The Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations met to discuss the Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030, and to hear a presentation on PlayZones as part of the Merton Borough of Sport initiative. The committee also agreed on the minutes from the previous meeting.

Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030

The committee discussed the Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030, a document outlining the shared health and wellbeing priorities for the next five years. The strategy was co-produced by organisations represented on the Health and Wellbeing Board and their partners, and it considers various sources of information, including The Merton Story, good practices from other areas, insights from local residents and communities, and local and national organisations' priorities.

The strategy identifies five key priorities for Merton from 2025-2030:

1. Start Strong: Recognising the crucial role of early years and childhood.
2. Focus on Prevention: Investing in proactive measures at every stage of life.
3. Strong Communities: Creating connected neighbourhoods that thrive together.
4. Healthy Places: Creating sustainable environments and resilient communities.
5. Joined-up Services: Striving to deliver one-stop, holistic services at the right time and place.

The strategy aims to address the underlying causes of poor health by applying the Marmot principles¹, recognising that the main influences on health are social, economic and environmental factors. It also emphasises the importance of community-centred approaches, transparent communication, evidence-based decision-making, and system-wide alignment.

The strategy includes a detailed plan for each priority, outlining the desired outcomes, year 1 actions, and considerations for years 2-5. It also establishes a look-back and look-forward process to evaluate progress and adapt to changing needs.

PlayZones, Merton Borough of Sport

The committee received a presentation on PlayZones as part of the Merton Borough of Sport initiative. PlayZones are described as multi-sport facilities designed to be accessible to the entire community, offering activities such as basketball, netball, cricket, and football. These zones will feature smart access systems, floodlights, and incorporate recycled, sustainable materials. The aim is to generate a surplus through a combination of free and low-cost access options.

The presentation highlighted that a community consultation in May 2024 indicated a strong interest in new PlayZone facilities, with respondents noting a lack of positive sports and youth activities in their localities.

The council has prioritised four main groups to benefit from the PlayZones:

• Lower socio-economic groups
• Women and girls
• Disabled people and people with long term health conditions
• Ethnically diverse communities

The presentation identified several potential locations for PlayZones:

• Joseph Hood Recreation Ground
• Pollards Hill Youth Centre
• Pollards Hill Recreation Ground
• The Sherwood School
• Canons Leisure Centre (2026)

The PlayZones project has already secured significant investment, including £376,793.83 from the Borough of Sport and £1,080,214.68 from the Football Foundation².

The presentation also highlighted the success of a pilot programme aimed at introducing Muslim women to golf, with positive feedback from participants. One participant is quoted as saying:

'I really appreciate the time, efforts and all the obstacles/headaches you had to cross to achieve this. It was very well organised and refreshing to see such an experience was catered for Muslim ladies'

Previous Minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting on 17 June 2025 were agreed.