Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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

The Chair advised that he wished to change the order of the agenda to allow officers presenting item 8 to leave early, and will be taking items in the following order, after item 4:

1. Item 8. Revocation of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) at junction 18 of M25, Chorleywood
2. Item 5. Leisure Facilities Management Annual Report
3. Item 7. Rickmansworth Aquadrome Programme
4. Item 6. Pond Wood Management Plan 2026-36.

The minutes of the Climate Change & Leisure Committee, held on 11 March 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the meeting.

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.

There were no items of other business.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Mike Sims declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 7. Rickmansworth Aquadrome Programme, being a member of the Rickmansworth Residents Association, and he is also a resident of a property that owns part of the mill stream, which abuts onto the Aquadrome; a private property.

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.

The Leisure Assets Manager introduced herself and the Everyone Active colleagues; John Sewell, Contract Manager for Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) and Billy Johnston, General Manager for the South Oxhey Leisure Centre, and William Penn Leisure Centre.

John Sewell presented the report.

Members raised several questions, including the reason for the decrease in swimming lessons, figures comparing to the pre-Covid 19 period, and requested information on target membership and customer satisfaction evidence to be included in future reports – Action – Everyone Active Contract Manager for TRDC. Members also inquired about the financial performance of the leisure centres.

The Contract Manager responded by explaining that there are seasonal fluctuations in the numbers, however, the decrease in swimming lessons had been noticed by staff across the leisure centres. Promotions in the local community have been increased as well as working with the Council, utilising the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to provide free swimming lessons, totalling 30 free lessons to the local primary school children who receive free school meals. The leisure centres also worked with local primary and secondary schools, in the Adopt a School scheme, which provide free swimming to children and adults from a local school for a period of one month. In addition, there are also drowning prevention week and water safety within the school swimming lessons programme, and prices are still the best value for money within Hertfordshire. The Contract Manager advised that fitness memberships and swimming lessons have increased, noting that pre-Covid, the Sir James Altham swimming pool had been used, which is smaller, single tank pool, but numbers are getting back to pre-Covid figures. The Leisure Assets Manager added that free swim and free gym are also run during the easter and summer months for under 19’s, as part of the youth provision, which is funded by the Council.

The Contract Manager explained that a detailed feedback received from customers via the online portal, verbal logs at reception, and on the ‘You Said, We Did’ feedback boards, is provided to the Council on a monthly basis. 

Members inquired why some of the facilities failed to meet their targets and what corrective actions are being taken. The Contract Manager advised that the exact figures are not included in the annual report, but finances are monitored on a weekly basis and performance on a monthly basis. Financial performance is also reported to the Council on a monthly basis. The speaker referred to the Rickmansworth Golf Course in terms of underperformance, which was due to the separation of the irrigation system from Moor Park Golf Course with no water for a period of time. However, since the installation of the new irrigation system there has been a year on year increase in revenue. A detailed report on financial performance, where it isn’t commercially sensitive, to be provided to the Leisure Assets Manager and shared with committee members. – Action – Everyone Active Contract Manager for TRDC.

Councillor Mike Sims proposed a summary of the customer satisfaction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5/26

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 Principal Trees and Woodlands Officer presented the report.

Members inquired whether there was any funding available for the management plan. The officer advised that there is no external funding available at the moment but they will explore different options. There is a small management plans budget, which officers can utilise but it is very limited.

Members praised the level of detail in the report and emphasised the importance of biodiversity in the district. Concerns were raised regarding a footpath not being included in the management plan, as public access is important. It was suggested that a social value indicator should be done for projects such as this to add a community wellbeing space. The officer responded that the footpath had been considered, however it is not feasible for it to be included in the plan at this point due to financial constraints. In addition, officers were mindful of the damage and disturbance to wildlife that the construction of a footpath would cause.

Councillor Chris Lloyd moved the recommendation as set out in the report. On being put to the committee, the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being by general assent.

RESOLVED:

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.

The Chair proposed that the discussion of this item is structured as follows:

1. Introduction of the report by the Head of Leisure & Natural Infrastructure.

2. Questions from a member of the public

3. The weir and the hydraulic part

4. Play area

5. Woodland path

6. Any other questions on the Aquadrome item

The Head of Leisure & Natural Infrastructure presented the report and provided a detailed update on the Aquadrome Programme and business as usual activities on site. Key topics highlighted include; public engagement, completion of key studies, such as the hydrology, flood modelling, ecology, SNIFFER assessment, asbestos investigation as well as an accessibility audit. The officer also highlighted the different ways the public engagement was promoted, including online, through social media, onsite notices through My Ricky News and direct letters to households next to the River Colne, along the Uxbridge road. The drop-in session was well attended and valuable feedback received. Unfortunately, the project team, including the consultants and officers experienced significant verbal abuse and aggression from the public during the session. Feedback is currently being collated from the online survey and wider engagement into a comprehensive RIBA stage 3 report, which will show the journey from stage 2 through to stage 3. Officers are also planning a community information session in September, with further details to follow once the report is complete. A key outcome of the development phase was the accessibility audit, which was very positive and looked at pan disability not just physical disability.

The officer emphasised that the Aquadrome programme focuses on the site as a local nature reserve and on enhancing its ecology. Furthermore, the officer highlighted the importance of hydrology, the aim to improve the ecology and flow of the River Colne and the adjacent mill stream, and also explained that the weir removal and river-bed regrading will improve the chalk stream and support more consistent river levels. Detailed RIBA stage 4 design work is underway to ensure the mill stream levels remain. Current data shows that a riffle, a raised hard section of the riverbed, feeds the mill stream during low flow. This will remain unaffected by the proposals. The officer also emphasised that the Council is committed to maintaining levels in both the main channel and the mill stream. The officer confirmed that works relating to the river will be subject to approval from the Environment Agency and that the EA would not approve any work that would have a detrimental impact on the river and millstream.

The officer also explained that the planning permission will be required for Bury Point, the Visitor Hub, the Woodland Walk and the Pinetum Pathway; the river restoration and the works to the causeway between Bury Lake and Stocker’s Lake will require Environment Agency (EA) approval through a flood-risk activity permit (FRAP).

The officer concluded with the confirmation that the work at the Ebury Play Area is progressing well, and it is on track to re-open as advertised.

Question from a member of the public

Mrs. Gillian Lipton spoke on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7/26

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

The Head of Regulatory Services introduced Nick Egerton, Environmental Health Manager at Watford Borough Council, who provide environmental health commercial services on behalf of Three Rivers District Council, that includes air quality. The officer also presented the report.

Members noted the positive news which shows that the air quality has been below the 10% margin of error for the past three years. The Lead Member advised that he had been in communication with officers to look into the feasibility of issuing closer to WHO standards of air quality.

Officers responded to questions from Members, including the PM 10 monitoring, which is provided by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), who have received funding which could provide further monitoring. Officers clarified that the recommendation in the report is seeking for the agreement of the revocation of the 2 AQMAs at junction 18 of the M25, not the monitoring of it. Furthermore, officers confirmed that PM 2.5 is being monitored and local authorities will still have a target to continually decrease as part of the national air quality criteria, after the AQMAs are revoked, and to demonstrate a continuous improvement through reporting annually to DEFRA.

Councillor Chris Lloyd moved the recommendation as set out in the report.

On being put to the committee, the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being by general assent.

RESOLVED:

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

1. 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.

2. 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 raised the matter will be reported back to the relevant Committee.

To receive the Committee’s work programme.

The Chair mentioned again that he wished to combine the committee’s September and November meetings into an October meeting, with a possible verbal update on the Aquadrome, and explained that the request to combine the dates is due to the fact that it is unlikely that there will be a milestone update available in September and he will also be away for the whole of November. The Chair also stated that he wished to be present at the committee’s meeting for the next update on the Aquadrome.

The Aquadrome update is to be included in the work programme. The October date to be arranged. – Action – Committee Officer.

Councillor Kerry Milliken proposed a review of the Council’s ‘no mow’ areas to be added to the work programme, due to areas where the grass is growing too long with no trees or flowers planted, as rubbish is being hidden in these areas and they are a fire hazard as well. Officers advised that as this was a decision made by Full Council, they would need to come back to Members with the correct process. – Action – Committee Team to confirm with Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Kavan Trivedi proposed a conduct of a survey on the needs and demands of young people’s food and leisure activities in the South Oxhey and Carpenders Park area. The officer advised that they would need to review and come back on that outside the meeting but advised that the Local Plan Sub-Committee is reviewing a Sport and Recreation study, which includes facilities across the district to identify gaps in provision with a focus on development that is coming forward. Additionally, a survey has been conducted recently in relation to the Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, which is scheduled for Committee’s later in the year. – Action – TRDC Leisure Officers.

In response to a request by Members, the officer advised that the 6-month review from Everyone Active cannot be pencilled in on the work programme as they will need to wait for confirmation from the Everyone Active colleagues that this is possible. The officer also responded to another request on Tanners Wood advising it will be covered by the Green Spaces Strategy, that officers are currently working on. The Chair highlighted the importance of capturing future reports on the work programme for 2027-2028. – Action – TRDC Leisure Officers.

The committee noted the work programme.

None