The Task and Finish Group - Fair Space met to receive updates on ongoing work and to review relevant council policies.

Next Steps

An update on the Fair Space survey was scheduled to be presented to the group. The meeting was also scheduled to receive an update on the project's focus groups, the format of which were discussed during the group's previous meeting in August. The August meeting heard that each session would last for approximately 90 minutes, with 12 participants in each group. It was suggested that 2-3 members of the Task and Finish Group should attend each session to facilitate, and that a member of staff from each school should be present to assist with any behavioural issues .

The Group was also scheduled to review existing Horsham District Council policies in relation to the provision or outdoor space and leisure facilities . The agenda does not specify which policies were to be reviewed.

Notes of the Previous Meeting

The meeting was also scheduled to receive the notes of the previous meeting, which took place on 21 August 2024. These notes were included in the meeting pack. The notes show that in August, the group discussed the drafting of a press release directing interested parties to the survey and explaining that:

whilst there was significant research showing a lack of provision of leisure spaces for girls, the survey and focus groups would provide the group with an opportunity to see if that view was replicated locally as well as allowing Members to delve into teenagers’ brains and learn about how and why they use the spaces they do.

The press release, which does not seem to have been published on the council's website, was to include a quote from the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces.

The minutes also show that in August the group discussed circulating information about the group to all Councillors to enable them to handle constituent enquiries. It was also suggested that communications be sent to Parish Councils so that they could share the survey.