Councillors to consider 10-year Sport and Physical Activity Strategy
Councillors will be asked to approve a new 10-year Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2027-2037 at a meeting of the Executive on Thursday 5 November.
At its core is a focus on improving health and wellbeing by helping people to be more active throughout their lives.
The strategy sets out how the Council and its partners would support more people to take part in sport and physical activity, while addressing barriers including transport, disability access, confidence, the location of facilities and affordability for those most in need.
This has been developed following consultation with residents, sports clubs, community organisations and partners, including 635 responses to a public survey.
Recorded visits across the Council's sport and leisure network increased from around 862,500 in 2022/23 to more than 1.6 million in 2025/26. Community use of school facilities has also risen from just under 200,000 visits to more than 640,000.
Supporting participation
If approved, the strategy would guide services, investment and partnership working over the next decade. Annual action plans, starting in April 2027, would set out how it is delivered.
Proposals include:
- establishing the Falkirk Active Communities Fund, using up to £50,000 a year from existing Sport and Leisure budgets to support local projects
- reviewing affordability support to better target people facing financial barriers
- developing community sport networks linking clubs, schools, facilities and health services
- making better use of existing facilities and community venues
- improving pathways between school, community and club sport
- using physical activity to support prevention, recovery and wider health outcomes.
A separate Strategic Sports Pitch Plan would also be developed over the next six to nine months, examining the condition, capacity and future requirements of pitches across the area. The plan would then be brought back to the Executive for consideration.
Future facilities
The report also notes progress on proposals for a potential regional leisure and wellbeing hub, with land near Falkirk Community Stadium previously identified as the preferred site. A business case is expected to be considered by councillors in June 2027.
Approval of the strategy would not approve individual building projects, facility changes or major capital investment. These would require separate business cases, consultation and decisions by councillors.
Michael McGuinness, Head of Growth, Planning, Sport and Culture, said:
Participation across our facilities has grown, but we know that cost, transport, accessibility and confidence can still prevent people from taking part.
"The proposed strategy provides a long-term framework for working with clubs, schools, communities and health partners to address those barriers and to make the best use of facilities across our area.