Minutes of the Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee
30 September 2025
Present:
Councillor M.M. Attewell (Vice-Chair)
Councillors:
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M. Arnold C. Bateson |
M. Bing Dong M. Buck
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K.M. Grant
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Substitutions: |
Councillors T. Burrell S. Gyawali |
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Apologies: |
Councillors S.M. Doran, J.R. Boughtflower and S.A. Dunn |
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34/25 |
Minutes
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The minutes of the meeting held 03 June were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.
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35/25 |
Disclosures of Interest
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There were none.
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36/25 |
Questions from members of the Public
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There were none.
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37/25 |
Review of Training in Parks
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Committee considered a report that sought approval for the continuation of the Group Training Licences in Parks Policy that was adopted last autumn when it was agreed to review it annually. When this was originally approved at the Committee it was agreed that this was never to be just a money making policy but one that would encourage residents to take part in fitness classes.
The Committee were advised that there were currently only two groups that applied for and still held a licence; both of these licences were for only one park. When applying for a licence the groups would need to have shown proof of liability insurance and qualifications held relevant to providing fitness training.
Committee resolved to approve the continuation of the Group Training Licences in Parks Policy and review the fees and charges annually in line with all Council fees and charges.
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38/25 |
Additional Annual Grant Application 2025/26
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The Committee was advised that there was currently an underspend of £5985.00 in the Annual Grant Funding budget that was ring fenced for projects that arose later in the financial year.
The Spelthorne Museum was moving from its current location in the old Library to the new Library. Listed building consent was needed to facilitate removal of the London Stone from one location to the other. This would be at a cost of £588.00 so approval had been sought from the Grant Panel for this amount to be awarded to the Spelthorne Museum. The Grants Panel had recommended that the Council approves the award in the sum of £588.00 from the underspend in the Annual Grant Funding 2025/26.
The Committee expressed their gratitude for the volunteers that currently worked in the Museum.
Committee resolved to:
1. Note the recommendation of the Grants Panel in relation to Spelthorne Museum; and
2. Recommend to Council that it approves the award of £588 to the Spelthorne Museum.
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39/25 |
Eclipse Leisure Centre Safeguarding Follow-up
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The Community Development Manager advised the Committee that concerns had been raised by committee members at the last meeting around the teaching pool viewing area.
Work was undertaken to review all the safeguarding procedures that Places Leisure currently had in place. Officers were satisfied that the procedures complied with safeguarding legislation and good practice. It was noted that a number of Leisure Centres throughout Surrey had public viewing areas that allowed sight of the teaching pools and that within the Eclipse Leisure Centre the viewing areas allowed sight of both the teaching pool.
The Committee were advised that under the current operator contract, Places Leisure should allow free access to the showers within the Leisure Centre for those rough sleepers that were referred by the Housing Team. The Group Head Community and Wellbeing advised that only 2 people had been referred in the last year.
Committee resolved to:
1. Recognize that Places Leisure have comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures in place to keep children and adults at risk safe. Further physical access restrictions are not required. The policies and procedures will be kept under periodic review; and
2. Not to vary the Places Leisure contract so that street homeless housing clients can continue to be referred by Council Housing Team to the Leisure Centre for a shower.
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40/25 |
Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Referrals
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The Independent Living Strategic Lead (ILSL) gave the Committee a short update on the Council’s response to drug, alcohol and gambling issues within the Borough following a request from Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.
The ILSL advised the Committee that the current two tier model of governance, borough/district Councils and Surrey County Council (SCC), meant that a lot of the work around drug, alcohol and gambling issues sat with SCC under their public health remit. However, monthly meetings were held with the Public Health Team to drive forward joint initiatives under the Healthy Communities Partnership Board. This Board then reports back to the Healthy Communities Partnership Board on a quarterly basis.
The Borough council has responsibility for licencing within the Borough and receive regular advice from ‘Gam Care’.
Joint initiatives and action plans are used to ensure a joined up, cohesive way of working to enable both the Council and SCC provide the best response to gambling, drug and alcohol issues.
The Committee resolved to note the update.
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Urgent Actions
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The Independent Living Strategic Lead (ILSL) advised the Committee that only one urgent action needed to be reported back to the Committee, which was the Fordbridge Community Centre alterations.
The Committee were advised that Councillor Sexton, in her role as a Surrey County Councillor, had obtained funding from Surrey County Council for alterations to be made to the Fordbridge Community Centre to improve the flexible use of the space. The Leader had a very tight deadline to apply for this funding so agreement for this project had to be made under delegated authority.
The work was nearing completion and has helped create a better flow around the centre for the residents attending and has allowed staff to use the space in a more flexible manner.
The ILSL advised the Committee that a report would need to be brought to this Committee in respect of the Meals on Wheels service provided by the Council. The procurement for both the vans and meals were initially combined as one company provided both. Subsequently, it was decided that these elements needed to be split and two separate contracts would be needed; work on this has been commenced.
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42/25 |
Forward Plan
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The Deputy Chief Executive advised the Committee that, as a result of the Improvement and Recovery Plan (IRP), the Service Plan for this Committee had been pushed back to the January committee cycle and would be presented to the Committee on the meeting to be held on 13 January 2026.
The Committee resolved to approve the Forward Plan.
AOB: The Vice-Chair, Councillor Attewell expressed her disappointment that neither the Chair nor the Vice-Chair of this Committee had been involved in the IRP and asked that this was minuted.
The Vice-Chair asked that it be noted that the official opening of the Eclipse Leisure Centre, that took place that afternoon, had been a great success and she wanted to thank Kamal and Lisa for all their hard work in creating a first class organised event.