Agenda item

Considered

An update by Louise Wallace, Director of Public Health, and Gill Kelly, Public Health Consultant.

Louise explained that this year’s Annual Report focusses on the ageing population and concentrates on four key areas: health equality, housing, employment and financial security, and making North Yorkshire an age friendly place.

One member of the Committee asked how we can engage with the older people who had previously never claimed any benefits, but who would now improve their quality of life if they applied for them. Louise explained that this would be addressed under the financial security priority.

Gill summarised the progress on the recommendations from last year’s annual report, “In Our Words: A Child’s Life in North Yorkshire”. The Growing up in North Yorkshire 2024 Survey highlighted that there has been an improvement in the mental health of young people, and girls demonstrate poorer resilience than boys.  The Council is working to embed the i-Thrive model to help children identify and manage their emotions and worries, and to build resilience and wellbeing.  Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in demand for mental health advice and some families have more complex levels of needs. It is important to be able to identify the need at the earliest stage to prevent it escalating to a more extreme level, and to respond at the right level at the right time. The mental health system transformation programme will adopt the i-Thrive model and officers will liaise with schools, special education leads and inpatient and outpatient settings to identify the gaps. Multi-task groups will be established.  

The next area to focus on is child obesity, with some children being overweight before they reach primary school age.  The Committee heard that the healthy schools scheme is funded through public health grants. It was noted that the scheme has been able to extend into nursery school settings in Harrogate and Whitby, but this is only because these venues are available free of charge.  The Committee were also informed that work is taking place with schools to promote healthy lifestyles and it is important that children can participate in health-based activities in their community. One member of the Committee cited the Harrogate Bike Bus as an example of the benefits of physical activity in reducing obesity and promoting good mental wellbeing.

The Council has also launched a Let’s Talk Food survey to help understand people’s thoughts about healthy eating and address how to reduce food waste and make healthy food more accessible.

One member of the Committee asked how families in temporary accommodation or those being placed into social housing are supported to adopt healthy eating patterns. Louise said that she would liaise with the Housing officers for this information. She also explained that the poverty proofing toolkit will be made as accessible as possible.

Resolved

1)    That, Louise Wallace liaises with Housing for information of how families in temporary accommodation and those being placed in social housing are being supported to adopt healthy eating lifestyles.

2)    That, an update on the mental health system transformation programme report is brought to the Committee in 12 months.

3)    That, the report is noted.