Agenda item

The Committee considered a Joint Report of Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services and Director of Transformation and Partnerships that presented the Annual Report 2018/19 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategic Manager Partnerships highlighted the initiatives that had taken place to achieve the strategic objectives in the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and gave some examples across the following priorities:-

·        Children and young people make healthy choices and have the best start in life

·        Reduce health inequalities and early deaths

·        Improve the quality of life, independence and care and support for people with long term conditions

·        Improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the population

·        Protect vulnerable people from harm

·        Support people to die in the place of their choice with the care and support that they need

Future challenges were also highlighted and the continued threat of cuts to Public Health funding.

Further to a question from Councillor Henderson, the Director of Public Health explained that historically more men smoked than women however this has now balanced out.  She went on to advise that the Local Tobacco Alliance would refresh their strategy in 2020 to help achieve the target of 5% by 2025.

Councillor Temple asked how a smoker was defined and if vapers were also classed as smokers.  The Director of Public Health said that anyone who vaped were classed as non-smokers as the liquid did not contain tar.  She added that people would not be encouraged to start vaping if they did not smoke but that it was used as an alternative to help people stop smoking. 

Members were concerned about the safety aspects of vaping and the Director of Public Health confirmed that the products were highly regulated in this country and had to pass rigorous quality and safety standards.

Councillor Quinn commented that the price of soft drinks were really high and that when looking at reducing the intake of alcohol, this should be considered as did not deter people from opting for an alcoholic drink as these were often cheaper.

Resolved:

(i)           That the Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2018/19 be agreed.

(ii)          That the timeline and next steps outlined in the report be noted.

(iii)         That the intention to include more performance information in the Annual Report to demonstrate the impact, be noted.