Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommends to Council that the Health and Wellbeing Action Plan is adopted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and to Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Partnering and Wellbeing.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio for Partnering and Wellbeing introduced the item and invited the Environmental and Regulation Service Manager to present the report to Cabinet on the proposed Health and Wellbeing Action Plan.

Cabinet heard that the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Action Plan had been created to support the outcomes identified in the “Strategy for the Health and Wellbeing of Hampshire” where they align with the Council’s priorities. The Action Plan deals with specific actions, including the development of programmes and initiatives to support the health and wellbeing of New Forest residents, with appropriate progress updates and timescales of delivery. Council is requested to update the plan regularly and review it annually by way of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

Cabinet felt that the Plan’s priorities gave a shared focus for the Council and partners to work together to reduce health inequalities and make a positive difference across the District, improving the quality of life of New Forest communities.

A non-Cabinet member expressed disappointment that there was no explicit mention of poverty in the Action Plan. Officers and Cabinet members provided reassurances that the Action Plan acknowledged poverty as a main driver of health disparity and that measures such as the Warmer Homes collaboration and the Holiday Activity Fund would seek to address these issues.

Members requested that some further clarity be provided on the Action Plan’s ‘RAG’ ratings to clarify the performance and success measures.

The Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel were supportive of the Action Plan, following its consideration at their meeting in March 2023.