Issue - meetings

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

The report sets a proposed response to the CleaR assessment on Stockport’s work on Tobacco Control. CLeaR (Challenge, Leadership, Results) is an improvement model which provides local government and its partners with a structured, evidence-based approach to achieving excellence in local tobacco control. The model comprised a self-assessment questionnaire, backed by an optional challenge and assessment process from a team of expert and peer assessors. Stockport opted to undertake the full assessment process.

The Board is invited to endorse the recommended responses to the CleaR Assessment as set out in the report.

Officer contact: Mary Brooks, 0161 474 2455, mary.brooks@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Board of the outcome the CleaR assessment of tobacco control in Stockport, including the proposed response to their recommendations on improvements to local activity. The Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee had considered the report and their comments/ recommendations were contained in the report.

Members of the Board discussed the report and the assessment and agreed with the views of the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the size and scope any reformed Tobacco Control Alliance, suggesting instead that smaller focussed groups be created to undertake specific projects or work.

There was also agreement that tobacco control plans should form part of the Health & Wellbeing Strategy or Public Health Business Plan, rather than a discrete plan in its own right.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the following response to the CleaR proposals be approved:-

·         the recreation of a Tobacco Control Alliance for the purposes of raising awareness but with detailed work being undertaken by smaller focussed groups;

·         that the tobacco control plan be incorporated into the next Health & Wellbeing Strategy;

·         that the Council Executive be recommended to give consideration to signing the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

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

The report sets a proposed response to the CleaR assessment on Stockport’s work on Tobacco Control. CLeaR (Challenge, Leadership, Results) is an improvement model which provides local government and its partners with a structured, evidence-based approach to achieving excellence in local tobacco control. The model comprised a self-assessment questionnaire, backed by an optional challenge and assessment process from a team of expert and peer assessors. Stockport opted to undertake the full assessment process.

The Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and is invited to comment on the response to the CleaR assessment prior to consideration of the report by the Health & wellbeing Board, and to recommend that they endorse the recommended responses to the CleaR Assessment.

Officer contact: Mary Brooks, 0161 474 2455, mary.brooks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Scrutiny Committee of the outcome the CleaR assessment of tobacco control in Stockport, including the proposed response to their recommendations on improvements to local activity.

Overall the assessment process found that the work taking place between partners in Stockport was positive, but the assessment also made recommendations on improvements.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In relation to the recommendation to re-establish a Tobacco Control Alliance, councillors emphasised the need for an effective partnership arrangement that could deliver meaningful leadership and change. There were concerns that the proposed membership was too broad and that without a tightly defined agenda the group would have limited impact. Further work to refine this response was suggested.

·         In relation to the recommendation to sign the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control, councillors discussed whether this was a tokenistic gesture. It was commented that Stockport was more active in its tobacco control activity than some authorities that had signed the declaration.

·         Councillors discussed the merits of implementing a ‘refusal book’ system when underage tobacco sales were refused and the details recorded. This would allow for greater monitoring of retailers in the same way as alcohol sales were.

·         There was discussion about the dangers of e-cigarettes and their potential merit as a tobacco substitute/ cessation tool.

·         Previous commitments to prohibiting smoking near council controlled play areas was discussed although the difficulties of enforcement were also highlighted.

·         The importance of targeted work was highlighted, particularly in relation to priority areas and of areas of deprivation, where rates of smoking and related harm were high. Councillors also discussed the balance between preventative work and cessation activity and its efficacy.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and the findings of the CleaR Assessment on tobacco control in Stockport be noted.

(2) That the Health & Wellbeing Board be informed that in relation to the proposed response to the CleaR Assessment Recommendations, the Scrutiny Committee was of the view that:-

·           Any re-establishment of a Tobacco Control Alliance should ensure the group was outcome focussed and that consideration should be given to a more limited membership than proposed in the report;

·           The development of three year plan for tobacco control would be welcomed, but that further consideration be given to incorporating this within the Health & Wellbeing Strategy or Council Plan;

·           The value in signing the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control was recognised, but that this should only be done if there were to be a clear link with activity and outcomes;

·           Further consideration should be given to reviewing the level of spend on smoking prevention within the context of other substance misuse prevention and treatment expenditure.

(3) That the Health & Wellbeing Board be recommended to give further consideration to the following suggestions with a view to recommending them to the appropriate executive councillor:-

(i)     The introduction of a local policy for the provision of a ‘refusal book’ for underage tobacco sales for licensed premises and to explore collaboration with other Greater Manchester authorities to develop and implement such a policy.

(ii)    Undertaking a pilot project to prohibit the smoking of tobacco in the vicinity of Council play areas and to explore cost-effective means of enforcement of such a restriction.