Agenda and draft minutes

Jackie Strong was proposed by John Crook, seconded by Maria Stevens. There were no other nominations and the vote was carried. 

John Crook was proposed by Martyn Groucutt, seconded by Maria Stevens. There were no other nominations and the vote was carried. It was clarified that Councillor Crook is now a permanent member of the committee, replacing Councillor Riley.

Maureen Powell (recovering from operation). Simon Howarth, Sue Riley as substitute.

None. 

None. 

Cabinet Member Angela Sandles introduced the report: 

The report sets out a proposed investment in Caldicot Leisure Centre to ensure it remains a key strategic leisure asset for the south of the county. The investment aligns with wider council objectives, including healthier communities, improved wellbeing, sustainable services, and modern community infrastructure. The need for investment has been recognised for some time, with previous attempts to secure Levelling Up Fund support unsuccessful. 

The proposal represents a shift in approach: instead of waiting for external funding, the Council is looking to deliver achievable improvements using its own resources. It is presented as a practical and deliverable step forward, ensuring progress is not delayed by lack of grant funding. The investment would complement other recent improvements in Caldicot, supporting a more coordinated approach across the site. 

Overall, the proposal aims to modernise facilities, improve customer experience, protect the centre’s role within the MonLife portfolio, and support long-term sustainability. The report is framed as an opportunity to move from aspiration to action, delivering realistic and meaningful improvements. 

Stacey Jones delivered a presentation, covering the following points: 

The purpose of the proposal is to invest in and refurbish the first-floor fitness suite at Caldicot Leisure Centre. The scheme is intended to modernise the existing facility, improve the overall customer experience, increase capacity, and support growth in membership. It is positioned as a necessary intervention to protect the long-term sustainability of the Council’s leisure service by ensuring that the offer remains relevant and attractive to users. 

The rationale for investment is based on the current condition of the facilities, which are dated and no longer meet modern expectations. The existing fitness equipment is over 18 years old and is no longer considered fit for purpose. Without investment, there is a recognised risk to the sustainability of the service, as customer retention and growth may decline. This presents a direct financial risk, given that fitness memberships represent a significant source of income for the leisure service. 

The scope of the scheme includes the refurbishment and reconfiguration of the main gym and first-floor areas, with the creation of a modern 40-station fitness suite. Improvements will also be made to smaller gym areas, studios, multi-purpose spaces, and circulation areas to enhance usability and flow. The project includes a full refurbishment of toilet facilities (male, female, and accessible), as well as upgrades to core infrastructure such as flooring, lighting, power, data, and decoration. In addition, there will be a full replacement of fitness equipment, supported by a significant investment in new, modern equipment. 

The funding approach combines capital funding of approximately £300,000 with borrowing of just over £300,000. The borrowing element will be repaid over a 10-year period, with annual repayments of around £40,000. These repayments are expected to be met through increased income generated by additional memberships as a result of the improved facilities. 

Income assumptions underlying the proposal indicate that an increase of around 100 additional memberships would generate approximately £41,000 per year, which would be sufficient to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

A query was raised regarding items that had been agreed by the committee at the last meeting but are not on the forward work programme. It was clarified that these matters had been raised as questions to the Cabinet Member through the Public Open Forum item, rather than as formal additions to the work programme. As such, they remain pending a response from the Cabinet Member, after which it may be appropriate to incorporate specific items into the scrutiny work programme. Officers will chase that response – ACTION 

There is a duplication error in the forward plan, with the Youth Service item now coming to the September meeting. 

It was confirmed that a future item on homelessness legislation, scheduled for the July meeting, would include specific consideration of the impacts on care leavers, particularly those placed out of county. In addition, it was agreed that issues raised through the Corporate Parenting Panel should be fed into the scrutiny work programme to ensure that relevant concerns are properly considered. – ACTION 

A suggestion was made to incorporate lived experience input into future scrutiny discussions, for example through short contributions from individuals directly affected by homelessness legislation. It was agreed that this approach would add value and should be utilised where appropriate to inform and strengthen scrutiny. 

It was noted that a letter to the Health Board regarding assistive technology had previously been discussed, but there remained some uncertainty as to whether this had been progressed. It was agreed that this should be followed up. In addition, a suggestion was made to invite representatives from the Health Board to attend a future meeting to explain their role in relation to assistive technology and provide further clarification to the committee. – ACTIONS 

The Chair noted that members wish to avoid meetings being scheduled in half term in the future. 

Noted.

The minutes were confirmed.

The minutes were confirmed.

Thursday 18th June 2026 at 10.00am