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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
1.1 The Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting. 1.2 Apologies were received from Councillor Gaynor James.
2.1 There were no interests declared.
3.1 The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 July 2026 were confirmed as an accurate record.
4.1 The TLS went through the action sheet, there were no outstanding actions, Members noted the Action Sheet.
5.1 The Chair introduced the officers and thanked them for the recent visit to Cwmbran Stadium, before the EM introduced the report. The EM explained that the report assessed Halo Leisure’s performance during the first 12 months of the ten-year contract against the Management Agreement and Annual Delivery Plan. She acknowledged that further work was required to improve performance data and demonstrate the wider health, wellbeing and community impact and emphasised that Halo had spent its first year establishing stable foundations and that future development needed to be ambitious, sustainable and achievable. The Chair then proceeded to questions. 5.2 In response to Members’ questions the officers and EM provided the following answers: • SR explained that investment by a local competitor was likely to have suppressed first-year participation in Cwmbran. Halo had responded by extending and improving the gym provision and would continue to consider further investment to remain competitive. • SR explained that investment by a local competitor was likely to have suppressed first-year participation in Cwmbran. Halo had responded by extending and improving the gym provision and would continue to consider further investment to remain competitive. In response to a followup question on whether participation information could be broken down by individual facility to help identify where further effort or investment might be required, SR confirmed that future reports could provide breakdowns by facility and activity, alongside membership and course enrolment figures. He added that data migration from the previous provider had created some first-year anomalies and that work was continuing to establish a reliable baseline. • SR explained that access-control limitations meant some regular customers might not always record their attendance. Customer feedback was still collected and reviewed, and an independent mystery shopper exercise had been completed. Technical issues affecting Reviews.io at one centre had prevented a complete Net Promoter Score, but the wider customer feedback remained available. • OT confirmed that the underlying customer satisfaction data had not been lost. Halo’s IT Manager was working on the reporting issue and it was expected that the KPI dashboard would be updated within approximately two weeks. • The EM agreed that more detailed information was needed on participation by residents living in deprived communities, disabled people, people with protected characteristics and residents from different geographical areas. This would help demonstrate Halo’s contribution to the Council’s Marmot and health inequality objectives. There was a followup question on what more could be done to improve engagement with underrepresented groups. The EM advised that this would be strengthened during the second year through work such as reviewing concessions, considering support for foster carers and other groups, and establishing user groups to help co-produce services. Any arrangements would need to be consistent, targeted, achievable and sustainable. • The HoC&W advised that the National Exercise Referral Scheme had exceeded its target. Future evaluation would need to focus on the outcomes being prevented or improved, whether the appropriate residents were participating and whether longer-term demand on health and care services reduced. • OT advised that partnership working with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board was developing. Neurophysiotherapy provision had expanded and teams covering weight management, pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation and musculoskeletal services had shown interest in using leisure facilities. Halo’s longer-term aspiration was for health professionals to be physically based within the centres. • In response to a question on how the Executive Member could further support links between Halo, the Council and the Health Board, the EM identified the Health Determinants Research Collaboration as a potential source of research and data support, including assistance with targeting interventions and developing research capability. The HoC&W added that wider strategic partnership discussions provided further opportunities to strengthen the preventative health agenda. • The HoC&W acknowledged that further work was required to evidence social prescribing and community referrals. She explained that QR codes in GP surgeries signposted residents to Connect Torfaen and could provide trackable information. OT added that Halo would work with the Council and other partners to identify proportionate measures covering referral sources, programmes accessed and outcomes. • The HoC&W explained that the Council’s early intervention and prevention model would identify needs and gaps before working with residents, community capacity builders and relevant specialists to co-produce responses. SR added that Halo supported this approach and regarded leisure facilities as important community assets whose success depended on partnership working. • The EM outlined how Members could support community promotion, including using their community networks and social media channels, and agreed to explore promotional material that Members could share. The Chair observed that the full range of facilities was not sufficiently visible. OT agreed that promotion could be improved but noted that capacity also needed to be considered and the EM added that oversubscribed activities should not be promoted beyond the places available. Members then asked that the range of activities be promoted more widely and the EM agreed this would be explored and that the service should balance demand across different demographic groups. • confirmed that the contract contained defined social value and community benefit commitments. A formal system was available to record evidence and more robust reporting was expected from 2026/27. • SR explained that the Easy Membership scheme provided discounted access to residents receiving qualifying means-tested benefits. At the time of the meeting, 185 residents were using it. Adults and couples could qualify and children could receive discounted course access where their parents were eligible. He added that future evaluation could compare the eligible local population with membership uptake and assess attendance frequency, retention and activities used. • SR advised that inclusive swimming provision for autistic and neurodivergent children would be developed with local partners, schools, parent networks and specialist groups. A funding application had progressed through the expression-of-interest stage with the Cwmbran Futures Board and could support a 2027 launch. Modifications to the sensory environment and specialist staff training might be required. SR agreed to provide details of the local partners involved. The EM added that she would be willing to assist with this work. • OT advised that six volunteers had been recruited during 2025/26 to support swimming, gym-based activities and the ski slope. Halo had aimed to increase the Torfaen cohort to 12 during 2026/27 and had already reached 15. A volunteer driver scheme had also been introduced, with two drivers recruited. SR added information on Halo’s wider volunteering model and the opportunities to develop targeted programmes in Torfaen. The HoC&W further identified potential links with Torfaen Voluntary Alliance, local colleges, the Council’s employability service and programmes supporting young people at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training. • The EM emphasised