Active Stirling is an Arm’s Length External Organisation (ALEO) set up to deliver and manage sport, physical activity and facilities and outreach services within Stirling’s boundaries. This includes the operation of the PEAK, at Stirling Sports Village, where the National Curling Academy is based. This opened in August 2017 in the run-up to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang to provide a world class dedicated curling facility where British athletes could train.

The PEAK sits alongside the Forthbank Stadium, home of Stirling Albion FC, which is also operated by Active Stirling.

The Council also supports the operation of facilities at McLaren Leisure Centre, operated by a non-profit in Callander, and a range of community sport activities supported by Active Stirling, including the Active Schools programme.

In early 2024, the Council and Active Stirling were both facing mounting financial pressures. The Council identified a need for a comprehensive, independent review of current service delivery by and with Active Stirling. The review, undertaken with the cooperation of the Board of Active Stirling, aimed to create a more sustainable service delivery model.

SLC completed a detailed review of governance arrangements, strategic alignment, operational performance, partnerships, asset management and investment opportunities. This was through a combination of consultation, strategic review of documentation and performance information.

SLC produced a detailed report of recommendations which was presented to the Council and Active Stirling for consideration. The Council approved a range of recommendations from SLC’s report for taking forward with Active Stirling and wider stakeholders.

SLC has been recommissioned to support future workstreams in 2024/5.

TESTIMONIAL

There was a complicated history to the review we commissioned, and SLC took time to understand that history. They accommodated it where it was relevant and challenged us when we needed to let go of ideas or notions that didn’t provide the best outcomes for our communities. It was a refreshing experience and one that effectively took officers, our partners, and our elected members on a journey to more informed decision-making. SLC continue to provide critical friendship as we develop our plans, always able to cut through our thorny issues with direct but enabling challenges to our thinking.

Kate Hudson, Head of People and Community Wellbeing

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