Agenda item

The Director of Adult Social Care, Mr Sinclair, and the Consultant in Public Health, Ms Howell-Jones, introduced a report that updated Members on the progress of the previous scrutiny review of childhood obesity, outlined the proposed new obesity strategy for Slough and identified potential areas for any Task & Finish Group to research.

The report detailed the progress made on the ten recommendations of the review carried out in 2013 including actions on the location of fast food outlets, nutrition in schools and promotion of physical activity.  It was noted that a significant amount of work had been undertaken since the review, although it was difficult to directly attribute this activity to the prevalence of obesity.  Slough did not currently have a strategy to address obesity and the public health team was therefore in the process of developing a new obesity strategy focusing on cross-Slough ambition, an exemplar Council and public health intervention programme.  It was recommended that the Committee establish a Task & Finish Group to research and make recommendations on how Slough Borough Council could become an exemplar Council by building on the work currently undertaken by the Employee Wellbeing Board.

The headline childhood obesity performance indicators were ‘red’ rated in the Council’s Corporate Balanced Scorecard, however, the Committee was informed that progress was being made on other related targets as a result of the work being carried out.  Members particularly emphasised the importance of working with children in secondary schools and Officers summarised some of the work that was being done to promote activity and healthy eating.  A survey was currently being undertaken with secondary schools to collate further information and it was agreed that the results would be sent to Committee Members when available.

Members noted the progress that had been made in response to the previous scrutiny review and welcomed the development of a new obesity strategy for Slough.  It was agreed that the Committee establish a Task & Finish Group focused on making Slough Borough Council and exemplar Council in relation to health promotion and that the draft Terms of Reference for this review should be considered by the Committee in November 2017.

(Councillors Holledge and Sarfraz left the meeting)

Resolved –

(a)  That a Task and Finish Group be established to develop and implement a programme of work which aimed to make Slough Borough Council an exemplar Council with regards to helping staff and members maintain and improve their health.

(b)  That the Task and Finish Group’s Terms of Reference be submitted to the November 2017 Committee meeting for approval.