Decision details

Consultation:
Physical inactivity is associated with 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and is estimated to cost the UK £7.4 billion annually (including £0.9 billion to the NHS alone). Unfortunately, our population is around 20% less active than in the 1960s. If current trends continue, it will be 35% less active by 2030. Cycling can improve both physical and mental health and can reduce the chances of experiencing many health problems. Current work undertaken regarding cycling is providing successful but the cycling ability and confidence levels in Sandwell remain poor, if we are to support more use of cycling for active travel and transport then we must first address the ability and confidence levels of our communities by offering a range of accessible led rides within parks and greens spaces and making available bikes (balance, children’s, adults and adaptive) to our population, also creating a pathway of development taking people from non-cyclist to cycling for pleasure and health to sporting aspirations. Another key issue is current bike assists and storage, this proposal aims to remove this by commissioning a provider that will be responsible for supplying bikes and storage. We would hope to have a provider in place for summer 2024. During the contract duration there will be an expectation to develop a bank of volunteers that can continue delivery post contract end working in close partnership with British Cycling and Cycle UK.


Timescales:
To take full advantage of better weather we would aim to have a provider in place for summer 2024


Previous service performance:
In August 2022 Sandwell Public Health entered in to an agreement with British Cycling to host a ‘Cycle Activator’ who’s role is to raise the profile and levels of cycling in Sandwell, set up and deliver Lets Ride & Learn to Ride sessions, Ride Leader training, attend promotion events to raise the profile of cycling and to establish a time table of led rides in Sandwell’s parks and green spaces. To date this work has been successful and it is clear that more activity and provision is required to accompany this role and work and move Cycle More Sandwell to the next stage of development.


Sustainability
Public health is committed to funding this programme given the positive impact to residents. We will work with the provider to recruit and train local volunteers who can lead sessions and train as volunteer ride leaders.

(1) That approval is given to award a contract to the successful bidder for a comprehensive, high quality and cost-effective cycling provision that will engage with non-cyclists, cyclists with low ability and low confidence levels, those wishing to improve cycling ability and those wishing to gain the skills to use cycling as a form of active travel utilising cycle paths, cycling infrastructure, green routes and help activate Sandwell’s green spaces and canal routes. Also, to enable the development of a cycling ’hub’ based at Sandwell Valley activating existing facilities and the newly developed Urban Bike Park, and to enable and develop pathways from non-cyclist to competent cyclist and to open the opportunities to engage with cycling as a sport and engage with local and national competitions. and to plan and co-ordinate a range and agreed number of cycling events/competition hosted at the valley;

(2) That approval be given to allocate finance under the Public health budget, of £150,000 per year (exclusive of VAT). Plus a £5,000 contribution each year from our Sports & Leisure department to support the competition element of the specification Total budget would be £465,000 (exclusive of VAT) and is for a 2+1 year contract based on provider performance;

(3) That the approval be given to enter into and execute, under seal as may be required, any contracts or ancillary documentation in relation to the award of contract referred to in recommendation (2) above;

(4) That approval be given to implement necessary variations to the Contract up to a maximum of 10% of the Contract value, should they be necessitated;

(5) That approval from the appropriate officer is sought to authorise an exemption to rule 8.11 of the Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules 2022 to allow a contract to be awarded to a successful tenderer in the event that the required minimum number of tenders are not received.

Directors/Officers are authorised to take executive decisions in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation to Officers with a value up to £500,000.

The consensus, led by the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK and developed through review of the scientific evidence and expert clinical and patient consensus, has concluded that the benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks for people living with long-term health conditions. Increasing physical activity levels is a Public Health priority both locally and nationally. If current trends continue, we will be 35% less active by 2030. Cycling is simple, cost affected and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Cycling can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

Sandwell has a lower Healthy Life Expectancy than the English average by 2 and a half years for males and 1.8 years for females, this suggests there are higher rates of long term illness locally.

Sandwell also has higher rates of physical inactivity. According to the Active Lives survey 36.8% of adults in Sandwell are inactive (doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week). This is 11% higher than the England average.

With the development of the Urban Bike Park at Sandwell Valley, the developments of Sandwell’s cycling infrastructure and investments in to cycling routes, town re development plans and active travel this is the opportune time to do more to encourage the use of cycles for leisure, transport, recreation and sport.

Cycling can help to protect you from serious, Cycling is easy to fit into your daily routine by riding to the shops, park, school or work. To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation and sport. Also working in partnership with our Sports & Leisure department this brings the opportunity to create a cycling ‘hub’ at Sandwell Valley, and to activate the urban bike park, to move cycling for pleasure and health to sporting

The implementation of this programme is core among a range of interventions required to improve levels of physical activity and general wellbeing of Sandwell residents.