Leisure

At a time when the Council finances are under so much pressure, it is difficult to maintain services where the Council has no legal obligation. However liberal Democrats recognise the importance of leisure and cultural services in defining the character of a community and providing an outlet for the talents of local residents. Liberal Democrats will seek innovative ways to maintain and promote these services. 

Leisure centres in Hillingdon could be so much more. 

• Liberal Democrats will work with operators to expand their role as community anchors, hosting more coffee mornings, holiday clubs for children, and social events for teenagers. 

Libraries and leisure centres are public spaces. They could be creative spaces too. 

• Liberal Democrats will fund an Artist in Residence programme, placing visual artists, writers, and musicians in council venues to create work, run workshops, and engage residents who would not otherwise encounter the arts.

The Home Library Service delivers books to residents who cannot visit a library. It is a lifeline for housebound older people and those with disabilities. But it is under-resourced.

• Liberal Democrats will expand the service, increasing its reach and frequency, and explore partnerships with voluntary groups to deliver companionship alongside books.

The government has declared 2026 the National Year of Reading. 

• Liberal Democrats will capitalise on this by establishing an annual Hillingdon Reading Festival, bringing together local authors, libraries, schools, and bookshops for a week of events, readings, and storytelling. 

Every secondary school in Hillingdon has a drama club, a band, or a choir. Few have access to a professional stage. 

• Liberal Democrats will establish a "Right to Perform" programme, guaranteeing every secondary school child the opportunity to perform in a professional venue at least once during their schooling.

Rapid changes in technology are changing the structure of employment and require a new response by employers and job seekers.

• Liberal Democrats will host an annual Creative Industries Careers Fair, bringing together graphic designers, set builders, arts administrators, heritage conservators, theatre technicians, art therapists, digital illustrators, and museum curators, etc., to show young people the range of careers available in the sector.

The Council’s parks and open spaces are a vital asset for the community and must be maintained.

• Liberal Democrats would like to encourage the formation of ‘friends’ groups for each of these spaces to ensure that they reflect interests of their local communities

Hillingdon has theatres in Hayes, Ickenham and Ruislip with an outdoor performance space in Barra Hall Park. The Beck in Hayes is run by a private commercial company. These are a great asset to the cultural life of the borough. 

• Liberal Democrats will work with the managers and users to ensure our theatres remain open.
• Liberal Democrats will work with the managers and users to increase the awareness of our theatres and the performances available, especially to younger audiences