Agenda

To confirm, as being a correct record, the minutes of the Climate Change & Leisure Committee, held on 11 March 2026.

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Appendix A details the annual report from April 2025 – March 2026 from the council’s leisure facilities management contractor, Sports and Leisure Management (SLM). The annual report shares a reflection on the previous 12 months’ work and outlines the work programme for the coming year.

Recommendation

·        That the April 2025 – March 2026 annual report from Sports and Leisure Management is noted.

·        That public access to the report be immediate.

·        That public access to the decision be immediate.

A new ten-year management plan has been developed for Pond Wood, South Oxhey. The new plan contains management actions for the woodland over the next ten years from financial year 2026/27 until 2036/37. The detailed actions relate to woodland management for biodiversity and improvements to public access and interpretation. The plan has a focus on the long-term management of numerous veteran Hornbeam trees which are a particular feature of Pond Wood. These veteran trees require careful, phased management to ensure they continue to thrive and do not go into decline.  The aim of the plan is also to identify younger Hornbeam trees, which are suitable to start as new pollards. 

Recommendation

That:

That the Climate Change and Leisure Committee:

·        Adopt the new 10-year Management Plan for Pond Wood

·        Give delegated authority to the Director of Finance to enter into a contract or funding agreement above the value of £25,000, subject to securing external funding to facilitate works to support the implementation of the Management Plans.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Programme, including funding progress and opportunities.

Recommendation

That the Climate Change and Leisure Committee:

·        Note the content of the report

·        Give delegated authority to the Director of Finance to enter into contracts or funding agreements above the value of £25,000, subject to securing external funding, or where a project is in existing/agreed budgets providing that the purpose of such is in line with the approved Aquadrome Management Plan and actions proposed within this report.

AQMAs are required to be designated where the air quality fails to meet the prescribed standards for certain pollutants. This is done through an order, made under the Environment Act 1995. Since the 2 remaining AQMAs in Three Rivers were designated in 2001, the air quality has improved and the improvements have been sustained such that the air quality now complies with the required standards. For this reason, Junction 18 of the M25 and its surrounds no longer need to be designated as AQMAs and the revocation of the orders is being recommended, in line with Government guidance.

This report provides further details and seeks clarification on the relevant revocation process.

Recommendation

That the report and its recommendations are discussed and noted with the agreed Officer recommendations progressed:

i)          To agree the revocation of the 2 AQMAs at junction 18 of the M25 in accordance with DEFRA guidance/legislative provisions under the Environment Act 1995 following stakeholder and public consultation.

ii)         The final decision to revoke the 2 AQMAs at junction 18 of the M25 is delegated to the Director of Finance in consultation with the relevant Lead Member following consideration of any responses received to the consultation. If any material objections are

To receive the Committee’s work programme.