Sport, physical activity and the establishment of Health and Wellbeing Boards in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

• Published in: Managing leisure 2014-03, Vol.19 (2), p.92-104
• Main Author: Murphy, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exercise; health and wellbeing; physical activity; Public health; sport
• ISSN: 1360-6719; 1466-450X
• DOI: 10.1080/13606719.2013.859459

This paper examines the emergence of Health and Wellbeing Boards in Nottinghamshire and the City of Nottingham and explores the implications for sport and physical activity. At the time of writing the transfer of responsibilities for public health and the establishment of Health and Wellbeing Boards in both the City of Nottingham and within Nottinghamshire County Council are considered to be relatively advanced by the Strategic Health Authorities, the respective local authorities and by the boards of the two Primary Care Trusts. "Shadow" Health and Wellbeing Boards have been established in both authorities and they have been meeting regularly for several months. Public health and commissioning staff have also been successfully relocated and new strategies and priorities are starting to emerge. Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have traditionally acknowledged the role of sport and physical activity to the wider determinants of public health and given a relatively high priority to the contribution that sport and physical activity can make to their preventative health and early intervention agendas. This paper looks at the transition to Health and Wellbeing Boards to assess how the role of sport and physical activity may be changing and to identify opportunities for its contribution to policy and practice in the future. It examines both the theory and practice behind the emerging governance arrangements, the strategic objectives and priorities, and the developing evidential base for future policy and delivery within the two areas.