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It endorsed its draft inquiry report on improving the city centre experience for daytime users, for sending to Cabinet. It also noted how its 2026-27 work programme will be developed.
The Chairperson advised Members that Council at its meeting on 21st May 2026 appointed himself as Chair of this Committee and at the same meeting appointed them as Members of this Committee. The Committee’s Terms of Reference had been circulated to all committee members by email, and the Chairperson asked that Members familiarise themselves with them to ensure that Committee’s scrutiny stays within these terms. Apologies had been received from Cllr Owen Jones.
None received.
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 26 May 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chairperson advised Members that this item enabled them to scrutinise progress in delivering the leisure centre management partnership contract between the Council and GLL. Members were reminded that Appendix A, some presentation slides, contained confidential slides and were asked not to refer to them in open session. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed: From Cardiff Council · Eirian Jones – Operational Manager – Strategic Estates · Sarah Stork – Client Manager From GLL · Lee Jones – Head of Service – Cardiff · Matt Simmons – Head of Transformation · Lindsay Dingle - General Manager – Cardiff. Members were provided with a presentation from witnesses, after which the Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members noted the data presented by GLL, which demonstrated increases in memberships, attendances, retention rates and customer satisfaction during the reporting period. GLL advised that these improvements had been driven by an increased focus on staff investment and training to enhance the customer experience, alongside targeted marketing initiatives. Members also noted a significant rise in participation in both Swim School and Swimbies sessions. It was further reported that 65% of memberships were discounted. While uptake of discounted carer memberships remained relatively low, GLL explained that this category had only recently been introduced and that participation levels were expected to increase over time. Members requested that GLL provide UK comparator data for memberships and attendances for 2025/26 to enable comparison between Cardiff’s performance and that of other GLL locations. Members also requested that comparative information on memberships and attendances be included in future annual monitoring reports submitted to the Committee, to provide additional context for Cardiff’s performance. In addition, Members requested a breakdown of discounted memberships by centre to assess whether membership uptake aligned with the most deprived communities in Cardiff. Members noted that, in response to the previous year’s Chair’s Letter, GLL had advised that 48% of customers had not provided ethnicity data. During the meeting, Members questioned the sources used to compile service user demographic information, noting that membership application forms and annual service user surveys were the primary sources. Members also queried whether similarly high levels of non-completion existed for other protected characteristics, including age and gender, and consequently questioned the overall reliability and robustness of the demographic data. Members requested that GLL provide non-completion rates for all protected characteristics collected during 2025/26, including age, gender, disability and ethnicity. Members further requested that these rates be included in future annual monitoring reports to assist the Committee in assessing the robustness of the demographic information presented. In addition, Members requested further information on products and services specifically aimed at older people, including Falls Prevention, Strength and Mobility training and Tai Chi programmes, together with details of how provision in Cardiff compared with that available at GLL centres elsewhere in the UK. Members also requested additional information on the data used to identify the travel methods used by customers accessing GLL centres in Cardiff. In relation to charges, Members requested that GLL provide comparator information relating to charges within GLL partnerships of a similar scale and nature to Cardiff. Members welcomed the information provided on Welsh language and bilingual provision, including GLL’s partnership work with the Urdd. Members requested further details of Welsh language provision delivered in conjunction with the Urdd, with the information disaggregated by individual centre. Members noted that the Transformation Programme was intended to address the current deficit while establishing a platform for future growth, including increasing the number of prepaid memberships and Swim School participants. In relation to planned improvements to the GLL App, Members highlighted the volume of recent negative online feedback relating to the application. Members noted GLL’s explanation that a national working group had been established to improve both the user experience and customer journey. Members requested further information on levels of App usage among Cardiff GLL customers. Members noted that new soft play facilities for children both under and over five years of age were scheduled to open at Eastern Leisure Centre in October 2026. Members also noted that Pentwyn Leisure Centre was expected to reopen in time for the school summer holidays and would include a refurbished and expanded gym and studio space following a £263,000 investment by GLL. Members noted that GLL was working with Cycle Wales and other partners to develop a programme of activities to support and coincide with the Tour de France 2027. The programme included balance bike provision at centres across Cardiff and events at Maindy Velodrome. During discussion, Members raised the potential for Cardiff to benefit from legacy funding associated with the event, recognising the opportunities this could provide to support active travel initiatives and volunteering programmes. Members noted that ongoing maintenance works were being undertaken at Maindy Velodrome. It was further noted that future updates on the facility would be reported, as appropriate, to the Cabinet Trust Committee and/or the Cabinet (Maindy Park Trust Committee). RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To endorse the ‘Improving Cardiff City Centre Daytime Users’ Experiences’ draft report, for submission to the Cabinet.
