The Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee met to discuss leisure services in the borough and to consider their work plan for the coming year. Councillors agreed to explore health inequalities and accessibility issues related to leisure services, and to provide feedback on the options appraisal being conducted for the Vision contract¹.

Leisure Services Presentation

Jess Cannon-Mettiman, the new head of leisure and culture for the council, gave a presentation to the committee about leisure services in Redbridge. She outlined her initial fact-finding, including identifying service needs and gaps, and addressing concerns raised about capital programme updates. She noted that updates are now available on the council website.

Ms Cannon-Mettiman highlighted several key work strands:

• Contract management with Vision: This includes inspections, performance reviews, and financial oversight.
• Community, leisure, culture, and sports development: This involves working with community groups and clubs, and developing policies to support them.
• Capital development team client: This includes projects such as improvements to the Redbridge Cycling Centre, Fairlop Waters, and public conveniences.
• Future strategy for leisure and culture: This involves directing policy initiatives and positions.
• Future management arrangements: The council is considering options for the future management of leisure services, as the current contract with Vision is being extended for a one-year plus one-year period.

Ms Cannon-Mettiman also mentioned the importance of understanding the needs of the community and ensuring that facilities are accessible to all residents. She noted that a built facility strategy and a playing pitch strategy would be commissioned to assess the current and future needs of the population.

Councillor Anne Marie Sachs asked whether the council would get the same deal during the extension period with Vision as it had during the main contract period.

Councillor Guy Williams raised the possibility of generating income by installing advertising at council-owned sports facilities such as Ashton's Playing Fields.

Councillor Muhammed Javed raised concerns about affordability and accessibility of leisure services in the south of the borough, particularly in areas such as Clementswood, Loxford, and Mayfield. He noted that membership at the all-female gym in Albert Road was not great, and that some residents found the cost of membership to be too high.

Councillor Namreen B. Chaudhry, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Communities, acknowledged the disparity in leisure pass uptake between the north and south of the borough, and suggested that the PDC could explore the reasons for this.

The committee agreed to focus on health inequalities and accessibility issues related to leisure services. They also agreed to receive a presentation from Vision on current accessibility, and to hold a workshop to discuss the options appraisal for the Vision contract.

Homes and Neighbourhoods PDC Work Plan 2025/2026

The committee considered the Homes and Neighbourhoods PDC Work Plan 2025/2026, which outlines the topics and activities for the committee in the coming year. The plan includes workshops and meetings to discuss housing needs complaints and to select themes for the remainder of the municipal year. The work plan lists the next meeting as being scheduled for 6 January 2026.

Update from Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The committee received a verbal update from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Jarvis noted her disappointment that a suggestion from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to involve members in the organisation and other matters within the council had not been taken up.

Other Business

Councillor Muhammed Javed asked the Cabinet to undertake a review of housing allocation policies.