Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

The 21^st Annual Public Health Report for Stockport for 2013/14 has now been produced and is submitted to the Executive for their consideration and response. The Report has been published in three levels – an overview (level one), key messages (levels two) and full analyses (level three). Levels one and two have been included in the agenda. The full analyses has not been included in the agenda due to its size, but can be viewed online at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s35926/21st%20PH%20Report%20-%20Level%203%20-%20Full%20Analyses.pdf

The Executive is invited to receive the report and request officers prepare a response to the recommendations made to the Council.

Officer contact: Dr Steve Watkins, 0161 474 2436, stephen.watkins@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the highlights and key messages from his 21^st Annual Public Health Report for Stockport for 2013/14. The report also contained a number of recommendations for improving the health of residents in the Borough.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) commended the work of the Council’s Sustainability Team in achieving Sustainable Food City Status for Stockport.

RESOLVED – (1) That the 21^st Annual Public Health Report for Stockport for 2013/14 be noted and the Director of Public Health be thanked for the preparation of the report.

(2) That the Chief Executive, in consultation with appropriate corporate directors and executive councillors, be requested to prepare a response to the 21^st Annual Public Health Report for Stockport for 2013/14 and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

Included with the agenda are the overview and key messages (Levels One and Two respectively) of the 21^st Annual Public Health Report for Stockport for 2013/14.

The full analyses report (Level Three) has not been included in the agenda due to its size, but can be viewed online at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s35926/21st%20PH%20Report%20-%20Level%203%20-%20Full%20Analyses.pdf

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Dr Steve Watkins, 0161 474 2436, stephen.watkins@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview and the key messages from the 21st Annual Report of the Director of Public Health.

The Director highlighted that the health of the population of Stockport was broadly in line with national averages, although there remained significant inequalities.

Members welcomed the report and the analysis contained therein.

The following comments were made/ issues were raised:-

·         Members discussed the large scale public health challenges in the UK, and whether these had been tackled or were currently being tackled through legislative or infrastructure changes. Members commented that the issues still to be addressed, such as physical activity or healthy lifestyles, required a different approach to the ‘big’ challenges of the past, such as sanitation etc. In particular, members identified challenges to overcome institutional and commercial interests (sugar and salt in food) or to overcome ingrained behaviours (physical activities).

·         Improving healthy life expectancy was also identified as a particular challenge. Encouraging older people to remain physically active was emphasised, as was giving them opportunities to remain in work (if they wanted) or to volunteer and engage in social activities. Poor mental wellbeing was a key factor, and deprivation was a significant cause of poor mental health.

·         Members also discussed whether there was a likelihood of future generations having lower life/health life expectancy because of current levels of physical activity and poor diet. It was stated that there was conflict evidence but there was a growing body of opinion supporting this view.

RESOLVED – That the annual report of the Director of Public Health be welcomed.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

Included with the agenda are the overview and key messages (Levels One and Two respectively) of the 21^st Annual Public Health Report for Stockport for 2013/14.

The full analyses report (Level Three) has not been included in the agenda due to its size, but can be viewed online at http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s35926/21st%20PH%20Report%20-%20Level%203%20-%20Full%20Analyses.pdf

Officer contact: Dr Steve Watkins, 0161 474 2436, stephen.watkins@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview and the key messages from the 21st Annual Report of the Director of Public Health.

The Director highlighted that the health of the population of Stockport was broadly in line with national averages, although there remained significant inequalities.

The following comments were made/ issues were raised:-

·         The report very much accorded with the thinking of partners about the pertinent issues affecting the health of the Borough, although opinions may differ on the response to them and the priority they were given.

·         Previous reports had been taken account of by partners when developing other strategies and plans which demonstrated the value of the reports.

·         The effectiveness of children ‘nagging’ their parents to change their behaviour, particularly in relation to smoking, had been recognised. It was suggested that this technique also be employed for encouraging physical activity.

·         It was suggested that the development of healthy ageing programmes would be welcomed in the context of the integrated care model.

RESOLVED – That report be noted.