Newham Council's Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission has requested a formal written statement from Better (Greenwich Leisure Limited), also known as GLL, outlining their position on trade union recognition within their Newham operations. The request follows concerns raised about workers' rights and the importance of trade union engagement.
The commission is seeking clarity on GLL's stance, particularly in light of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, which is anticipated to strengthen union access and recognition processes. While GLL generally aligns with principles supportive of trade union engagement, Paul Lister, Head of Service for the London Region at Better, stated he could not confirm the organisation's current policy on trade union recognition in Newham but welcomed the opportunity to provide a formal written statement.
The issue was discussed during a meeting of the commission on Wednesday 17 September 2025, where members highlighted the importance of formal union recognition. Councillor John Gray, Chair of Pensions Committee, stated that as someone working within a social organisation, they considered formal recognition of unions to be a core expectation in any partnership.
Mr. Lister referenced examples where GLL had worked with officers and union representatives during staff transitions, acknowledging that while there had been challenges in some individual cases, union engagement had occurred.
The commission, chaired by Councillor Susan Masters, noted the concerns and formally requested that Better provide a written statement clarifying their position. The statement should address the commission's concerns about workers' rights and the importance of trade union engagement, particularly in light of anticipated legislative changes aimed at strengthening union access and recognition processes.
The request was made during a broader discussion on leisure services and physical activity in Newham, where the commission received an update on Better's performance since taking over operations from Active Newham. The meeting also covered topics such as hospital pressures, alcohol misuse inequalities, and community mental health services. The agenda for the meeting is available online. Agenda frontsheet 17th-Sep-2025 19.00 Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission
