The Community & Children's Services Committee meeting scheduled for 5 May 2026 was set to address appointments to various sub-committees and portfolios, alongside an update on the Golden Lane Leisure Centre. The meeting's agenda also included procedural items such as the election of a Chair and Deputy Chair.

Election of Chair and Deputy Chair

The committee was scheduled to elect a Chair and Deputy Chair for the upcoming civic year, in accordance with the council's standing orders.

Appointments to Sub-Committees, Portfolios and Allocated Members

A report from the Town Clerk was to be considered, detailing proposed appointments to various sub-committees, including the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub-Committee, the Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs Sub-Committee, and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub-Committee. The committee was also to appoint Lead Members to portfolios such as Adult and Children Safeguarding, Young People, and Carers' and Special Educational Needs Champion. Additionally, appointments were to be made to the Education Board, Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee, Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Committee, Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Sub-Committee, and the Health and Wellbeing Board. The report also outlined the proposed composition and terms of reference for these sub-committees.

Golden Lane Leisure Centre - Update

An update was scheduled regarding the Golden Lane Leisure Centre. This item was to provide information on the current situation and any developments concerning the facility. The supplementary agenda for this item indicated that it was a public report for decision, with appendices containing non-public information. The report detailed the closure of the centre due to the provider, Fusion, going into administration, and outlined the alternative provision that had been put in place for users. It also referred back to design options for refurbishment that were agreed in January 2026 and sought to open up wider engagement on these options, noting potential project risks. The report recommended that members note its contents and consider whether they wished to revisit the design options and open up wider engagement.

Order of the Court of Common Council

The committee was to receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 23 April 2026 for information. This order would likely detail decisions or directives from the Court relevant to the committee's remit.

Exclusion of the Public

A motion was scheduled to be considered for the exclusion of the public from the meeting for specific items of business. This was to be done on the grounds that these items involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined by the Local Government Act 1972.

Non-Public Reports

Following the potential exclusion of the public, several non-public reports were scheduled for discussion and decision. These included:

• Golden Lane Estate Major Works Renewal Programme - Phase 1: Crescent House: This report from the Executive Director, Community & Children's Services, was for decision.
• Golden Lane Estate Major Works Renewal Programme - Phase 2: All Blocks Excluding Crescent House and Great Arthur House: Also from the Executive Director, Community & Children's Services, this report was for decision.
• Great Arthur House Fire Safety and Investment Works: This report, again from the Executive Director, Community & Children's Services, was for decision.
• Additional Posts - Major Works Team (HRA), DCCS: A report from the Director of Housing concerning additional posts for the Major Works Team was scheduled for decision.