Decision details

(i)  To approve the City Council entering into a new 8-year partnership with British Cycling and to contribute £50,000 per annum for the duration of the partnership to British Cycling towards services and projects delivered by the new partnership.

(ii)  To note that a contribution of £400,000 by the City Council over the lifespan of the agreement will secure a partnership that enables the delivery of the HSBC-UK City Ride mass participation event/s and associated programmes including guided rides, ‘Go-Ride’ youth coaching, talent development and competitive racing provided by British Cycling and HSBC-UK. It will also attract an additional ring-fenced contribution of capital investment from British Cycling towards dedicated cycling facilities in the city.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Service Director for Growth following consultation with the Service Director: Legal & Governance to enter into a partnership with British Cycling. 

1.  Southampton’s established partnership with British Cycling over the past 7 years has proved a high profile method to raise the mainstream profile of cycling and get more people riding for sport, recreation, leisure, commuting, and social trips. The City Council aims to significantly increase levels of everyday cycling in the city, as set out in its 10-year Cycling Strategy 2017-2027.

2.  The continued success of these projects can make a substantial contribution to the Council’s priorities. Encouraging cycling and active transport can facilitate improvements in health, both for those participating, and also in broader air quality measures. Regular activities, including high profile events, promote civic pride and reflect the aspirations of a modern city.

Other providers of mass participation cycling were considered. No organisation could match the high profile, match-funding or mainstream media partnership established by British Cycling with HSBC-UK. The British Cycling Partnership offer is unique in the market place. Sport England commission British Cycling to deliver cycling participation outcomes as part of their investment into getting more people active more often. They are the only Cycle Sport’s National Governing Body to receive Sport England and UK Sport Lottery funding which enables them to provide revenue match funding for Local Government partners. Alongside the public funding they have a number of commercial partners and sponsors like HSBC UK, which enable them to provide a considerable amount of in kind expertise and support. Encouraging high levels of mainstream cycling is part of the city-wide Cycling Strategy and a critical objective of the Local Transport Plan 4, Clean Air Strategy and Health and Wellbeing Strategy to promote active travel. The City Council could not achieve the same level of profile to promote cycling through the methods outlined in the partnership agreement from its own resources and expertise or an alternative provider.