Agenda item

The Director of Public Service Reform, Henry Kippin and the Director of Implementation for Mental Health Wellbeing and Radical Prevention, Sean Russell, jointly presented a report on addressing childhood obesity in the West Midlands.

It was noted that the report had been drafted in collaboration with health partners.

The report outlined the WMCA’s approach to combating childhood obesity in the West Midlands and proposed a series of options and recommendations that would form the basis of policy proposals to be agreed by the WMCA Board; these would developed and delivered with health and other public service partners.

Sean Russell advised that the options focused on ‘quick wins’ and how the  WMCA could add value with partners to build on the 2018 Childhood Obesity Action Plan and to strengthen the ‘West Midlands on the Move’ agenda.

Councillor Caan reported that the ‘Measured Mile’ initiative in Coventry whereby distance markers are fixed to street furniture and placed in parks/ green spaces had had a really positive impact in encouraging an increase in people taking up running and reported of the need to’ think outside of the box’  to drive forward change.

Gary Taylor reported that he supported the report recommendations and West Midlands Fire Service could assist the WMCA by building on the work they already undertake with schools on health eating/ lifestyle choices and indicated that he would like to be involved with the Wellbeing sub-group.

Councillor Caborn reported that vending machines in schools were stocked with unhealthy food but noted that they generated income for schools and reported of the need to focus on education.

Helen Hibbs concurred with Councillor Caborn that education is key and there was a need to involve all schools in the Active Mile. She added that consideration could be given by the WMCA in conjunction with partners, to setting targets in time for 2022 Commonwealth Games that everyone is signed up to.

Councillor Shackleton reported that research undertaken by Sandwell indicated that the people who are most in need of physical activity are the ones least likely to use the facilities provided.

Lola Abudu reported of the link between health and inequalities and the need for the WMCA to focus their efforts on those people who are likely to left behind.

Guy Daly reported on the work being undertaken by universities into changing behaviour and ‘nudging’ people into increasing the amount of physical activity they take and undertook to ask colleagues to link up with the West Midlands on the Move Implementation Group.

Councillor Grinsell noted that schools and university all have assets and enquired whether these could be opened up for use by the community during holiday periods to make better use of assets.

Sean Russell thanked colleagues for their comments and advised that he would develop a plan, based on the discussions, with recommendations for consideration by this board before submission to the WMCA Board.

Resolved:

1.    That the WMCA approach to combatting childhood obesity based on the options proposed in the report, including the ‘quick wins’ outlined in paragraphs 18a and b be endorsed;

2.    That a Wellbeing Board sub-group (with identified chair) to develop, support and track progress against the agenda be agreed and

3.    That a plan for combatting childhood obesity be submitted to the next meeting of this board prior to the recommendations being submitted to the WMCA Board for consideration.