Embedding Governance for Sport and Physical Activity
A collaborative systems approach to improving health and wellbeing
In 2025, Active Essex transitioned from Sport England’s Local Delivery Pilot to the new Place Partnership Deepening approach, securing funding to continue progress across North Essex. This required a refreshed governance model to align partners around shared priorities.
A new Place Partnership Deepening Strategic Group now provides collective oversight and embeds programmes within existing system structures, including the North Essex Children’s Partnership Board, Health and Wellbeing Boards, and the North Essex Alliance Place Plans, ensuring sport and physical activity are integrated into wider health and community agendas.
To support this strategic oversight, two operational groups, Active Tendring and the Colchester Active Wellbeing Group, were established to drive delivery. These groups connect partners, share learning, and ensure funded roles work collaboratively as part of a coherent, joined‑up system.
This work, governed through the North Essex Children’s Partnership Board, will begin delivery in April 2026 and aims to create a replicable, sustainable model that strengthens physical, emotional, and social wellbeing for CYP and their families.
A wide range of partners have been involved in shaping and delivering this work, which include Sport England, Tendring District Council, Colchester City Council, the North Essex Alliance, Health and Wellbeing Boards, CVS Tendring and wider voluntary sector partners, Essex Pedal Power and TAWS, Colchester United Football Club, and education and public health partners. Their collective commitment has strengthened collaboration and reduced duplication across the system.
Challenges
- Cultural and structural change is still needed to properly embed governance while navigating uncertainty from Local Government Reform
- Ensuring operational groups are genuinely purposeful, with clear roles and shared ownership
- Supporting Colchester to shift from a leisure‑focused approach to a broader wellbeing‑focused model
- Balancing strategic oversight with local flexibility, and maintaining momentum by “holding our nerve” through system change
This governance approach is vital due to embedding physical activity into established systems supports interventions to remain stable through periods of change and become part of routine health and wellbeing practice. Active Essex’s support has strengthened alignment between funded roles and priorities, improved collaboration, reduced duplication, and created constructive spaces for partners to share challenges and successes.
Looking forward, the operational groups will continue to develop, with Active Tendring and the Colchester Active Wellbeing Group leading local delivery and reporting into strategic boards. The governance model will guide the implementation of PPD interventions and support long‑term sustainability, embedding physical activity even more deeply within the systems that influence the lives of communities across North Essex.
