Leisure Trusts are using great innovation and effort to overcome challenges, build social cohesion and tackle inactivity across communities.

Those were the words of Simon Kirby MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary, speaking on behalf of the Rt. Hon. Maria Miller MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport at sporta's second Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.

The event, sponsored by Jim Fitzpatrick MP, took place at the beginning of May on the same day as the State Opening of Parliament. It aimed to raise awareness of trusts and their distinctive character and capabilities, highlighting the way in which they can help support public policy needs.

MPs who have sporta trusts in or near their constituencies were among the attendees, along with many Peers who take an interest in community sport and leisure. These included Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Brandon Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, RT Hon Sir Alan Beith MP and former Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP.

Simon Kirby MP, said he didn't need any persuading of the importance of the work of sporta's members, whose interests extend across much of the DCMS's portfolio. "Your opinions are very important to the Government," he said. "The Government recognises there are a variety of pressures and economic challenges which face all sporta members and demand great innovation and effort to overcome. The economic climate and squeeze on resources is making it necessary for all of us to do more with less. From what I have heard today you are meeting these challenges head on and I applaud your continued work in building social cohesion and tackling inactivity across all our communities."

During the event, Craig McAteer, Chair of sporta for the last six years and retired CEO of Link4Life in Rochdale, gave a parting speech that reviewed the progress trusts had made in recent years and the challenges they now faced. McAteer will be replaced by former sporta Vice Chair Peter Gunn, CEO of BH Live in Bournemouth.

Gunn then addressed attendees, saying: "This event celebrates the role of trusts in local sports, wellbeing and social inclusion. We are charitable and have only public objectives. We are established for public benefit but this does not mean we cannot act commercially; it is just that the outcomes we are seeking benefit our communities rather share holders. We re-invest our surpluses – often to maintain assets that would otherwise close, or we invest in services that may otherwise be cut."

Gunn said he was grateful for the national recognition sporta has gained, but highlighted some of the important issues facing trusts, including reductions in subsidies, the new business rate retention measures, and the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC). He asked that local government take a strategic approach when commissioning services for their communities and look at how the social enterprise model can provide a high-value option and an innovative partnership.

Finally Gunn launched sporta's Parliamentary Friends Group, enabling MPs and Peers to register their interest in the work of sporta trusts. The Group will keep interested MPs and Peers of all parties informed about the work of sporta trusts and developments in community leisure and culture.

During sporta's AGM the following day, two Vice Chairs were appointed – Ewan Jackson, CEO of Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, and Phil Rumbelow, CEO of Jubilee Hall Trust. Andrew Bain, CEO of Active Sirling and Chair of sporta Scotland, was appointed to the sporta Executive Board as a new Scottish representative. After seven years, Mark Crutchley, CEO of Circadian Trust, stood down as the Executive Board member representing the South West and Wales, to be replaced by Juliette Dickinson, CEO of Tone Leisure.

Photograph: Simon Kirby MP addresses the sporta Parliamentary event