Apologies had been received from Cllr Aspinell and Cllr Haigh was substitute.

The Minutes of the Community and Health Committee held on 14^th March 2022 were agreed as a true record.  However, the Chair advised that the Everyone Active presentation was presented by officers on their behalf.

The Minutes of the Enforcement and Housing Committee held on 7^th March 2022 were agreed as a true record.

An update presentation will be given to the Committee from Everyone Active.

A presentation was made to Members by Shaun Beagle, Area Contract Manager, of Everyone Active.  Mr Beagle gave an overview of the progress of the Brentwood Centre since they had taken over.  This included increases in community activity, growth of swim scheme, increase in fitness membership and a summary of events past and future.  The works at King George’s Playing Fields were also discussed including the opening of the new Hartswood Pavilion.

Members praised Everyone Active on their success and the positive feedback received from residents.  However, concerns were raised regarding the Café at King George’s.  Mr Beagle assured Members their concerns were being addressed and a number of approaches were being put into place including the recruitment of a Food and Beverage Manager.

Members noted the Chair’s report and thanked the Chair and officers accordingly.  Members requested an update on tree planting around the borough to be included in future reports.

It had been proposed to update the signage and, wayfinding to improve the Hartswood Access trail in Hartswood in King George’s Playing Fields. As Hartswood is an SSSI site, any works need to be carried out under guidance from Natural England. The proposal is to involve local schools and the Countryside volunteers to be involved in the wayfinding posts and map design.

Mrs Anderson summarised the report.

Cllr Gelderbloem MOVED and Cllr Reed SECONDED the recommendation in the report.

Following discussion a vote was taken and Members

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

Agree to delegate authority to the Director Communities and

Environment in consultation with the Chair of Community, Environment and Enforcement Committee to agree scope of works and identify costs and funding.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council’s Leisure Strategy 2018-2028 has six workstreams which includes open spaces. The key performance indicators for this workstream are to increase sport and physical activity in the Council’s open spaces; Improveawareness of the offer in the Council’s open spaces; and increase volunteering.

The Brentwood volunteer-run walking organisation - ‘Health Trax’ has a weekly well-attended walking group which walks through Hartswood that would benefit from an improved pathway and signage.

The Council’s Leisure Strategy vision sets out that it will support community groups and leisure, but also make best use of its assets, and deliver best value for moneyacross the borough. The Community Halls provide strategic community spaces acrossthe borough. The five Community Halls are back under direct management ofBrentwood Council after Brentwood Leisure Trust went into liquidation in November2020.

The five community halls include Merrymede House, Nightingale Centre, Bishops Hall, Hutton Poplars Hall and Hutton Poplars Lodge.

Mrs Anderson summarised the report.

Following a full discussion the report was noted.

There were no items of urgent business.

The meeting concluded at 20.05