The Committee received a report presenting the draft Inquiry Report on Improving Cardiff City Centre Daytime Users’ Experiences for consideration, amendment and approval prior to submission to Cabinet. The Principal Scrutiny Officer outlined the background to the Inquiry, reminding Members that the work programme for 2025/26, agreed on 16 September 2025, included a review of city centre daytime user experiences. The agreed terms of reference focused on identifying ways to improve the experience of city centre users and increase footfall, repeat visits, length of stay and spend. Members noted the wide-ranging evidence gathered during the Inquiry, including: • Public engagement through surveys and stakeholder forums. • Findings from previous Ask Cardiff surveys and FOR Cardiff's survey The City You Have: The City You Want. • Walkthrough assessments undertaken in January, February and March 2026. • Shadowing exercises with street cleansing staff and city centre wardens. • Written submissions from community groups, accessibility organisations and ward councillors. • Evidence sessions with Council officers, Cabinet Members, South Wales Police and FOR Cardiff representatives. • Research reports commissioned by Scrutiny on aggressive begging, amplified busking and first/last mile collections and deliveries. The Chairperson wished to state that it was important to note that all recommendations from the inquiry were evidence based. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members wondered whether the inquiry could have included the extent and quality of the retail offer, compared to other cities, and what the Council could do to improve this, as well as conflicting uses of the city centre. Members were advised that this had been discussed in terms of the conflict of different uses of the city centre, such as events/shopping/residents, and how this could best be balanced. The retail offer element had also been flagged in the social media responses, and the task group discussed it with officers. Members were advised of the FOR Cardiff survey and its’ findings regarding the interface of uses, for example some people avoid the city centre on event days, some like to soak up the atmosphere and feel safer knowing there is a higher police presence etc. Most people had said that Cardiff benefits from holding events. The Chairperson also raised the issue of empty retail units and the potential for different uses, such as secure cycle parking, highlighting this had also been discussed but a different approach was being taken to secure cycle parking and meanwhile use of empty units. RESOLVED: To endorse the ‘Improving Cardiff City Centre Daytime Users’ Experiences’ draft report, for submission to the Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: i. to note the approach to developing the Committee’s work programme for 2026-27, and that a final version of the programme will be brought back to the Committee for formal approval to note the schedule of committee dates, detailed in points 16 and 17 of the report.
The Committee considered a report outlining the process for developing its Work Programme for 2026–27 and the schedule of Committee meetings for the forthcoming year. Members noted the Committee's terms of reference, the outcomes of the Council's Peer Performance Assessment 2025, and the actions being taken to strengthen scrutiny work programming. The Committee was advised that a Work Programming Forum would be held on 26 June 2026 to identify and prioritise potential topics for inclusion in the Work Programme, with a draft programme to be presented to the Committee in September 2026 for approval. RESOLVED: i. to note the approach to developing the Committee’s work programme for 2026-27, and that a final version of the programme will be brought back to the Committee for formal approval to note the schedule of committee dates, detailed in points 16 and 17 of the report.
Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings
None received.
7th July 2026, 4.30pm.
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