Dear Jan Cosgrove,

Thank you for your enquiry. We herewith supply answers to your questions, although we have had some difficulty in understanding the precise details you required. We apologize for the delay in responding to your enquiry.

Ceredigion County Council supplies Leisure Services to the population as a whole including the under-16s. Details of the Council's Leisure Services may be found here : http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6677

This does not include however, items such as playgrounds, provided for the enjoyment of children, nor does it include other places of recreation enjoyed by children and adults alike such as libraries, museums and archives. Neither does it include the County's Play Officers, nor its Youth Workers, nor `Flying Start', nor Theatre Felinfach, which specializes in youth theatre through the medium of Welsh.

Theatr Felinfach, in response to your enquiry:

In terms of the general enquiry it depends on one's definition of "play provision".... we do, for example, run drama clubs that happen after school, but they're not provided as an "after school club". We don't regard the theatre as a recreation facility but an educational one that happens to be fun.

"Theatr Felin-fach's aim is to provide diverse educational opportunities to the residents of Ceredigion and West Wales through the medium of the performing arts in particular drama, theatre and dance. The centre aims to reach this objective by providing opportunities to participate by operating an open door policy. The theatre develops schemes for young people and volunteers that offer specific opportunities for young people, disadvantaged groups and learners of Welsh of all ages. The theatre also can offer advice and support to new ventures. Theatr Felin-fach produces its programme of events at the beginning of each season, the programmes are available from the Box Office and from designated centres throughout the county. For further information visit our website: www.theatrfelinfach.com

To turn to your specific questions :

What was the total expenditure of the Council on leisure and

recreation in 2007/08?

The amount spent by the Council on Recreation and Sport in 2007/08 was £2,612,560. 

What was the total expenditure on children's play services and

facilities in the same year for those aged under 16 years?

I was not sure what figure to provide here because of the diverse nature of the services involved. We will, of course, attempt to provide you with detail as you request. Some of the Young People's provision in this county does not stop at age 16 which may make it impossible to provide exact statistics for the under-16s only. Were you thinking of Leisure Services ( this includes Leisure centres, Swimming Pools and County Sports Provision ) ; the playgrounds and paddling pools in the county, where provided by the County Council ( Community Councils may also have responsibility for these ); the project workers who improve language and numeracy skills in Welsh & English through play ; the Youth Theatre ; the Youth Service ( for 11-25 year olds)or the Children's Library Service ( up to 18 years of age) or other services ?

What amount of this came from either Big Lottery and/or

Assembly/Central Government funding?

I can confirm that no funding of this type was received by the Library, Museum or Archives, or the Theatre Service in the year 2007- 2008 for children's play services or facilities. Our Recreation Manager informs me that Leisure Services receive monies through the Sports Council, which comes from Welsh Assembly, sometimes partially from Lottery Funding.I will need to make further enquiries for other sections of the Council if you need further details.

What was the estimated population of the authority area in the same

year?

From the mid year estimates 2007, the total population of Ceredigion was[Author ID1: at Mon Jun 22 14:03:00 2009 ] 77,800[Author ID1: at Mon Jun 22 14:03:00 2009 ] [Author ID1: at Mon Jun 22 14:03:00 2009 ][Author ID1: at Mon Jun 22 14:03:00 2009 ]

What was the total estimated population aged under 16 years in the

same year?

The population 0-15 yrs old was 12,000. This is to the nearest[Author ID0: at ]

100 and the source is the 'Population Estimates Unit, ONS: Crown Copyright[Author ID0: at ]

2008'.[Author ID1: at Mon Jun 22 14:03:00 2009 ]

If available, what proportion of use of leisure centres and

recreation facilities was by children aged under 16 years in the

same period?

Leisure Centres are used extensively by children in Ceredigion, but I understand that statistically they are not distinguished from adult users.

If appropriate, what was the % use of Libraries run by the

authority by children aged under 16 in the same period?

The County Librarian has supplied figures to show that use by the under 18s was 18.5% of the total usage. I am afraid we do not keep individual details for the under 16 age-group.

If appropriate, in the years from its introduction what has been

the expenditure by the authority under Section 508 of the Education

Act 1996, and what proportion went to voluntary agencies?

Ceredigion purchases some services for leisure and recreational use - such as use of some non-Council swimming pools in the county. We are able to provide figures for the amount spent on these transactions in the past 13 years, but not on the % of under-16 users.

Please contact me again if you would like further details or clarification of any points raised above.

Helen Palmer

County Archivist