The Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss a number of issues including safeguarding at the Eclipse Leisure Centre, a grant application from Spelthorne Museum, and the continuation of the Group Training Licences in Parks Policy. The committee will also note urgent actions taken by the Chief Executive, and consider the forward plan for future committee business.

Eclipse Leisure Centre Safeguarding

The committee will be asked to consider the safeguarding policies and procedures at Eclipse Leisure Centre. This follows concerns raised by councillors that the teaching pool and children's splash pad viewing areas are accessible to the public without passing through a security gate, which they believe could pose a safeguarding risk.

The report pack includes several appendices relating to safeguarding, including:

• Places Leisure's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Places Leisure's Safeguarding Adults Policy
• Places Leisure's DBS ¹ Policy
• Places Leisure's Reporting Process 2024
• Places Leisure's Photography Policy

The committee will consider whether the existing safeguarding measures are sufficient, or whether additional physical security controls are needed.

Options to be considered include:

• Option 1: Do nothing, recognising that Places Leisure has comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
• Option 2: Install access restrictions on the ground floor viewing area, such as a swipe access card for people with swimming bookings.
• Option 3: Reconfigure the main entrance to utilise the existing fire escape door within the café area as the main entrance, and install a new turnstile/gate to access the upper level of the building and the teaching pool viewing area. This option is estimated to cost in excess of £500,000.

The committee will also discuss a separate concern raised about street homeless people being referred to Places Leisure for showers. They will consider whether to:

• Option 4: Do not vary the Places Leisure contract, allowing street homeless housing clients to continue to be referred for showers.
• Option 5: Amend the Places Leisure contract to remove the requirement for the leisure centre to provide access to showers for street homeless customers.

Spelthorne Museum Grant Application

The committee will consider a recommendation from the Grants Panel to award £588 to Spelthorne Museum. The museum requires the funding to cover the cost of listed building consent to move the London Stone from the old library to the new library, cultural and community hub in Staines-upon-Thames.

The report pack notes that:

In 1285, the London Stone, was erected to mark the western limit of the City of London's jurisdiction over the Thames and it originally stood upstream from Staines Upon Thames Town Centre. This original stone has been displayed in the museum, for many years, although a replica stone and information is situated behind the Old Town Hall in Memorial Gardens.

The committee will consider whether to recommend that the council approves the grant award.

Group Training Licences in Parks Policy

The committee will be asked to approve the continuation of the Group Training Licences in Parks Policy and review the fees and charges annually.

The report pack states that:

The Council needs to ensure that there is a robust procedure in place to support the use of parks for outdoor recreation, ensuring suitable checks are in place, as well as offering the use at an affordable price. By encouraging applications and issuing licences, the risk to the Council is reduced and safeguards residents.

The committee will consider the advantages and disadvantages of the following options:

• Option 1: Continue with the policy and associated fees.
• Option 2: Encourage applications but apply no fee.
• Option 3: Do not allow fitness training in parks.
• Option 4: Continue with the policy and increase fees.

Currently, Impact Athletics Club have an annual licence to operate in Cedars Recreation Ground until mid-October 2025, and Train Fresh operate in Laleham Park until the end of the financial year.

Urgent Actions

The committee will note two urgent actions that have been taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair since the last meeting:

• Fordbridge Community Centre Alterations
• Meals on Wheels

Fordbridge Community Centre Alterations

The report pack includes a document relating to the urgent action to approve alterations to Fordbridge Community Centre.

The report pack states that:

Your Fund Surrey have requested that funds need to be released as soon as possible from their allocated Councillor funds, in order for them to focus on the next grants round. A decision at the end of September 2025 could potentially lead to additional workload and complications for the Your Fund Surrey team.

The urgent action was required to trigger a letter of intent from Spelthorne Borough Council to give permission for the works to commence on council property, and an undertaking not to evict 'Friends of Fordbridge' for 5 years after the grant is awarded. The approximate value of the works is £42,000 plus VAT.

Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Referrals

The committee will receive a report on drug, alcohol and gambling referrals. No further information is provided in the agenda.

Forward Plan

The committee will consider the forward plan for future committee business.