Issue - meetings

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The partnership work themes identified by the Borough Council’s Health Action Team were set out in the report.  In addition, an update on both the recent Active People’s survey and the West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board was provided.

It was reported that three priority themes had been identified that reflected the Borough Council’s local health improvement needs:

-        Reducing obesity and increasing physical activity

-        Developing a Dementia Friendly Tonbridge

-        Preventing admissions to hospital due to falls in the home

Members noted the successful assessment for the Kent Healthy Business award and that the Borough Council was the only local authority in Kent to meet the standards required against all nine criteria at the ‘Commitment Level’.

Following consideration by the Communities Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)             the three work themes identified by the Health Action Team as its priorities, and set out above, be endorsed;

(2)             the results of the Active People’s survey be noted; and

(3)             staff across all Services be thanked for their hard work in achieving the ‘Commitment Level’ of the Kent Healthy Business award as an important step in reinforcing the importance of the health and wellbeing of employees.

Decision Notice D150067MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health described the partnership work themes identified by the Borough Council’s Health Action Team. In addition, an update on both the recent Active People’s survey and the West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board was provided.

The three priority themes identified reflected the Borough Council’s local health improvement needs:

-        Reducing obesity and increasing physical activity

-        Developing a Dementia Friendly Tonbridge

-        Preventing admissions to hospital due to falls in the home

Members noted the successful assessment for the Kent Healthy Business award and that the Borough Council was the only local authority in Kent to meet the standards required against all nine criteria at the ‘Commitment Level’.  This success had been due to the hard work and contribution of all Services across the organisation.

Details of the Active People’s survey were highlighted and it was reported that the local results were encouraging and underlined the work undertaken by Leisure Services, the Health Improvement Team and external partners.

Particular reference was made to the financial pressures faced by Kent County Council Public Health Service and Members were advised of a potential 10% reduction in budget funding.  This would represent a significant challenge in delivering health and wellbeing outcomes.

Members discussed concerns around obesity in young children, the implications of air quality on health and whether sheltered housing accommodation could be considered for future developments.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the three work themes identified by the Health Action Team as its priorities, and set out above, be endorsed;

(2)             the results of the Active People’s survey be noted; and

(3)             staff across all Services be thanked for their hard work in achieving  the ‘Commitment Level’ of the Kent Healthy Business award as an important step in reinforcing the importance of health and wellbeing of employees.