The Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee was scheduled to discuss a Fit now and for the Future Leisure approach, focusing on improvements to leisure facilities and services. The committee was also set to review the council's work plan for the upcoming year.

Leisure and Future Strategy

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to a presentation on a Fit now and for the Future Leisure approach, delivered by Jess Khanom-Metaman, the Head of Leisure and Culture. This approach was intended to examine expectations, target improvements through the capital programme, and update the council's website. The presentation was expected to outline five key work strands: Contract Management, Community Sport/Leisure and Culture Development, Capital Development Client, Future Strategy/Approach for Leisure and Culture Services, and Future Management Arrangements – Operations.

During the discussion, it was anticipated that the Local Plan would be highlighted as a key factor in determining the focus for Leisure and Culture facilities, with investments in assets dependent on population and policy assessments. Commissioning of related work was expected to be undertaken, with results due by spring 2026. The committee was also scheduled to consider the development of a policy for how Redbridge works with community leisure sport development, which would form part of a future strategy and be developed alongside future management arrangements.

The contract with the provider Vision was noted as being extended, with a need to consider future service provisions. The presentation was expected to cover how national governing bodies' goals of increasing participation in sport and activity align with understanding public and community interests to support sports clubs. Vision's provision of a like-for-like service and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) was to be discussed, alongside questions about the effectiveness of the Investing in Redbridge webpage for self-service and directing residents to specific projects. A query was anticipated regarding a project involving a path from Hainault to Barking, with an update expected from Jess Khanom-Metaman at a future meeting.

Consideration was scheduled for aging facilities within the borough that may not be serving a purpose, with a view to addressing these through a strategic investment strategy. The potential for a policy around the approach to sports clubs, community wellbeing, and inclusion was also on the agenda. In terms of prevention, the continuation of work with the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB) strategy and strategic partnerships was to be discussed, along with alignment with public health initiatives, accessibility, inclusion, and barriers to access.

The committee was expected to express interest in the HWBB's work areas, particularly concerning child obesity in deprived areas and the age groups most affected. Questions were anticipated regarding the uptake of the leisure pass, with a focus on why there was a higher uptake in the north of the borough and whether this was due to communication or webpage issues. The committee was expected to express a particular interest in this disparity and request data collection to understand the reasons, whether related to deprivation or other factors, to ensure the council offered residents what they wanted and to foster a more creative community approach.

The council's operational control over the contract with Vision was to be queried, including the possibility of exploring speed limits. It was explained that management had set objectives, and changes could be made through change control and variations. A wider conversation about advertising to generate income was suggested, considering the benefits, implications, and financial sustainability of installing advertising. Jess Khanom-Metaman was to consider options with Vision to explore income generation from media.

Further discussion was scheduled regarding contract specification and the development of a new contract, with the possibility of the committee examining specific paths or recommendations. The potential for Vision to contribute to capital expenditure was also to be considered. An options appraisal was underway, and a member briefing workshop was to be provided. Ongoing work examining provision, performance, and uptake, and how to maintain continuous improvement, was to be shared with the committee once collated. Cabinet had approved the Vision contract until March 2027, and a report on the Council's Commissioned via Grants Programme was due to go to Cabinet in January.

The committee was also scheduled to request that Cabinet undertake a review of housing allocation policies. Going forward, the committee intended to consider affordability and obesity in relation to the contract and health inequities, as well as health inequalities and the Vision contract as major considerations. Data for health inequalities was requested for the February meeting, with the understanding that it needed to be accessed based on the status of the Cabinet report.

It was requested that Vision provide an initial presentation showing which facilities were being used, with a view to scheduling this for late January or early February 2026. Jess Khanom-Metaman was to confirm a date for this presentation. Data was requested for the 6th of January meeting, and Jess was to speak with Vision to obtain public health data. It was also requested that Vision provide a workshop for members before the next meeting, enabling a choice of themes to be proposed at the January meeting.

Homes and Neighbourhoods PDC Work Plan 2025/2026

The committee was scheduled to note the Homes and Neighbourhood Policy Development 2025-26 Work Plan. The plan indicated that topics for future meetings, dependent on workshop output, would involve consideration of reports and documentary evidence, or presentations, with witnesses including Paul Cooper, Interim Head of Housing Needs, and Councillor Saima Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness.

Previous Meeting Minutes

The unconfirmed minutes of the previous Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee meeting on 17 November 2025 were scheduled for consideration. The agenda also included a standing item to receive updates from the Chair.