deliver our aim a Strategy was developed with key partners and formally launched on 14 March 2017.
The Culture Leisure and Sport Strategy (CLSS) was adopted by all Community Planning Partners and set out the direction for culture, leisure and sport by establishing an overarching ambition for provision within the area. The ambition is to be realised through a series of long-term objectives and key priorities for action. The strategy pulled together national and local priorities in all of the areas that shape culture, leisure and sport to produce a co-ordinated approach to provision. Although the Strategy now requires to be updated, the key over-arching objectives still apply.

1. Increasing Participation for All
To increase participation in culture, leisure and sport for all residents, workers and visitors of East Dunbartonshire in an inclusive and sustainable manner.

2. Improving Physical/Mental Health and Wellbeing
To improve health and wellbeing through culture, leisure and sport opportunities that enables everyone in East Dunbartonshire to lead full and active lives.

3. Developing People
To support and develop the network of volunteers and staff involved in delivering culture, leisure and sport in East Dunbartonshire, and to support all individuals in developing their talent, skills and confidence.

4. Maintaining the Quality of Our Existing Culture, Leisure and Sports (CLS) Offer & Maximising Opportunities
To maintain the quality of our current culture, leisure and sport offer, improve existing services and maximise opportunities for providing new activities and services by incorporating high environmental and design standards. Therefore ensuring that East Dunbartonshire has first class culture, leisure and sport venues and services EDLCT has a further two priorities in addition to the four CLSS priorities:

5. Review of 2016 CLSS
To work in partnership with EDC to review and update or renew the Culture, Leisure & Sport Strategy for East Dunbartonshire to provide a more up to date framework and direction for the partnership working required to address the challenges we face and build upon our successes.

6. EDLCT Digital Strategy implementation
Continued development of Digital strategy key objective areas, improving processes for staff, and customer service delivery. Using analytics to identify key objectives beyond 2026 and key performance indicators set for next phase of development areas.