Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Director of Public Health.

This report outlines the rationale for the development of a Physical Activity strategy, summarises some of the key evidence base and gives an overview of the key objectives within which the strategy’s action plan has been developed.

The Board is asked to note and endorse the Stockport Physical Activity Strategy as a key mechanism for addressing physical inactivity within Stockport and impacting positively on the health of Stockport’s residents.

Officer contact: Russ Boaler, 0161 474 3941, russ.boaler@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Board to consider the draft Physical Activity Strategy for 2015-18.

The Strategy was accompanied by an Action Plan that would be monitored annually, and would complement the existing Stockport Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy and the developing Greater Manchester Physical Activity Strategy.

The Strategy was not solely concerned with encouraging people to be physical active but also to address the risks associated with being sedentary.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was recognised that there were limitations to the data on non-sport participation physical activity that could be collected to measure impact, particularly in relation to children and young people, but that it was important that this did not become a barrier to promoting the message and addressing this important public health challenge.

·         It was important to ensure that all frontline staff were aware of the aims of the Strategy, if not the detail, and that this would form part of the Making Every Contact Count agenda. It was also integral to the prevention agenda being pursued by partners in the health economy.

·         In relation to data on children and young people, there was a difficultly in retrieving data on physical activity, although good data was available on sports participation.

·         Links made in the Strategy between physical activity and social isolation, were welcomed, as was recognition of the need to address school travel. It was also important that the Council and NHS as the largest local employers led by example in promoting this agenda amongst its staff.

·         Consideration should be given to the accessibility to sports and leisure facilities, as increasing prices may be discouraging participation. Further signposting to facilities, such as schools, should be considered.

·         Given the significant impact physical activity can have on improving health, and the significant contribution sedentary behaviour can have on poor health, promoting this issue should be a high priority for partners.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Stockport Physical Activity Strategy 2015-18 be endorsed as a key mechanism for addressing physical inactivity within Stockport and impacting positively on the health of Stockport’s residents.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to circulate details of the Stockport Lifestyle Survey.