Staffordshire Moorlands District Council achieves impressive Quest result

 

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has achieved a score of 78% in its recent Quest assessment placing it in the ‘highly commended’ category. The score represents an 11% improvement from SMDC’s initial assessment in 2005. The result demonstrates SMDC’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s sports development service has scooped a ‘highly commended’ rating after being reassessed for Quest accreditation – the national standard in continuous improvement for sports and leisure services providers. The service scored 78 per cent – an 11 per cent improvement on the last assessment in 2005.

The two-day assessment at the end of last year covered areas including strategy, management, delivery, health and safety and partnership working. An examiner scrutinised paperwork and interviewed staff and representatives from partner organisations the council works with to develop district sporting opportunities.

Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “The sports development service is a small team that does a huge job in promoting sports in schools, developing partnerships with clubs to give sporting opportunities from the grass roots level upwards, and supports individuals, coaches, volunteers and teams. The work it does in partnership with other organisations is also bringing about a co-ordinated approach to sports development across the county.

This result is excellent recognition of the team’s continued hard work. The award is nationally recognised and to have improved so much on an already good score is tremendous.”

Pictured above: (left to right): Ben Davenport, Graham Clarke, Ian Smith, Tony Wheat, Andrew Stokes

SMDC Sports development officer Tony Wheat said: “We have a breakdown of the Quest assessment, including areas of strength and areas for improvement. We can now use these recommendations, in conjunction with our new sports strategy which will be launched this year, to ensure we are delivering the kind of sport and physical exercise opportunities district residents want. This includes both competitive sport and also active, non-competitive sport such as walking, cycling and swimming.”

For more information contact:
Tony Wheat
Sports Development Officer
Tel: 01538 483731   
Email: anthony.wheat@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk