Redbridge Council's Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee has outlined its priorities for the upcoming year, focusing on improving health and well-being through enhanced leisure and community initiatives. The committee reviewed its work programme during a meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, discussing strategies to promote physical activity and address health inequalities across the borough.
Key areas of focus include increasing accessibility to leisure facilities, particularly for deprived communities and children, and exploring targeted intervention programmes for specific wards. The committee also highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships between the council, health services, and the voluntary sector to tackle complex factors contributing to health disparities. Community Action Redbridge, a key voluntary sector organisation, was highlighted as a partner with whom closer collaboration is sought to provide a holistic offer for Redbridge residents. The aim is for health, leisure, and voluntary groups to come together to create comprehensive programs.
Community Action Redbridge presented data from 5,000 people in the borough regarding their leisure activities and general health, and how these affect their day-to-day living. This information will be used to inform recommendations and reports for the leisure department to develop programs addressing these issues. The committee aims to leverage data from various partners, including health services and Community Action Redbridge, to understand complex factors behind health inequalities and to identify real local needs and strengths. This data will be used to build trust and develop joint plans for delivery and review, fostering collaboration and community-led approaches.
Discussions also touched upon the affordability of leisure services. Redbridge currently has a charging policy for leisure facilities, although it is discounted. To address affordability concerns, the exploration of community grant funding was mentioned, with specific reference to the 'community infrastructure fund for community grants' and 'community seed funding grant program'. Neighbouring boroughs like Tower Hamlets and Islington were noted for offering free leisure facilities to those over 60, which Redbridge might explore. There was also a suggestion to consider small grants for organizations wishing to start or provide facilities. The committee recommended that funding for Community Action Redbridge be continued, acknowledging their significant contribution to community health and well-being initiatives.
Furthermore, the committee emphasized the need to investigate reasons for decreased participation among younger girls in youth-focused activities and to identify strategies for improving retention. The meeting identified a decrease in participation among younger girls in youth-focused activities and is investigating the reasons for this. Specific strategies being considered to improve retention include sponsoring sports championships to promote engagement and establishing regular leagues for activities like netball and football.
In terms of facilities and provision, the committee resolved to continue reviewing borough-wide leisure facilities, identifying unmet needs such as indoor cricket and Kabaddi. Beyond these, the meeting identified a need to continue looking at more innovative games and structured activities for people. There was also a suggestion to consider providing facilities in the area called Philpott Pass, next to Minstone Way Primary School, due to a lack of facilities in that area. However, no specific costs or timelines for addressing these unmet needs were provided. Examining barriers to participation, including transport and affordability, remains a priority.
The committee also addressed the importance of inclusive activities for disabled residents, particularly focusing on post-stroke rehabilitation services. The current provision for post-stroke rehabilitation in Redbridge involves an initial period of help with mobility and rehabilitation, with a hospital discharge package covering the first four to six weeks. After this period, individuals may have to pay for further rehabilitation if they exceed certain income thresholds. The recommendation is to reconsider the current period of rehabilitation and explore the possibility of community facilities offering support for those recuperating from hospital discharges, especially if they fall above the earnings threshold.
Collaboration and sharing of resources were also central themes, with an emphasis on leveraging data from various partners to build trust and develop joint plans. The committee advocated for embedding community-led approaches and reducing competition among local organisations, encouraging them to work together.
The committee's recommendations will be tidied up and passed on for report writing, with a further meeting scheduled for April to ratify them before being sent to scrutiny. The committee's work programme for the year can be found in the HN PDCs Annual Work Programme 10 March 2026. The unconfirmed minutes of the meeting are available here.