Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing provided a summary of his Portfolio including updates on:

·        Affordable Housing

·        Private Empty Homes

·        Community grants and other funding

·        Arts, Leisure and Culture

·        Community Development, Public Health and the District Health Offer

The summary was further enhanced by a presentation on how the Executive Member’s Portfolio focussed on community development and the prevention of ill-health.  He explained how this could be achieved with a joined up approach, working with partners from various sectors to help achieve not only the Council’s corporate priorities, but to enhance peoples’ lives, targeting inequalities and contributing to the local economy.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing explained the aim of Social Prescribing in helping to identify ill health early and what could be achieved by early intervention and through physical activity.  The Executive Member explained that the Community Grants Policy had been revised with a greater focus on those in most need.  He referred to the important role of the District and Housing Associations in ensuring the right mix of housing to assist with mobility and to address under occupancy issues. 

The Executive Member summarised the function of the Community Wellbeing Forum and the roles of Members in supporting the Forum's aims and future aims of the Health and wellbeing Strategy.

In response to a query from Councillor G Cutting, the Executive Member provided clarification on the issue of district community databases and the need to refresh this information.  Councillor Cutting referred to the issue of affordable housing and the need for developers to build more bungalows.  It was acknowledged that such properties had a bigger footprint.  The role of the District Plan in this process was discussed. 

Councillor Mrs D Hollebon referred to difficulties she was experiencing with the Home Improvement Agency.

Councillor B Deering sought and was provided with clarification in relation to private empty homes and bringing them back into use.  The Executive Member explained the action that could be taken in getting empty properties back into use.  The Head of Housing and Health provided a summary of the successful action taken by the Council in addressing this issue.

The Committee Chairman, on behalf of Members thanked the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing for the summary of his portfolio and of current developments.

RESOLVED – that the summary on the Portfolio held by Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing and current developments, be noted.