Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 April 2026 were noted as a true and accurate record.

Guidance is available online to Councillors and co-opted members on making declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

Information on public speaking is available online

No members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

There were no matters of urgency.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the Press) have been excluded. Thereis one item which officersrecommendshould be dealtwithin thisway.

There was one confidential/exempt item (minute 10 refers).

The LED Chief Operating Officer presented this report which provided an update on recent activities.  He highlighted the success of the LTA Open Weekend and school engagement week, and the NHS Community Assessment Day.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·         The NHS Community Assessment Day was a pilot initiative delivered with minimal funding but significant team effort.  The event had a clear positive impact and the LED team were keen to make it a regular event in the calendar.  

·         The LED outreach team carried out valuable work across the district, particularly in reaching hard-to engage communities and supporting public health priorities.

·         Members spoke positively of the work being undertaken and praised the integration of health and leisure services. 

·         It would be appropriate to promote the achievements of LED through the Council’s communications and media channels. 

The Forum noted the report.

The Forum received and noted key details of the performance of LED Community Leisure for May 2026.

The LED Chief Operating Officer advised that increased competition from budget gym operators was impacting attendance but group exercise classes remained a key strength and area of growth. 

Members were invited to provide suggestions for future dashboard formats through the Leisure Manager. 

The Leisure Manager presented this report which detailed the feedback from stakeholder engagement with town and parish councils, national governing bodies, colleges and community schools on the draft key principles and detail for the Playing Pitch and Open Space Strategy (PPOSS). 

The Forum was asked to consider the feedback, and to recommend the PPOSS, Executive Summary and Action Plan to Cabinet for approval.

Once approved, officers would provide an update on progress against the Action Plan to the Forum on an annual basis.

The Portfolio Holder Culture, Leisure, Sport and Tourism thanked the Leisure Manager for his detailed report and hard work in producing the Strategy, and Strategic Leisure for their input into the report.  He commented on the importance of the Strategy in protecting existing facilities, and proposed that the Forum recommend it for approval.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·         The Council would advocate for towns and parishes and assist them with grant applications, and a dedicated web page would supply much of the information they needed in order to access support.  It was suggested to include an update in the Councillors newsletter once the web page had gone live.

·         Officers were asked to liaise with Cranbrook Town Council regarding the town’s cricket provision and Pavilion issues.

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet:

To approve the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy, Executive Summary and Action Plan.

The Leisure Manager presented this report which provided an update on the progress with the Cranbrook Leisure and Wellbeing Centre, part of the Cranbrook Leisure, Health and Wellbeing project.

In discussion, it was noted that planning determination was expected later this year and a detailed business case would be presented to Cabinet in December 2026.  Subject to funding and final approvals, construction could begin in 2027 with completion during 2028.

The Forum noted the progress being made by the Cranbrook leisure Centre Project Team.

The meeting went into private session.

The Leisure Manager presented this report which provided an update on the Leisure Project. 

The Forum discussed the report and noted the update.

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet:

To note the contents of this update.