Issue - meetings

To consider adoption of the Spelthorne Leisure and Culture Strategy 2025-2035.

The Committee received a report from the Strategic Lead, Leisure on the  Spelthorne Leisure and Culture Strategy for 2025-2035. The strategy emphasised the importance of leisure and culture in improving community health and wellbeing, and the need for a strategic approach to secure external funding and support the council's corporate priorities. The strategy aimed to encourage leisure and cultural activities, advance a positive environment, enhance social cohesion, and address climate change.

During the discussion, the Committee highlighted the positive feedback from the Ashford Youth Club regarding the Youth Survey and noted feedback received on addressing transport and climate change issues, particularly in more deprived areas like Stanwell. The Strategic Lead, Leisure responded that the strategy set out intentions to collaborate with partners to address issues, though it did not provide specific solutions. One example of partner collaboration was the promotion of community outreach with the new leisure centre operator and through social prescribing. A more detailed delivery plan would be developed to address issues more directly.

The Committee questioned whether it was the right timing to initiate a new strategy in light of local government reorganisation plans and also queried the appropriateness of references in the report to Spelthorne’s relative deprivation levels. It was clarified that having a robust strategy will focus service delivery and will also provide the evidence base to draw in external funding. In addition, the strategy was informed by data sources which provided background into key indicators including deprivation levels to ensure the strategy was designed to target the needs of relevant communities in Spelthorne.

Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve and adopt the Spelthorne Leisure & Culture Strategy 2025-2035

2.    Agree delegated authority to the Group Head, Community Wellbeing in consultation with Chair and Vice Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee to make necessary changes to the Spelthorne Leisure and Culture Strategy, 2025 – 2035.