Agenda item

The Council has received the following petition from Mrs. Vicki Kapoor Sood:

“To ask the Council to provide a much-needed Leisure Centre in Stanwell”

The Council will decide to respond to this petition in one of the following ways:

(a). support the action the petition requests.

(b). dismiss the action the petition requests.

(c). refer the petition to the Cabinet or the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

The petition organiser will receive written confirmation of the decision.

The following petition had been received from Mrs. Kapoor Sood:

“To ask the Council to provide a much-needed Leisure Centre in Stanwell.”

Mrs. Kapoor Sood gave a presentation on her petition.

Councillor M.M. Attewell, portfolio holder for Community and Wellbeing, responded on behalf of the Council:

“Thank you for your campaign on this valuable cause Mrs Kapoor Sood.

I am able to confirm that in 2013-14 a leisure needs analysis was undertaken in Spelthorne to review the current leisure provision in the borough and to establish future need. In particular, the review took account of the ageing Spelthorne leisure centre building and it was considered that it would become unfit for purpose in the next few years.

The needs analysis indicated a need for facilities in the borough and as a result it was decided that the council would look to replace the existing leisure centre with a new facility. Work has subsequently begun looking at the feasibility of this. Sites currently being considered for the new centre are in close proximity to the existing

Spelthorne Leisure Centre due to its accessibility by public transport, availability of land and the demand.

There are currently two well-used leisure centres in the borough. One in Sunbury and one in Staines-upon-Thames which are run by Everyone Active and serve the boroughs’ 100,000 population. These centres provide a wide range of sports and leisure facilities and cater to the needs of local residents; improving their general health and wellbeing.

Due to the high build and running costs of leisure centres and the land required it is not possible to have centres in immediate proximity to all residents. Nevertheless we have been pushing for greater public access to existing facilities across the borough such as within schools, to increase local access to convenient leisure activities.

There is a wide range of opportunities for exercise and leisure throughout the borough run by a number of providers, including the Council. There are a variety of classes which take place in community halls and there are numerous parks and open spaces used for outdoor recreation, such as team sports, walking, running and playing. Outdoor exercise equipment is available in two open spaces within the borough. One site is located in Stanwell on the corner of Explorer Avenue and Mulberry Avenue, which provides free recreation to residents as part of the Stanwell New Start project. Spelthorne Borough Council has recently installed a BMX/Skate Park in Long Lane Recreation Ground and intend to set up over fifties exercise classes in Stanwell Rose Hall within the next few months. There are currently council activities running in Stanwell.  Surrey Youth Games coaching sessions are running at Ashford Sports Club in Short Lane, Stanwell and the successful Walking for Health Scheme and Cycling for Health Schemes both have routes that regularly start and finish in Stanwell.

It is of course appreciated that some of these facilities are not within walking distance for the majority of Stanwell residents and that it would be preferable for them to have facilities and activities close to where they live.

Thank you again for your well-intentioned campaign. Please be assured that the leisure team at Spelthorne Council will continue to offer activities in Stanwell and to work with local schools and clubs to develop their facilities as appropriate but at the current time we unfortunately have to dismiss the action your petition requests.”

It was proposed by Councillor M.M. Attewell and seconded by Councillor V.J. Leighton to dismiss the petitioner’s request due to the Council’s limited capacity to fund indoor leisure facilities at this time.

Councillors then debated the Motion.

The Mayor invited councillors to vote on the Motion.

In accordance with Standing Order 21.4, Councillor I.T.E. Harvey requested a recorded vote on the motion.

Resolved that the petition be dismissed.