Enabling sport and physical activity through Local Government
Insufficient physical activity is one of the main modifiable risk factors for the 5 main non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and poor mental health.
An estimated 3,000 deaths in Scotland each year are attributable to physical inactivity. More than 80% of deaths attributable to inactivity occur amongst those undertaking very low levels of activity (under 30 minutes per week).
In Scotland, 22% of adults reported doing under 30 minutes of physical activity per week in 2022, while only 65% of adults met recommended levels of physical activity. If people in the very low activity category increased their activity levels by 15 minutes per week, an equivalent of around 1,000 years of life lost from premature ischaemic heart disease death alone could potentially have been averted.
Local Government plays a vital role in the planning and delivery of sport and physical activity opportunities. In fact, Local Authorities in Scotland have a statutory obligation to ensure ‘the adequate provision of facilities for recreational and sporting activities’ as set out in the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982.
In recognition of the contribution that Local Government makes to enabling people to be physically active, COSLA has worked alongside the Scottish Government to develop the Physical Activity for Health National Framework.
The Framework was developed with system partners and aims to empower action across eight strategic delivery sub-systems:
- Active Systems
- Active Places of Learning
- Active Travel
- Active Places and Spaces
- Active Health and Social Care
- Active Communications
- Sport and Recreation
- Active Workplaces
Each of the outcomes are relevant and important to Local Government; all are delivered or commissioned at a local level by councils and their community planning partners and all will support improved outcomes in relation to the health and wellbeing of people in Scotland through increasing levels of physical activity.
To support the implementation of the framework, and explore wider opportunities to improve community wellbeing through sport and physical activity, COSLA has established a Sport and Physical Activity Special Interest Group (SIG). You can read more about the SIG and keep updated on its meetings below.
See below for regular updates and releases from across Local Government and its partners in relation to sport and physical activity:
COSLA Excellence Awards are back for 2025
New life brought to Castlemilk sports facility
King Charles launches the King's baton relay ahead of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Edinburgh Leisure’s Impact Report for 2024–25
Become a volunteer at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
The purpose of the Sport and Physical Activity Special Interest Group (SIG) is to:
- Act as an internal reference group on sport and physical activity policies and all other issues stemming from this;
- Obtain specialist views on national policy issues to inform relevant COSLA political positions;
- Inform COSLA’s political engagement with the Scottish and UK Governments on related issues.
- Taking a thematic approach the SIG brings together leaders from across 15 councils, sportscotland, Public Health Scotland and the NHS to consider how collective action can be taken to improve data availability, access to facilities, opportunities and investment, and leverage major events and communications across the sector.
Agendas and minutes from each of the SIG’s meetings can be found below:
As part of its commitment to promote the role of Local Government within the sport, leisure and physical activity sector, COSLA is publishing a series of case studies from within local authorities to showcase the range of innovative work happening across Scotland.
Through these case studies, we aim to demonstrate the value the sector provides across priority areas including health, transport, employment and community wellbeing, as well as encourage shared thinking on ways to overcome the pressures facing sport, leisure and physical activity services in local communities.
Case studies will be published below as they are developed:
July 2025 - North Lanarkshire - Care home virtual exercise classes
To support COSLA's Manifesto a series of White Papers will be published to explore policy challenges in more depth and propose solutions.
The Future of Public Leisure and Sport - A National Investment in Wellbeing
Summary
Scotland stands at a pivotal moment where shifting from crisis response to long‑term prevention is essential. COSLA’s new paper, The Future of Public Leisure and Sport - A National Investment in Wellbeing, sets out a compelling national case for prioritising public leisure, sport and everyday physical activity as core pillars of Scotland’s health, economic resilience and community wellbeing.
The document highlights that physical activity is one of Scotland’s most universal and cost‑effective preventative assets—reducing pressure on the NHS and social care, improving mental health, strengthening educational attainment, supporting employability, and building more cohesive, greener communities. Local government, which owns and delivers most of Scotland’s leisure and sport infrastructure, is uniquely positioned to lead this preventative shift.
To realise these benefits, COSLA outlines five national priorities:
- Increased, multi‑year flexible funding for local government to stabilise essential services.
- Driving inclusion, participation and workforce development to reach those least active.
- Investment in infrastructure and modernisation, including public and open spaces.
- Modernisation of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 to reflect the modern role of leisure and sport.
- Strengthened national leadership, governance and data to enable evidence‑led decision‑making.
Together, these actions form a clear roadmap for building a healthier, more active and resilient Scotland.
COSLA is grateful for the support of partners who contributed case studies to support the white paper. Each case study is available to read below in full :
