Agenda item

To conduct the first session of the scrutiny inquiry on the role of the Leeds Let’s Get Active Scheme in promoting public health.

The Board carried out the first session of its inquiry focused on the role of the Leeds Let’s Get Active scheme in promoting public health. Members were provided with two reports which provided background information on the scheme and details of the proposed programme to be launched in October 2013.

In attendance to address the Board and answer Members’ questions were:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Leisure and Skills

-  Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing

-  Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles

-  Sue Haigh, Active Lifestyles Manager

-  Anna Frearson, Public Health Consultant.

Mark Allman presented a brief overview of the proposed programme, which aims to get the inactive active, highlighting the three separate strands of:

·  Free offer in leisure centres (doubled at sites in more deprived areas)

·  Free offer in community settings

·  Discounted offer via Bodyline (Bodyline Access Scheme)

He also outlined the research element of the project and reminded the Board that the overall scheme had been designed to meet Sport England’s funding criteria. Details of the governance arrangements for the scheme were provided and Members were also made aware of some of the benefits already being seen through closer working between City Development and health and public health colleagues.

The Executive Members stressed the importance of this pilot project in tackling health inequalities in the city, and also indicated that where possible other sources of funding would be sought to provide additional activities to complement the scheme.

Members raised the following issues in discussion:

·  The aims and objectives of the scheme were strongly welcomed

·  The importance of targeting the marketing of the scheme

·  The closure of East Leeds Leisure Centre and the impact on motivating  local communities to access sports centre facilities

·  Potential transport barriers and the need to keep this under review as the project progresses

·  The geographic spread of the offer and concerns that some key target communities in terms of health deprivation would not have easy access to the scheme as currently proposed, including people living in pockets of deprivation within more affluent parts of the city

·  A query as to whether the NHS might allow the facilities at Quarry Hill to be included in the free offer, given their interest in health improvement

·  The needs of non-geographic communities that are identified as suffering from health deprivation, for example gypsies and travellers, and those wishing to access single sex sessions, to meet cultural and faith needs

·  The support to individuals that would be trialled as part of the scheme

·  The importance of sustainability, so that people who take part continue to be active

·  The use of cards to monitor take up and usage of the scheme

·  The importance of gathering both qualitative and quantitative data as part of the research element of the project

·  The important role of partners including health professionals, third sector partners and ward members

·  The potential interest from Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to extend exercise on prescription opportunities.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser produce a summary of the Board’s views to be included in the report to the Executive Board in September 2013.

b)  That the Chair of the Board write to the NHS with regard to possible inclusion of the Quarry Hill facilities in the scheme.

(Councillor J McKenna left the meeting at 10.30am during discussion of the above item.)