Yes.
Section 19(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 empowers the council to make recreational facilities available for use by such persons as the council thinks fit either without charge or on such pay.
Section 111 of the Local Government Act, 1972 enables the council to do anything that is calculated to facilitate or is conducive or incidental to the discharging of its functions as a local authority.
Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 empowers the council to take action to implement measures it considers likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being of the borough.
The council will currently only charge commercial fitness and sports providers who deliver organised sessions, including personal training, in the parks who are charging their participants to attend. In some other circumstances, where a charge is passed on to a member of the public by the provider for none sport or fitness sessions, a charge maybe considered.
The provider must prove they have public liability insurance to be carrying out the activities they are charging for.
The provider.
Due to the many variables involved this would be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Yes. They have to be qualified to deliver the activities they are charging for. The qualifications are verified through their membership of seal (Dudley Council’s Sport & Physical Activity Providers Association). See www.dudley.gov.uk/seal for more information.
No. All equipment must be supplied by the provider.
Any equipment used will be the property of the provider and therefore paid for by them.
Through the parks development and physical activity teams.
The money from charges is reinvested into the parks to further enhance them as places where people can be physically active. This is in line with Dudley Council’s positive approach to health and well being.