The Economy, Arts, Sports, and Public Realm Policy and Accountability Committee were scheduled to discuss an active wellbeing strategy, and a play transformation programme at their meeting. The committee, chaired by Councillor Rory Vaughan, was also scheduled to review the minutes from their previous meeting. Councillors were asked to declare any interests.

Play Transformation Programme 2025-28

The committee were scheduled to discuss the Play Transformation Programme 2025-28, which could see an £8.3 million investment across the borough's playgrounds.

According to the report pack, Hammersmith and Fulham Council manages 33 playgrounds across 55 parks and open spaces, as well as 62 play areas located within H&F Housing estates. An independent evaluation in 2024 assessed the quality of play provision across the borough's parks and open spaces, scoring each site against 15 quality criteria. The report showed that several playgrounds would benefit from investment.

The investment could transform play provision across the borough and provide more inspiring and inclusive playgrounds. The programme may create an exemplar playground from its existing portfolio, with the prospect of creating two further exemplar playgrounds subject to funding.

The report pack stated that engagement and consultation would be central to the success of the programme. Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, such as the Play Forum and Parks Forum, would continue throughout the duration of the programme and beyond. Structured consultations would be carried out for each playground to gather insights into community needs and preferences, and to collect feedback on proposed designs.

Ravenscourt Park was identified as the proposed location for the borough's flagship exemplar play site.

Active Wellbeing Strategy

The committee were scheduled to discuss the Active Wellbeing Strategy, which supersedes the previous Sport & Physical Activity Strategy. The strategy aligns with the latest national policy direction from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

The report pack stated that the strategy would play a crucial role in fostering social and economic benefits for all residents by supporting healthier lifestyles. It would also aim to reduce preventable pressure on local and national public health services. The strategy also intends to tackle inequalities in access to active lifestyles.

The Active Wellbeing Strategy 2026 – 2029 Action Plan Year 1 Summary stated that the aim of the Active Wellbeing strategy is to maintain and continue to increase activity levels amongst the currently active population, while prioritising interventions that target population groups identified as being inactive.

The delivery of the strategy would be structured around three themes:

• Active People - supporting individuals to build confidence and motivation to move more.
• Active Communities - developing the local networks, groups and activities required to reach people in our community who are inactive, and to create accessible and welcoming entry points to a more active lifestyle.
• Active Environment - creating spaces and neighbourhoods that make it easier and more appealing to be active.

The report pack identifies East Acton, Old Oak, White City, College Park, West Kensington, Queen Caroline and Townmead as neighbourhoods where higher levels of deprivation limit access to affordable and accessible opportunities for physical activity.

The report pack also stated that girls and women, disabled and older people are at greater risk of being inactive, and that these groups form the focus of the Year One Action Plan.