the importance of volunteering, community-led delivery and co-production to the future success of the leisure service. She considered that further partnership opportunities could be developed with local colleges and other organisations, while ensuring growth remained targeted, achievable and sustainable. • The HoC&W advised that regular financial information was considered through quarterly performance meetings. Long-term sustainability would be assessed through income, expenditure, capital investment returns and operational savings. The contract did not require Halo to become immediately self-sufficient without subsidy. • SR explained that the first-year health and safety audits had been deliberately robust and had identified no critical concerns. OT added that, following improvement work, Cwmbran Stadium’s score had increased to 74% and Pontypool Active Living Centre’s score to 83%. Halo aimed to achieve scores above 90%. • OT explained that Halo’s in-house regional technical team had enabled routine maintenance issues to be addressed more quickly and at lower cost. Recurring ski lift faults could generally now be attended within two or three days. SR added that Halo intended to work with the Council on a strategic capital investment plan to address ageing assets, improve capacity and reduce lifecycle costs. The Committee welcomed the improvements already made. • The HoC&W confirmed that relevant indicators from the Health, Sports and Fitness Strategy had been incorporated into Halo performance reporting and Council service planning. Further work would strengthen data quality and engagement, particularly with residents who did not currently use the facilities. • SR confirmed that volunteers added value and did not replace paid staff. Programmes involving volunteers continued to be led and supervised by paid employees. He also explained that Halo had restructured the inherited staffing model following consultation with employees, trade unions and the Council, with no compulsory redundancies. OT confirmed that the centres were fully staffed, staff turnover had reduced and the main recruitment difficulty was swimming teachers, reflecting an industry-wide shortage. • OT confirmed that Halo delivered swimming teacher training internally and could make paid public places available when operational requirements allowed. The Chair asked how these opportunities were advertised. OT explained that public places were promoted when courses were arranged to meet operational need, including through relevant sector channels. The HoC&W added that stronger links with the Council’s employability team could ensure residents were alerted to relevant opportunities. • The EM explained that she received regular performance information and considered that it had improved during the first year. The Committee commented that the site visit and scrutiny discussion had provided reassurance about Halo’s progress, and the EM agreed that the discussion had also assisted her oversight. There was a followup on whether safer and more secure cycle storage could be explored at Cwmbran Stadium, particularly for expensive bicycles and e-bikes. The EM agreed to discuss this with Halo and the Council’s Active Travel Team. There was a further comment that improved provision could encourage cycling and reduce pressure on the car park, and the EM acknowledged this and confirmed that the matter would be taken forward. • SR considered that most first-year targets had been met, with some exceeded and others requiring further work. He identified future priorities as stabilising the financial position, developing community programmes and pursuing strategic capital investment. The HoC&W added that the Council would continue to balance commercial sustainability with health, wellbeing and community objectives. 5.3 Officers & the EM then left the meeting and Members and the TLS and TD&MSO remained. 5.4 Recommendations Upon completion of their scrutiny activity, the Committee offered the following recommendations:- Recommendation 1:- The committee recommended the Executive Member, HALO and relevant Council officers work closely to review and strengthen the current performance framework. Focus should be prioritised on specific and measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate the social impact of leisure services in Torfaen. This should include measures relating to health and wellbeing outcomes, participation by underrepresented groups, community referrals, social inclusion and the wider benefits delivered to residents. Strengthening these indicators would provide greater assurance that the service is delivering against its social objectives and enable more effective monitoring of outcomes over time. Recommendation 2:- Members recommended the Executive Member encourage HALO to further develop targeted and evidence-based engagement campaigns aimed at groups and communities that are currently underrepresented in leisure service participation. This should include using participation data and local demographic information to identify opportunities for more focused outreach, helping to ensure promotional activity is tailored to the needs of specific audiences and supports increased access, inclusion and participation across the borough. Such engagement tools could include the use of short promotional videos for each leisure centre, showcasing the facilities, activities and services available. Recommendation 3:- The committee recommended the Executive Member support HALO to strengthen engagement and partnership working with local autism, neurodiversity and other relevant support groups to help inform the development of leisure programmes and facilities. This should include exploring opportunities for co-production, targeted consultation and tailored provision to ensure that leisure services are accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of neurodivergent residents, while supporting increased participation and positive wellbeing outcomes. Recommendation 4:- The Committee recommended the Executive Member work with HALO and relevant Council officers to further promote and support active travel to leisure facilities, including reviewing opportunities to improve the availability, security and accessibility of cycle parking and electric bike storage/charging facilities. Enhancing active travel infrastructure could encourage more sustainable travel choices, improve access to leisure services and support wider health, wellbeing and environmental objectives. Recommendation 5:- It was recommended the Executive Member, HALO and relevant Council officers work collaboratively with the Council's Employability Team to identify and develop opportunities that support skills, training, volunteering and employment pathways through leisure services. This should include exploring ways in which HALO facilities and programmes can contribute to employability objectives, particularly for young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) Additional Comments & Observations from the Committee: The Adults & Communities O&S Committee welcomed the progress made by HALO in the first year of the contract. The committee would welcome the opportunity to review progress through future annual scrutiny and would appreciate enhanced reporting in the areas set out below, to provide greater visibility of outcomes, performance and impact: • Breakdown of visits by leisure centre and activities accessed • Easy Membership affordability scheme take-up • Outcome information from Mystery Shoppers • Customer Satisfaction data • Social prescribing data including referral sources, types of activity referred to, demographic characteristics, geographical distribution, participation and retention rates, and outcomes • Staffing information, including turnover and volunteer numbers
6.1 The TLS presented the report, Members were happy to continue with the scheduled item.
7.1 The date of the next meeting was scheduled for the 12th November 2026 7.2 The meeting ended at 11.53am
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