Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report updating the new strategy.  The Healthy Lifestyles Programme Officer provided a summary of report and highlighted they key changes to the new strategy as detailed and that the new strategy also included new public health concepts aimed at developing ways to tackle existing problems.  Working as part of a “whole” system was cited as an example of helping in delivering results.  In this context, the role of East Herts Social Prescribing Service was explained and how this interacted with a range of partners to help those in need.

Councillor Mrs Hollebon praised the role of the Council’s Social Prescribing Service and the Officer’s work in Bishop’s Stortford.  She suggested that the service be expanded.  Councillors P Moore and N Symonds echoed the positive comments on the service.  Councillor Symonds also referred to the scheme “Girls Can” in Harlow and its success.

Councillor M Stevenson queried the possibility of having a specialist social prescribing service e.g aimed at children or mental health.  The Healthy Lifestyles Programme Officer explained that the current focus was on the frail and elderly. Councillor D Hollebon queried whether social prescribing could be developed within the “Forever Active” programme.  She felt that Members needed to work with Officers on this issue and that it should include all age ranges.

The Committee Chairman, on behalf of Members thanked the Officers for their hard work in moving this initiative forward.

The Committee asked that their comments as detailed, be taken on board by the Head of Housing and Health when the strategy is redrafted.

RESOLVED – that Members’ comments as detailed be taken on board by the head of Housing and Health when the strategy is redrafted.