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Debate over the role of the Guernsey Sports Commission reached fever pitch in the States this week, with the deputy responsible for sport insisting the final whistle for its future funding is yet to be blown and that opposing arguments are “misleading”.
The States approved annual funding of £250,000 for a sports plan known as Activ8 in 2020, but after recent requests from Policy & Resources for departments to cut expenditure by around 2.5%, Education, Sport and Culture suggested reducing cash for the commissioned sports agency to around £84,000 within a few years.
Deputies took the opportunity during the government work plan debate this week to criticise this proposed reduction. Several made brief comments, contextualized around the sporting success of and public support for the 2023 Island Games. Deputy Steve Falla simply said “hands off the Sports Commission”, while Deputy Marc Leadbeater said “please don’t cut the funding”.
But Deputy Andrea Dudley-Own strongly denied those suggestions, and said the committee is yet to come to a final view on the Commission’s future financials.
“The committee is still in discussions with the Guernsey Sports Commission about the level of funding that should be attached to the ongoing delivery of activate and how that overall funding is prioritised,” she said, adding that the feelings of deputies expressed in the meeting would be considered before official plans are brought forward in September.
She added that has ESC not considered the cash given to the Commission as part of wider cost saving exercises could’ve resulted in it being accused of bad management.
Pictured: Deputy Andy Cameron has been a vocal critic of majority decisions taken by a committee he sits on - ESC.
ESC rebel Deputy Andy Cameron called out contradictions within P&R’s work plan paper which on the one hand called for “enhancing the use of effective commissioning” but later noted the two thirds reduction in funding for the States’ sport plan.
“By cutting funding to Activ8 we are cutting physical education in our secondary schools… just stopping it without having a full understanding of the consequences is just bizarre,” he said.
“The Sports Commission needs £247,000 just to ensure the bare basics can continue. The cuts proposed will cripple the Activ8 strategy, a strategy voted in unanimously in the previous term.
“Sport plays a crucial role in promoting physical activity and overall health. By investing in sports programmes and facilities we can encourage islanders to lead active lifestyles, reducing the risk of chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sport also contributes to mental well being fostering positive self esteem, reducing stress and promoting social interaction."
Deputy Cameron added that the changes were not a good look for the island given recent events: “What sort of message is this sending to those involved in the Island Games just days after topping the medal table? We have alarming levels of inactivity and obesity amongst teenagers - what message does it send to that?
“What sort of message does it send to those wishing to relocate to Guernsey? What sort of message that sent to those considering creating a new commissioned service that all they can expect from the States is inconsistent support?”
Deputy Heidi Soulsby said the recent green light given to new purpose-built facilities for Guernsey football at Victoria Avenue was positive, but less so if the island is unable to properly feed into the sport itself.
“There is not much point in building some fantastic new facilities. If we've not got the people to make the most of it… I really do hope that ESC doesn’t think that they can do the same thing internally for the same cost.”
P&R’s own policy paper highlighted that the States’ agreed sports strategy assists with other top priority initiatives, she added. “Activat8 must be seen as, and this is what it says, essential and complimentary to any planning related to sustainable health and care services.
“But then in an almost ‘there is nothing to see here’ way in paragraph 7.2 it says that the budget is planned to be cut by two thirds… This is really, to use a sporting analogy, a spectacular own goal.”
Pictured: The Guernsey Sports Commission has worked alongside government to deliver sports programmes for all ages.
Deputy Dudley-Owen rebutted the attacks by saying without ESC proposing any new cash for Activ8, its objectives and its delivery vehicle of the Sports Commission would’ve ceased to exist.
“The narrative that has been picked up by a couple of colleagues is that the States is set to agree that sports strategy funding to the Sports Commission from 2024 should be set at a much lower level than it has been in recent years. This is an oversimplification of the situation. And in fact, it's misleading.
“The previous committee under the former Deputy Fallaize secured funding for only three years of the Sports Commission to deliver Activ8 plan for sport, which is a 10-year plan. This money will soon run out and the committee must do something. It is not the case as some have cautioned against even in this debate that ESC is cutting the Commission's budget or looking to hive off monies to use elsewhere.
“If we are not taking the action to include Activ8 in the [government work plan] funding process, then the funding previously secured for only three years would simply stop."
Sport relies on more than money from the public coffers, she added.
“Public funding has of course played a part in developing some of our competitors, however the excellence demonstrated by all competitors is testament to the individual grit and determination to succeed, supported by the strength of local grassroots passion, and that should be celebrated. No one involved in sports ever rests on their laurels and supporting competitors to be the best they can be might take the form of sports support, but most importantly it takes hundreds of hours of dedication from parents clubs and the wider community. As an island we are clearly doing something right.”
Deputy Peter Roffey said he was surprised to hear that funding for the Commission is not set in stone but welcomed the chance for revisitation. Meanwhile P&R President Deputy Peter Ferbrache said “vitriolic” and “unfair” criticism of ESC was unhelpful and ignored larger financial problems.
“What's your alternative? Are you saying we don't need to cut back? If so what's your justification for that? If you're saying it shouldn't be sport, what should it be? Come up with something else,” he said.
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