Agenda item

Report attached.

The prevalence of obesity among reception age children in Havering was worse than the averages for London and England. The position was also similar for levels of adult obesity in Havering.

There were a number of influences on obesity including society, food production and levels of food consumption. The Havering Local Implementation Plan included the Council’s approach to its overall transport strategy. This incorporated the Healthy Streets approach and officers wished to ensure that existing journeys were more active. This included the proposals for routes for pedestrians and cyclists along the Beam Parkway in Rainham.

The Council was also involved with the Healthy Early Years London Programme which established a framework for supporting and improving the health of early years children. Awards had been established for early years providers in Havering in order to encourage the promotion of a healthy lifestyle for children in Havering.

The Breast Feeding Welcome scheme was open to all businesses with at least a 3 star hygiene rating. This was voluntary scheme that was advertised on a number of platforms including the Havering Show. A map of breast feeding sites was available on the Council website.

Oher initiatives included the water refill scheme which had been trialled in Havering during Recycle Week in September 2018. This reduced levels of plastic waste and encouraged the drinking of water rather than fizzy drinks.  The Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme was focussed on Rainham Village and sought to address barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. This work had found that food takeaways were reluctant to offer alternative choices of food and work in the Trailblazer had focussed on to leverage demand for local options for healthy food. A number of positive relationships had been built up with traders in the Rainham area. Whilst funding had not been received for a continuation of the scheme, the Council had learnt a lot and identified other potential partners.        

As regards planning policy, both the London and Local Plans sought to restrict the opening of new fast food outlets, including in the vicinity of schools. Officers also wished to work with existing takeaways etc in order to establish a Healthy Catering Commitment.

Partners in the Obesity Prevention Group worked with schools in order to encourage healthy eating among pupils. The school nursing service also now offered parenting sessions which covered healthy eating. It was accepted however that it was difficult to shift behaviour towards healthy eating.

Plans for the coming year included restricting the advertising of unhealthy food and drink on Council-owned hoardings. Health and wellbeing implications were also being incorporated into the template for key decisions and portions of vegetables would be served with all school meals.

The Henry programme was aimed at families with children aged 0-5 and aimed to develop parenting skills to encourage healthy eating and physical activity. This was a programme that had already worked successfully in the Leeds area.

The Havering obesity strategy and action plan was due to be revised this year and consultation was about to start on the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It was suggested that this latter item could be brought for scrutiny to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee. A representative of BHRUT added that the Hospitals’ Trust was in full support of the strategy.

The Sub-Committee agreed that an update on the consultation on the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy should be taken if possible at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.