Issue - meetings

As set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the Bath and North East Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board is responsible for developing a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy which will deliver the Board’s aim to reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing in Bath and North East Somerset.

The Strategy offers the Health and Wellbeing Board the opportunity to create shared leadership across the health and social care systems to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes locally.

This report seeks Council approval of the final strategy.

The Council considered a report seeking approval for the final Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

On a motion from Councillor Simon Allen, seconded by Councillor Tim Ball, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.  To approve the Bath and North East Somerset Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, subject to the addition of the following words (italicised) into Theme 2, page 5 section entitled ‘Improved Services which support and encourage independent living and dying well’ - “Community Transport plays a key role in reducing health inequalities of communities”; and

2.  To note the Equality Impact Assessment carried out on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

[Note; The underlined wording in resolution 1. above was proposed as a minor adjustment by Councillor Vic Pritchard and accepted by the mover and seconder of the motion.]

As set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the Health and Wellbeing Board is responsible for developing a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy which will deliver the Board’s aim to reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing in Bath and North East Somerset.  The Strategy offers the Board the opportunity to create shared leadership across the health and social care systems to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes locally.  This report presents a summary of consultation responses to the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, seeks Cabinet approval of the final strategy and sets out the next steps.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in an ad hoc statement said she felt that the report had the right priorities but was too bland and did not explain how big the challenge would be.  As an example she cited the “postcode life expectancy” which meant that there were still pockets of deprivation to be addressed.

Lesley Mansell (Chair, Radstock Town Council) in an ad hoc statement asked for a copy of the Equality Impact Assessment.

Councillor Simon Allen introduced the item.  He drew attention to the 3 themes listed in the Strategy document. He explained that the strategy was the responsibility of the Health & Wellbeing Board, whose overarching aim was to reduce inequality.

He moved the proposals.

Councillor Dine Romero seconded the proposal.  She said the strategy was ambitious.  It drew together a number of other plans and put health and wellbeing at the centre.

Councillor David Dixon felt that the paper was excellent and that it presented a unified picture of what the community needed.  He reminded the Cabinet that health and wellbeing was not only about provision – it could also be about neighbours supporting each other.

Councillor Ben Stevens said that as a Trustee of the Golden Oldies Charity, which encouraged older people to get out and sing in choirs, he agreed with Councillor Dixon.

On a motion from Councillor Simon Allen, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To APPROVE the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy; and

(2) To NOTE that a final Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will be submitted to Council on 14 November for approval