Agenda item

Councillor Batho addressed the Committee on this item.

In summary, Councillor Batho made reference to the following points which were responded to accordingly by the Cabinet Member and relevant officers:

·       Reminded the committee of two health-related motions he had submitted to Council in the last 18 months.

·       The first motion proposed reducing speed limits to 20 mph, debated on 18^th January 2023 which called for: Support of the ’20 is plenty’ campaign; requested that Hampshire County Council (HCC) implement a 20mph limit throughout the Winchester District and make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas; Supported Parish Council’s seeking 20mph zones; An extended 20mph area in the city centre to support active travel; and asked the Leader to write to HCC Councillors to support these changes.

·       The second motion, debated on 30^th November 2023, addressed vaping products and supported the Local Government Association’s call for a ban on the sale and manufacture of disposable vapes by 2024; proposed regulating disposable vaping products through the Environmental Protection Act; that the Leader write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to support the ban and suggested the council respond to future consultations supporting the ban.

·       Both motions were passed by the Council at their respective meetings.

·       Made reference to HCC Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP 4), published in February and the plans aims to achieve better outcomes for the economy, environment and society with an environmentally friendly transport system, active travel and active lifestyles, advocates for planning that prioritises people over vehicles and suggests using a “Healthy Streets” approach, focusing on public health in transport and planning.

·       Councillor Batho asked the committee to consider including the “Healthy Streets” approach in the council’s health priorities.

The Chairperson welcomed Mike Newman from the Public Health Team at Hampshire County Council to the meeting who, together with the Corporate Head of Economy and Community, provided a presentation which included the context of how the council operated with its wide range of partners - agencies, institutions and stakeholders, setting out high level data to understand performance, and proposals for health priorities to test against existing and emerging strategies, policies and plans and map against the work of the council to continue to generate health benefits, both directly and indirectly.

Officer’s sought the committee’s views to identify clear health priorities for the district and an understanding of the council’s role in how it could support, facilitate and improve those priorities. Councillor Becker emphasised that the council was asked to develop a strategic approach to decide where it focussed its resources and priorities and identify the right places to achieve the maximum outcome.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and comment on the following matters which were responded to by the Cabinet Member, Mike Newman and the Corporate Head of Economy and Community.

(a)       A question was asked about the lack of quantitative data in the Joint         Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), specifically regarding causality,         and how this affects the understanding and subsequent actions.

(b)       Clarification was sought on the inclusion of certain risk factors for          children, such as access to good quality food, and the impact of Musculoskeletal (MSK) waiting lists on adult morbidity and mental health

(c)       Further clarification was requested on the decision-making process for       determining the importance and influence levels of health priorities,    particularly diet and weight.

(d)       Questions were raised regarding the high levels of anxiety reported and the role of social prescribing, including the use of green and blue       spaces as therapeutic measures.

(e)       Clarification was sought on the involvement of rural-facing agencies and the farming community in the health priorities discussion.

(f)         Concerns were raised about the impact of switching off the Public           Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) landline in rural areas and the associated stress for residents with poor mobile network coverage.

(g)       Further information was requested on the adequacy of digital hubs and their role in addressing social isolation among the aging population.

(h)       Questions were raised regarding the adequacy of pharmacies and food    insecurity, particularly access to reasonably priced, good quality fresh           produce locally.

(i)         Clarification was sought on the definitions and data behind food        insecurity, fuel poverty, deprivation, and income benefits, and how       these factors interrelate.

(j)         A question was asked about the sharing of best practices among local   authorities, particularly regarding effective interventions for weight and           diet.

(k)       Further clarification was requested on how the council ensures   equitable distribution of sports facilities and resources, particularly in         areas of need.

(l)         Concerns were raised about the council’s ability to influence road    safety, cost of living, child poverty, and community safety and crime,   suggesting these might be rated too high in terms of influence.

(m)     A question was asked about the importance and influence of air quality   and how it relates to the council’s climate change initiatives.

(n)       Clarification was sought on the next steps for progressing the health priorities and when the committee would see concrete proposals and    results.

At the conclusion of debate, the committee supported the process carried out to date, welcomed future updates and thanked Mike Newman and officers for their attendance and providing an informative presentation.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the presentation be received, and the comments raised by          the committee, as summarised above, be noted.