Decision details

The Executive considered a report that outlined the development of the Healthy Stevenage Strategy.

The Assistant Director (Communities & Neighbourhoods) informed the Executive that he had met with the Community Select Committee Members who had welcomed the strategy and had given positive feedback.

It was noted that SBC had secured a significant amount of funding since 2014 to support health initiatives in the Town.  The Strategic Director (Matthew Partridge) undertook to circulate details of this funding to Members of the Executive.

Members were of the view that there was a synergy between this Strategy and recently approved Cultural Strategy.  It was very positive that the two strategies were developing in tandem and that they could bring together all the relevant partner agencies.

It was noted that the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) played the key role in the health and wellbeing of the community.  However, but it was considered that the CCG could do more to address issues of depravation and inequality although it was accepted that other partners did recognise the impact of these issues on health.  There was particular concern that the CCG was responsible for a budget much larger than a district authority but there was seemingly little accountability.

The Executive thanked the Assistant Director (Communities & Neighbourhoods) and his team for the work undertaken on the Strategy.

It was RESOLVED:

1.  That the Strategy accompanying the report is approved.

2.  That it is noted that the strategy and its implementation adopts a focus on primary prevention and health promotion given this approach has the greatest potential to help address local health inequalities.

3. That it is noted that implementation of the strategy will be achieved through co-operative working with our communities and key partners through the Healthy Stevenage Partnership overseen by Stevenage Together.

4. That the strategy be launched at the Stevenage Together Forum on 6 March 2018.