Agenda item

RESOLVED:

That the ‘Mind The Gap’ Health Inequalities Action Plan 2015-19 be adopted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

In line with countywide public health responsibilities, this plan demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership with local stakeholders to improve health outcomes for people living and working in Tunbridge Wells, by having a greater understanding of local needs and services available to help achieve our priorities.

Councillor Weatherly introduced the report and thanked all of the individuals who took part in developing it.

Sarah Richards, Healthy Lifestyles Co-ordinator, added the following comments:

·         Development of the Plan started with partners from across health and social care coming together to identify all the health care provision in Tunbridge Wells.

·         It was important to develop a local plan that would focus on the specific needs of Tunbridge Wells, in addition to Kent as a whole as outlined in Kent County Council’s Mind the Gap plan.

·         The Heath Team was supported by a devolved budget from Kent County Council which enabled the team to work in the community and rural areas. It also formed the leading part of the Heath Action Team which coordinated partners from Planning, Housing, Community Safety and externally that delivered services in Tunbridge Wells.

Mrs Richards then explained each of the six health inequalities which included the following comments:

·         Self Harm – which supported the Government’s plans to reduce suicide.

o   Rates were significantly higher in Tunbridge Wells than the England average.

o   Not necessarily linked to disadvantage as also affected affluent areas.

o   Working with partners to deliver a targeted programme in schools.

·         Winter deaths

o   Anticipating a rise in the population aged over 65 years.

o   Older people were more susceptible due to social isolation and reduced mobility.

o   High proportion of owner-occupancy houses in Tunbridge Wells which are less efficient to heat.

·         Falls

o   Linked to age.

o   Higher levels in Tunbridge Wells than England average.

·         Obesity

o   The team was delivering a number of adult and family weight management plans.

o   Rates of child obesity doubled between the ages of 5 and 11 which lead to further problems into adulthood.

·         Smoking

o   The leading cause of preventable death and disease.

o   Numbers of smokers had increased since 2010.

·         Alcohol related harm

o   The Community Safety Strategic Plan had a number of initiatives to reduce hospital admissions and other problems.

Mrs Richards confirmed that the Health Inequalities Action Plan both identified and gave the rationale behind each of the health priorities and set out the actions to tackle them. Progress would be monitored by the Health Action Team, chaired by Councillor Weatherly and supported by the Health Team.

Councillor Jukes highlighted how the high prevalence of alcohol in the Culverden ward, as identified in the report, could have been explained due to the fact that the area, encompassing the centre of the town, had a high density of public houses and bars. Mrs Richards agreed to amend the report to provide an explanation for this particular figure.

Councillor March advised that the Plan had been seen by the Communities Cabinet Advisory Board twice, and Mrs Richards had made the necessary amendments, which demonstrated the time and care that had been taken over it. The document was now strongly supported.

Councillor Barrington-King agreed, and thanked everyone for their work on it.

Councillor Jukes asked whether the Cabinet should approve or adopt the Plan. Councillor March recommended that the Cabinet adopt it, because it should underlie other Council policies. Members agreed that the recommendation be changed from approval to adoption.

RESOLVED – That the ‘Mind The Gap’ Health Inequalities Action Plan 2015-19 be adopted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

In line with countywide public health responsibilities, this plan demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership with local stakeholders to improve health outcomes for people living and working in Tunbridge Wells, by having a greater understanding of local needs and services available to help achieve our priorities.