The Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee met on 18 March 2026 to discuss recommendations for improving leisure and health services across the borough. Key decisions included a commitment to review the affordability of leisure facilities and to continue funding for Community Action Redbridge.

Leisure and Health Recommendations

The committee discussed a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at improving health and well-being through leisure activities. These recommendations were developed following discussions with health professionals, leisure services, and the voluntary sector organisation, Community Action Redbridge.

A significant focus was placed on addressing health disparities within Redbridge, particularly concerning child obesity, deprivation, and ethnic health inequalities. The committee reviewed data on physical activity, obesity rates, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and life expectancy across different wards and ethnic groups. It was noted that the South Asian community experiences a higher prevalence of cardiovascular ailments.

Key areas of discussion and recommendations included:

• Targeted Interventions: The need for targeted intervention programmes in wards with low uptake of leisure activities and poor health outcomes was highlighted. This includes considering faith-based interventions and community-led initiatives in areas of higher deprivation.
• Accessibility and Affordability: The committee discussed barriers to participation in leisure facilities, including affordability of charges and transport costs. There was a strong call to review the affordability of sports facilities and to explore community grant funding. Concerns were raised about pensioners struggling to afford leisure centre access due to the rising cost of living, with a suggestion to investigate free leisure facilities offered by neighbouring boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Islington.
• Community Engagement and Partnerships: The importance of cross-sector partnerships between health, leisure, and the voluntary sector was emphasised to address complex health inequalities. The committee specifically requested that Community Action Redbridge¹ be invited to a future meeting to present their work, and recommended that their funding be renewed for at least another year, acknowledging their significant contribution to community well-being.
• Facilities and Provision: The committee recommended a continued review of borough-wide leisure facilities, including unmet needs such as indoor cricket provision. They also suggested exploring more innovative games and structured activities, and examining barriers to participation, particularly in relation to accessing facilities from home.
• Youth and Gender Focus: Recommendations were made to investigate reasons for decreased participation among younger girls in youth-focused activities and to identify strategies for improving retention. The idea of sponsoring sports championships to promote engagement was also discussed, with a note on the historical success of competitive youth teams.
• Schools and Food Environments: The committee explored the feasibility of providing discounted fruit at schools and embedding nutrition programs. This ties into discussions about the prevalence of takeaways near schools and the need for improved food education for children, including smart shopping and budgeting skills.
• Inclusion for Disabled Residents: The committee highlighted the need for inclusive activities and purposeful design for disabled residents. A specific concern was raised regarding post-stroke rehabilitation, with a recommendation to review the current period of rehabilitation and explore community-based offers for those recuperating from hospital discharges, particularly for individuals who may exceed financial thresholds for social care support.
• Collaboration and Best Practice: The overarching theme was the need for collaboration, sharing data and resources, building trust, and embedding community-led approaches. This includes reducing avoidable competition between community groups and encouraging them to work together. The committee also suggested exploring the possibility of making small grants available to organisations wishing to start or provide facilities.

The Cabinet Member present acknowledged the credibility of the recommendations and confirmed that the council would collaborate with various groups, including health, education, and the voluntary sector, to work towards these goals. The recommendations will be tidied up and passed to the Leisure department for report writing, with a further meeting planned for April to ratify them before being sent to scrutiny.