Elmbridge scrutiny committee to examine leisure health initiatives and local government reorganisation readiness

• Elmbridge's Overview and Scrutiny Committee will scrutinise leisure health initiatives on 24 September 2026, focusing on how the council's approach can ease future pressures on East Surrey adult social care services.
• The leisure contract with Places Leisure recorded over 1.6 million visits in 2025/26 and a calculated social value of £9.5 million through reduced demand on NHS and care services.
• GP exercise referrals averaged 524 visits per month in 2025/26, up from 315 the previous year; new specialist health classes including cancer rehabilitation and Parkinson's sessions drew more than 5,000 attendances.
• The committee will agree its 2026/27 work programme, which focuses heavily on local government reorganisation scrutiny, covering service harmonisation, housing, technology readiness and voluntary sector support.
• Councillor Elaine Sesemann has been appointed to the committee following the death of Councillor Peter Harman.

Elmbridge Borough Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on 24 September 2026 to examine the council's leisure-based health and wellbeing programmes, with a central question of what steps can be taken to relieve future pressures on East Surrey Council's adult social care, health and welfare services.

The committee will consider a briefing report from the council's Head of Culture, Leisure and Environment, Ian Burrows, covering the range of initiatives delivered through the leisure operator contract with Places Leisure and through wider partnership working across the borough.

The leisure contract recorded 1,606,874 visits in 2025/26 and carries a calculated social value of £9.5 million, measured against reduced demand on health services including hospital admissions and GP appointments. The contract supports 4,966 health and fitness members and 684 swimming members, and offers 2,870 swimming lessons.

A GP exercise referral programme, which supports residents with conditions including cardiac disease and stroke recovery, averaged 524 visits per month in 2025/26, up from 315 in the previous year. New specialist health classes — including cancer rehabilitation, cardio rehabilitation, Parkinson's movement sessions, and strength and balance classes — recorded more than 5,000 attendances in the year.

The briefing report also covers a number of targeted programmes for residents facing financial and social barriers. Free swimming during all school holiday periods is provided to children receiving free school meals, and the Holiday Activities and Food programme offers free sports, social activities and lunch to hundreds of children aged 4 to 16. Looked-after children and refugee families resident in Elmbridge receive free leisure centre membership.

Among other initiatives detailed in the report, the Thrive Together pilot delivered a 12-week wellbeing intervention for women aged 40 to 65 identified through GP practice audits as frequent service users. Participants reported improvements in confidence, resilience and social connectedness, with qualitative feedback describing the programme as life-changing for several attendees. The report recommends a future volunteer-led model to maintain engagement.

The council's Wellbeing Walks and Cycle Rides programme delivered 460 walks with 4,347 attendances in 2025, attracting 329 new walkers. Fifty-two cycle rides generated 699 attendances. The programme operates across Walton, Molesey, Claygate, Esher and Cobham in partnership with organisations including the Mary Frances Trust and Princess Alice Hospice.

The new Girls Hub, a partnership between Voices of Hope and The Teen Project based in Walton-on-Thames, is designed to support girls aged 11 to 16 who have experienced domestic abuse or are struggling with anxiety or low self-esteem. The council's Parks Tennis programme has issued 323 free passes to Elmbridge families in receipt of benefits and provides free court access to scout groups, schools and refugee groups.

The report notes that Places Leisure and the council recently received an Excellent Active Wellbeing rating from Quest, the UK's quality scheme for sport and leisure providers — the highest level achievable.

Looking ahead, the report acknowledges that the ongoing local government reorganisation (LGR) has limited the development of new initiatives, with the LGR programme currently focused on transition rather than service transformation. The council states that its preventative health approach provides a template for the incoming East Surrey Council, and that stronger alignment with public health will support the area's emerging Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Surrey's Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026–2030.

Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Commercial Strategy, Councillor Simon Waugh, is unable to attend the meeting. Council Leader Councillor Mike Rollings has been invited in his place.

The committee will also review and agree its work programme for 2026/27. Future scrutiny sessions are scheduled to cover harmonisation of services, fees and charges under LGR (October 2026); support for registered social landlords ahead of reorganisation (November 2026); LGR readiness of technology, people and communications (January 2027); voluntary, community and faith sector support for the transition (February 2027); and communications to residents about changes to national planning policy (March 2027).

The committee will also note that Councillor Elaine Sesemann has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Councillor Peter Harman.