Issue - meetings

The Council on 9th April 2014 approved the Draft Fit for Life strategy for formal consultation prior to adoption. This consultation has now been undertaken and final changes made.  Cabinet is now asked to adopt the Policy.

Councillor David Dixon introduced the item by emphasising that fitness must not be only about leisure centres but was about lifestyle.  He said that the proposals before Cabinet would build on the work done by the Get Active Partnership.  He moved that Cabinet adopt the Fit for Life Strategy.

Councillor Simon Allen seconded the proposal.  He felt that the strategy would reap benefits for years to come.  He agreed that the proposals were not just about facilities but about lifestyle choices.  He regretted that 10% of the entire NHS budget was spent treating diabetes when 20 minutes activity per day would be more beneficial.

Councillor Dine Romero welcomed the investment in sports facilities but agreed that the important thing was to foster the normalisation of getting and staying fit through lifestyle.  She welcomed the fact that the strategy would link into other strategies and other partners.

Councillor Paul Crossley said that the proposals were essentially about enjoyable ways of staying well.  He referred to Appendix 6 of the Strategy which showed that Bath & NE Somerset outperformed the national average in every performance measure.  He also welcomed the news that the smoking cessation agenda was working and that smoking had been reduced to 16%.

Councillor David Dixon summed up by welcoming the “Park Runs” recently started by a member of the public and felt that this was an example of how the strategy worked best.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Simon Allen, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ADOPT the ‘Fit for Life’ strategy.