Report of Director for Public Health

Note: This is also to be considered by the People Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on Tuesday 12^th April 2015

(This is a pre-Cabinet Scrutiny item.)

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director for Public Health and Corporate Director for Place by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny.  This sought the Committee's views on the contents of the draft Southend-on-Sea Physical Activity Strategy 2016-2021.

The Committee discussed the report in detail, and whilst there was general consensus and support of the content of the draft strategy the Committee made a number of comments and suggestions for inclusion in the strategy.

Resolved:-

That the draft Southend-on-Sea Physical Activity Strategy 2016-2021 be noted and endorsed for submission to Cabinet at its meeting on 28th June 2016, with the following comments:

•  Would like the strategy ambitions raised by considering the KPIs as a minimum achievement;

•  Consider how physical activity contributes to reducing obesity and the gap in life expectancy;

•  Improve communication to maximise opportunities particularly in respect of the trial activity sessions identified in the in-depth scrutiny study undertaken by the People Scrutiny Committee last year;

•  Look at ways of helping people feel safer outside in the evening when undertaking physical activity such as the seafront and the Prittlebrook Greenway;

•  Address issues around GP referrals- sustaining physical activity levels in people who complete exercise referral; and

•  Work with the Southend BID to explore innovative ways to increase physical activity opportunities in the town.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillors:- Betson and Moyies