Agenda item

To receive the report of the Area Lead, Health and Wellbeing, providing an update on Public Health

The East Inner Area Committee (EIAC)Health and Wellbeing Lead presented a report outlining the action being taken to discharge the statutory responsibilities of Leeds City Council to lead and deliver the public health agenda. The report also raised awareness of the role of the Area Lead for Health and Wellbeing and provided information on the current position regarding public health work within the EIAC locality. Members’ comments were sought on the direction for the future development of the public health agenda in the EIAC locality

Councillor Harington, Health and Wellbeing Area Lead introduced Lucy Jackson, Consultant in Public Health and Liz Bailey Health & Wellbeing Improvement Manager. Discussion followed on the key trends pertinent to the EIAC area, including:

·  The demographic of the area

·  The premature death and low life expectancy rates recorded across the EIAC area

·  Mortality rates recorded in specific areas and within specific groups in the EAIC area

·  Childhood obesity

·  Diabetes

·  Alcohol misuse

·  Mental health issues

Councillor Harington highlighted that a clear steer was sought from the Area Committee (AC) to influence and target resources appropriately to tackle priority concerns in the area, thus supporting the Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy. Members considered the following:

Childhood Poverty and its far reaching impact in terms of life expectancy, health issues, and education. In recognition that the issue of poverty could not be tackled by the AC alone, Members agreed that FOOD should be a key priority. Members expressed concern over the reported removal of the “deprivation indicator” from the calculations for local authority budgets and the likely impact this would have on the health and wellbeing of inner city areas

Premature Deaths and specifically the ROLE OF GPs and effective diagnosis; and the need for consistency of approach through care offered by GPs. Members were keen to receive the views of local GPs on the health statistics for the area and information on what measures were being employed by GPs to address the issues raised

The barriers to accessing leisure/fitness facilities. It was noted that there were no leisure facilities within the Burmantofts & Richmond Hill Ward. Councillor Harington reported that work was being done through the Leeds Let’s Get Active initiative to assess the uptake of leisure facilities and that, once that research was available, Members would be in a better position to consider measures to promote usage and healthy lifestyles, tailoring the offer to the local communities through co-ordination of services.

Furthermore, Members considered whether the AC should write to the Secretary of State for Health regarding the reported removal of the “deprivation indicator” from the calculations for local authority budgets. It was agreed that officers would liaise with Councillor Mulherin, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing; in order not to duplicate any action already undertaken

RESOLVED -

a)  To note the changes in terms of Leeds City Council’s responsibility around public health

b)  To recognise and support the Area Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing role

c)  That the following suggestions as areas of priority for the future development of the public health agenda be noted:

·  Childhood poverty – to concentrate on ensuring availability of food

·  Premature death rates – to liaise with local GPs

d)  To request that a further report on the availability and uptake of leisure facilities by residents of the locality, following the Leeds Let’s Get Active review,  be presented in due course

e)  To note that officers will liaise with Councillor Mulherin, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing, regarding  the proposal to write to the Secretary of State for Health