11 Oct 2018
Exeter aims to be the most active city in England by 2021
BY Andy Knaggs
Exeter City Council has published a new corporate strategy and 'emerging vision' for 2040, with a key priority being the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles for residents.
The council aims wants Exeter to be the most active city in England by 2021, with a new city centre swimming pool and leisure centre and improved leisure facilities.
It will also focus on reducing traffic congestion and inspiring greater numbers of people to walk and cycle to work.
The aspiration is for 10,000 residents to move from an inactive to a regularly active lifestyle.
The 2040 vision states that a child born in Exeter today will – by the time they are adult – “live in a city that is inclusive, healthy and sustainable – a city where the opportunities and benefits of prosperity are shared and all citizens are able to participate fully in the city’s economic, social, cultural and civic life”.
Rosie Denham, lead councillor for city transformation, said: “The vision incorporates contributions and feedback from a range of plans, consultations and groups, such as the Exeter Community Strategy, our Homelessness Strategy, the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan, Exeter City Futures, and many more.
"The council can’t achieve the vision on its own, but setting it out in our Corporate Plan is the first step in asking others to play their part.”
Feedback is being welcomed from businesses, communities, individuals and outside bodies until the consultation period ends on 1st December 2018.
Exeter is one of 12 places selected by Sport England to work on a groundbreaking approach to tackling inactivity.
Funding from Sport England over four years will go towards making it easier for people in these communities to access sport and physical activity, with a special focus on those at highest risk of physical inactivity and those on low incomes.
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