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Wales 'lacks fitness leadership' Wales 'lacks fitness leadership'
(about 10 hours later)
A lack of "effective leadership" in efforts to make the people of Wales more active has come under fire.A lack of "effective leadership" in efforts to make the people of Wales more active has come under fire.
A committee of Assembly Members says says no-one has yet been appointed to lead the assembly government's flagship Climbing Higher strategy. A committee of assembly members says no-one has yet been appointed to lead the assembly government's flagship Climbing Higher strategy.
The 20-year plan was launched in 2003 aiming to place sport and active recreation at the heart of Welsh life.The 20-year plan was launched in 2003 aiming to place sport and active recreation at the heart of Welsh life.
The assembly government said it accepted that the areas highlighted by the audit committee needed improvement.The assembly government said it accepted that the areas highlighted by the audit committee needed improvement.
The committee said it recognised the strategy was "ambitious and requires collaboration across many players".The committee said it recognised the strategy was "ambitious and requires collaboration across many players".
The consequences of physical inactivity are increasingly becoming a global problem Committee chairman David MeldingThe consequences of physical inactivity are increasingly becoming a global problem Committee chairman David Melding
It said that local authorities, the Sports Council for Wales, the National Public Health Service, and community, voluntary and charitable organisations were also involved.It said that local authorities, the Sports Council for Wales, the National Public Health Service, and community, voluntary and charitable organisations were also involved.
But it criticised the assembly government for not providing leadership in getting Wales more physically active.But it criticised the assembly government for not providing leadership in getting Wales more physically active.
The committee said the auditor general recommended in June 2007 that one person should be responsible for Climbing Higher, but that has still not happened three and a half years into the scheme.The committee said the auditor general recommended in June 2007 that one person should be responsible for Climbing Higher, but that has still not happened three and a half years into the scheme.
One example of this lack of leadership, the report claimed, was the lack of clarity about the strategy's main target of 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.One example of this lack of leadership, the report claimed, was the lack of clarity about the strategy's main target of 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.
The committee said the importance of physical activity was not being communicated clearly to those who needed it most.The committee said the importance of physical activity was not being communicated clearly to those who needed it most.
The aim is to provide more high achievers, like cyclist Nicole CookeThe aim is to provide more high achievers, like cyclist Nicole Cooke
The committee chair, Conservative AM David Melding, said: "The consequences of physical inactivity are increasingly becoming a global problem for this and future generations - not least the financial costs, at around £650m a year for Wales.The committee chair, Conservative AM David Melding, said: "The consequences of physical inactivity are increasingly becoming a global problem for this and future generations - not least the financial costs, at around £650m a year for Wales.
"We are therefore disappointed to find that Welsh Assembly Government has not appointed a senior individual to champion work across the assembly government to increase physical activity and to liaise with other stakeholders in overseeing and co-ordinating this work in Wales."We are therefore disappointed to find that Welsh Assembly Government has not appointed a senior individual to champion work across the assembly government to increase physical activity and to liaise with other stakeholders in overseeing and co-ordinating this work in Wales.
"It is equally disappointing that work on the action plan has not been completed so far into the project."It is equally disappointing that work on the action plan has not been completed so far into the project.
Climbing Higher was launched in July 2003 by then Sports Minister Alun Pugh at the top of Snowdon.Climbing Higher was launched in July 2003 by then Sports Minister Alun Pugh at the top of Snowdon.
International competitionInternational competition
The strategy highlighted 19 key aims for sport and active recreation to be met by 2023 with the aim of enabling Wales to succeed in top international competition.The strategy highlighted 19 key aims for sport and active recreation to be met by 2023 with the aim of enabling Wales to succeed in top international competition.
Mr Pugh said at the time: "Above all, encouraging more people to get active is about creating a healthier, happier Wales."Mr Pugh said at the time: "Above all, encouraging more people to get active is about creating a healthier, happier Wales."
The committee said it was so concerned about the lack of action over a leader for Climbing Higher that it had recommended that, as well as an initial response, the assembly government should provide an update report, tracking progress against each of the six recommendations, within 12 months.The committee said it was so concerned about the lack of action over a leader for Climbing Higher that it had recommended that, as well as an initial response, the assembly government should provide an update report, tracking progress against each of the six recommendations, within 12 months.
Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones, who has responsibility for sport, said: "I will look carefully at the recommendations contained in the audit committee report on physical activity over the summer and respond in detail to the National Assembly in the autumn.Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones, who has responsibility for sport, said: "I will look carefully at the recommendations contained in the audit committee report on physical activity over the summer and respond in detail to the National Assembly in the autumn.
"I certainly accept that the report highlights areas that need to be improved and my full response will reflect that.""I certainly accept that the report highlights areas that need to be improved and my full response will reflect that."