Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Adult Social Services.

The report of the Director of Adult Social Services presented the latest working draft of the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan for 2009 to 2012.  This plan would replace the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Plan 2005 to 2008 and build on partnership priorities that had already been consulted on and agreed in the Leeds Strategic Plan.  It was reported that the Plan had been brought to Scrutiny Boards prior to submission to the Executive Board and full Council.

The Chair welcomed John England, Deputy Director, Adult Social Services and Mike Simpkin, Public Health Strategy Manager to the meeting.

It was reported that the plan was still a working.  The plan would go to Executive Board in March 2009 and full Council for approval in April 2009.  Members attention was also brought to the action plan that had been developed.

The Board was given a presentation on the Health and Wellbeing Partnership plan.  The presentation focused on the following issues:

• Visions and Strategic Outcomes – Emphasis on reducing inequalities in health
• Areas of Action – Developed in 3 main themes:
  • Influences on Health
  • The Lives People Lead
  • The Services People Use

• Ward Mortality – differences in life expectancy across Leeds
• Four Main Strategic Objectives:
  • Reducing Health Inequalities
  • Improving Quality of Life
  • Enhanced Safety and Support for Vulnerable People
  • Inclusive Communities

• Improvement Priorities – linked to Leeds Strategic Plan priorities.
• Key Connections – delivery of health and wellbeing outcomes working across a number of plans, services and strategies.
• How to Deliver Priorities – Strategic Lead Teams, joint commissioning and working between NHS Leeds and the Council, integrated services, locality working, links to the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).
• Current and Emerging Challenges – changing demographics and ageing population leading to different health issues.
• Action Planning and Examples of Action – including the provision of services, influences on health, preventative measures, physical activity and strengthening partnerships at local level.

Further to the presentation and in response to Members’ comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Infant mortality rates – it was reported that these were higher in areas of deprivation.
• Progress on health issues in recent years – while it was recognised there had been significant improvements, there was a need to intensify this improvement.
• Alcohol and licensing issues – when the Licensing Act 2005 was introduced, there was no provision for considering health issues in relation to licensing applications.  There had since been amendments to allow this and it was noted that there had been a recent decrease in the number of licensed premises across Leeds.  There was however, concern regarding the sale of alcohol from off licensed premises and the possible affects on health.
• The role of locality enablers – there would be 3  locality enablers based across the 3 Area Management teams and these would work closely with appointed Health and Wellbeing champions to help deliver improvement priorities at local level to meet local needs.  It was suggested that the locality enablers should report to Area Committee to keep Elected Members involved and informed of health issues.  Concern was expressed at the need and cost of additional staffing and that the Council should be taking a holistic approach at this stage.  It was reported that other Council Directorates outside those relating to Health and Social Care had been involved including those with responsibility for highways and sports facilities and it was confirmed that locality enablers would report to Area Committees.
• Work with employers – work had been undertaken with NHS Leeds and a Workplace Health Award Scheme had been introduced.  It was hoped to extend this before the end of 2009.
• Physical activity and links to childhood obesity, lack of facilities for physical activity and loss of areas for physical activity due to new developments, particularly in areas of deprivation.  It  was reported that the Physical Activity Strategy had been launched in December 2008 and steps to measure physical activity had been implemented.
• The role of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector and how it could contribute to joint working, particularly on a local level and how to attract the involvement of smaller VCFS organisations.
• Conditions such as diabetes and coronary heart disease and how these could affect specific communities.
• Alcohol and drug misuse, particularly among young people and treatment for related health problems.

RESOLVED – That the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development drafts a response from the Board, regarding the key concerns and issues discussed in relation to the draft Health and Wellbeing Plan 2009-12 and prior to its submission to Executive Board.