Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Communities and Health Advisory Board held on 23 September 2014

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Communities and Health Advisory Board held on 23 September 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the extraordinary meeting of the Communities and Health Advisory Board held on 8 October 2014

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the extraordinary meeting of the Communities and Health Advisory Board held on 8 October 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Decision Notice D140127MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health outlined the requirements of the Kent Healthy Business Award, funded by Kent County Council with the aim of helping employers focus on ways of improving the health and well-being of their workforce.  Details were given of the dual role of the Borough Council in the delivery and implementation of the Award, including its introduction to the business community and promotion of the Council itself as an exemplar organisation.

A presentation was received from Helen Buttevant and Julie Bullace of the KCC Public Health Team who provided an overview of the Award scheme and answered Members’ questions.

RECOMMENDED:  That the proposed approach to developing the Kent Healthy Business Award both within the Council and the local business community be endorsed.

Decision Notice D140128MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health described the range of Health Improvement projects for which Kent County Council funding had been awarded for the current year and reviewed their progress.  It was noted that the Borough Council’s annual health delivery programme was divided into three key elements involving Healthy Living Centre initiatives, healthy weight programmes and mental health, well-being and community-led programmes.

Particular reference was made to the challenges of addressing obesity in children and a number of suggestions for raising awareness were discussed.

RECOMMENDED:  That the delivery of the Health Improvement programmes as described in the report be endorsed.

Decision Notice D140129MEM

The report of the Chief Executive set out the background to the first phase of the Kent Troubled Families Programme, gave details of proposals for a national second phase programme and sought agreement to the Borough Council’s continued involvement in the work.

It was requested that appreciation be conveyed to those staff delivering the programme through the local family focus initiative.

RECOMMENDED:  That proposals for a phase 2 troubled families programme be noted and the Borough Council’s involvement in an extended family focus initiative based on the phase 2 proposals be supported.

Decision Notice D140130MEM

The report of the Chief Executive gave details of progress in relation to the work of the East Malling Partnership and consideration was given to the latest East Malling Action Plan, the key themes of which were Youth Provision, Raising Aspirations and General Health and Lifestyle.

RECOMMENDED:  That the current East Malling Partnership Action Plan, as set out at the Annex to the report, be endorsed and progress on the Action Plan be reported to a future meeting of the Advisory Board.

The minutes of the meeting of the West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board held on 16 September 2014 were presented for Members’ information.

Members received a report from the West Kent Tobacco Control and Smoking Cessation Working Group which had been presented to the meeting of the West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board on 16 September 2014.  It was noted that the number of referrals to the Stop Smoking Service was declining, possibly as a result of the extensive use of e-cigarettes.  Further work in this area was likely to be directed through a single Kent-wide group.

The minutes of the meeting of the Local Strategic Partnership held on 12 September 2014 were submitted for Members’ information.  Particular reference was made to the presentation from the Federation of Small Businesses which focused on the need to promote apprenticeships with local SMEs.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.