Primary students enrolled in Government's after school programme will have to complete three hours of fitness a week.

Minister of Environment and Sports, Glenn Blakeney, announced the move in the Budget debate on Youth, Sport and Recreation. The activity aims to cut down obesity among the younger generation, and was welcomed by Shadow Minister for Youth and National Training, Charlie Swan. At a cost of $1.3 million, Government runs its after school programme in 11 public primary schools and for special needs children.

Announcing the addition of a weekly three hours physical education, Mr. Blakeney said: "The after school programme will expose children to a wide range of sporting pursuits."

"I think it's an excellent idea," said Mr. Swan.

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation will create a youth policy based on 40 principles developed by a non-profit organisation in the US, the Search Institute. The principles are said to "help young children grow up healthy, caring, and responsible". Up to $260,000 will be set aside for training.

Mr. Blakeney told the House of Assembly: "We speak to building up a quality of strength and 40 developmental assets.

"An asset training team will go out to the community and spread the message to PTAs, faith-based groups, other governmental departments, private organisations and members of the public."

The Minister also announced the creation of a national youth, sport and recreation framework (SRF), based on policies in Canada, Australia, the UK, the Caribbean and the European Union. "As with our youth policy, the department will utilise the SRF document to give guidance for strategic plans for sport development, for both short and long-term goals," he said.

"The framework will be produced entirely within house. Our team of talented Bermudian staff have undertaken to commit to produce this valuable document at no increase to the budget."

The administration budget for the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation will remain the same as last year, at $1.4 million. Funding for sports programmes is down by 24 percent from $4,145,000 to $3,145,000.

Savings of $457,000 in salaries and $1.7m in grants and contributions are anticipated for the coming year.

Mr. Swan said: "I would like to commend the Minister on his ability to shave $1 million from the budget. This is one of the few ministers that have been able to heed the call from the Minister of Finance of cutting their budget, and that's to be commended.

"However because I speak to youth, sport and recreation, $1 million of that saving is applied to sport development and sports programmes.

"This Government has made a lot of effort in trying to develop our youth and in encouraging our youth, and it seems to be a bit of a travesty that this is the only department where we can find cuts."

Mr. Blakeney said: "No programmes have been cut. Of course something has been cut but it's not been resources of funding, it's creative ingenuity. We are realigning with the funds that we have."

The Minister also announced the department is to undertake a review of the Island's sports facilities and will draw up an action plan for improvements with the Ministry of Works and Engineering. The Minister said recommendations have also been submitted to Cabinet for a national anti-doping agency.

"We were able to provide the requirement funding for the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports. This agency is under the control of the World Anti-Doping Agency," he said.

Mr. Blakeney also discussed the budget for the Ministry of Environment and Sports headquarters. The administration budget has increased by five percent or $45,000 to $908,000 for 2010/11.

Of this amount, $627,000 has been allocated to salaries a rise of 37 percent or $170,000.

Fees for overseas consultants have dropped by 32 percent or $101,000, to $214,000.

"These inspectors are usually available to us on a monthly or every other month basis, to assist appeals which come to the Ministry with regard to the refusals by the Development Applications Board," said Mr. Blakeney.

Among the Ministry's goals for the coming year is the creation of recreational and community space in urban areas. The 'parklette' scheme was first announced last month in The Royal Gazette, by Sustainable Development Unit Director Charles Brown.

Mr. Blakeney said: "The Ministry will continue to pursue the acquisition of development lots in dense areas with a view to establishing small parks.

"The Ministry will give due assistance to any owner wanting to sell a vacant lot in an area of high density population. The broad aim of the programme is to prepare, design and implement environmental improvement plans for Bermuda's high density neighbourhoods, in association with community leaders. We will be able to fund such projects as deemed necessary."