The Economy, Arts, Sports, and Public Realm Policy and Accountability Committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Wednesday 19 November 2025 to discuss a new Active Wellbeing Strategy and a significant investment in the borough's playgrounds. The meeting also included an update on highway roadworks management and coordination, and developments in waste and recycling services.

Active Wellbeing Strategy

The committee was scheduled to review the background and initial Action Plan for the Active Wellbeing Strategy. This strategy aims to adopt a holistic approach to physical activity and wellbeing, recognising the importance of movement, connection, and community engagement in improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities. It supersedes the previous Sport & Physical Activity Strategy and aligns with national policy. The strategy is structured around three themes: Active People, Active Communities, and Active Environment. The Year 1 Action Plan focuses on building the capacity of the Active Wellbeing Partnership, strengthening the evidence base, and developing governance. Key areas of focus include removing barriers to participation for disabled residents, providing programmes for older people, and creating safe spaces for women and girls. The strategy also aims to integrate active wellbeing into local health and care pathways and improve parks and recreational spaces to encourage active lifestyles.

Play Transformation Programme 2025-28

A significant £8.3 million investment in the Play Transformation Programme for 2025-28 was scheduled for discussion. This programme aims to revitalise and enhance play experiences across the borough's parks, open spaces, and housing sites. The report outlined the current condition of Hammersmith and Fulham's playgrounds, with an independent evaluation showing that many sites scored below the highest possible marks. The investment will target playgrounds that require the most improvement, with a focus on creating exemplar play areas. The programme also includes plans to establish a Play Forum to guide the management and improvement of playgrounds and explore broader play initiatives. Ravenscourt Park has been identified as the proposed location for the borough's flagship exemplar play site, with potential for two further exemplar playgrounds subject to funding. The programme also extends to housing playgrounds, with plans for improvements in areas like the White City estate.

Highway Roadworks Management and Co-ordination

The committee was set to receive an update on how roadworks are managed and coordinated in the borough, including the proposed enhancements to the London Permit Scheme, known as the Lane Rental Scheme. This scheme aims to provide additional protection for key roads within the borough. The report detailed the benefits of the Lane Rental Scheme, such as reducing roadworks on busy roads, utilities contributing to highway maintenance, and improving air quality and bus journey times. Discussions were expected to cover the discretion utilities would have, the consultation timing, the impact of Hammersmith Bridge's closure on congestion, and the number of other boroughs that have introduced a Lane Rental Charge.

Update on Waste and Recycling Service Developments

An update was scheduled on the progress of Hammersmith and Fulham's waste and recycling services. This included the roll-out of food waste recycling, the introduction of wheeled bins, and garden waste recycling. The report highlighted the borough's performance in waste minimisation and recycling compared to other London boroughs, the benefits of the new services, and community engagement efforts. Performance metrics, including an increase in the household recycling rate, were to be presented. The discussion was expected to cover issues such as bins not being returned to properties, the cost of the garden waste collection service, and the calculation of social value. The committee was also to be updated on the Veolia contract and the target for providing food waste recycling services to all residents by March 2026.

Report on the Draft Markets and Street Trading Licensing Policy 2025-2030 and Updated Prescribed Standard Conditions for Street Trading Licences

The committee was scheduled to review a report detailing a new Markets and Street Trading Licensing Policy for 2025-2030, along with updated prescribed standard conditions for street trading licences. The policy aims to attract and retain new traders, address economic challenges, demonstrate the wider value of markets, professionalise market management, and improve relationships with traders. Key updates to standard conditions and the commodities list were to be presented. The discussion was expected to cover shop front licences, the declaration of market rights, designating the whole borough for regulated street trading, and the enforcement policy. The report also included consultation proposals and a revised timetable for formal adoption.