Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Morton and Cllr Morley. Cllr Lane and Cllr Caller substituted respectively.

The minutes of the meeting of Overview Scrutiny Committee held on Thursday, 13 October 2022 were signed and agreed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Topic Review, Cllr Baljit Hayre, gave the Committee an update on the recommendations put forward to Cabinet regarding the Scrutiny Topic Review of Street Cleanliness, Littering and Fly-tipping throughout the Borough.

Members were informed that at the meeting of Cabinet on 07 November 2022, the topic review and its recommendations were approved.

Thanks was given to all Members and Officers who participated in the topic review.

Items called in from the Cabinet meeting of 07 November 2022

(Please ensure you have access to the Cabinet agenda for 07 November 2022 previously circulated to Members).

The Assistant Director (Communities) presented Members with the Cascades Leisure Centre Project Update report that was taken to Cabinet on 07 November 2022.

After considering both Part A and Part B of the Cascades Leisure Centre Project Update reports, Cabinet posed the view that the Council proceeds with Option Three as set out in section 7.1 of the report, namely progressing with the project, recognising the financial viability challenges and seeking to:

• Contain costs within the current estimate
• Increase capital funding for the scheme and/or
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs further where they are not significantly detrimental to the key objectives of the project

The Assistant Director (Communities) and Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox (Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure) explained the report in reference to ‘the consultation process and public engagement’, and outlined the following:

• Public Consultation was to end on 20 November 2022, and to date had received over 400 responses. The public were able to have their say on an informed set of plans, putting the Council in a good position to reflect on responses in the development of the project.
• The current stage of the project was achieved through various engagements during and earlier to the current consultation process with elected Members, sports clubs and other sporting organisations.
• The project has been one of evolution. It started with a proposal and evolved, and continued to be an on-going journey. This was phase one of a wider leisure offer for the borough to bring about leisure in fun and positive way.
• Leisure Centres were well liked and used across the community, and Gravesham Borough Council (GBC) want to maintain that long term investment in leisure.
• GBC hope to tackle the current issue of talent leaving the borough to train and compete, especially swimmers.
• The Assistant Director (Communities) and Cllr Mochrie-Cox were satisfied with the consultation process, but assured Members this was still phase one of the project.
• Throughout the consultations, leisure swimming pools were the most significantly mentioned.

In reference to ‘how the proposal will address health inequalities across the borough’, the Assistant Director (Communities) and Cllr Mochrie-Cox explained the following:

• They were aware of the discrepancies locally in terms of health, particularly obesity relating to active participation, and the challenges that it presented.
• The importance of getting a presence from the health sector into the leisure centre was discussed.
• High importance was given to the engagement of children and a progression route to build healthier habits and keep them interested in the leisure centre as they got older.
• There was hope individuals would influence other members of their families, and this wouldn’t just be about the facilities in the building but making use of outdoor spaces.
• As a result of changing health legislation, integrated care partnerships, in collaboration with local authorities, sought to develop a higher level of care. The proposed leisure centre addressed ways to prevent people from becoming unhealthy.
• Infrastructure was at the heart of on-going regeneration health planning, and they welcomed wider partnerships.
• Through integrated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Resolved that pursuant to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded from any item included in Part B of the agenda because it is likely in view of the nature of business to be transacted that if members of the public mare present during this item, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Items called in from the Cabinet meeting of 07 November 2022

(Please ensure you have access to the Cabinet agenda for 07 November 2022 previously circulated to Members).

The Overview Scrutiny Committee considered, and discussed in detail, the Part B information pertaining to the Cascades Leisure Centre report.

The Committee were provided with further financial information which needed to remain confidential at this stage.