Agenda item

 To be presented by representative from Public Health

Mr D Fleckno, Public Health delivered a presentation (appended to the minutes) and highlighted the following:

Indicators were difficult to measure and were only helpful when synthesised with local insight from the board.   The importance of place had become increasingly emphasised and the impact of the area in which individuals were raised.  The impact of Covid-19 meant that community support was key to resilience during height of pandemic and recovery. 

Non modifiable factors included genetics, age and gender.  Modifiable factors included lifestyle, community and economy and could have an impact on wellbeing. 

The ways in which Local Government could influence factors were highlighted:

• Demographics, population of area (assets and issues)
• Natural environment,
• GP records around local health behaviours, long term health conditions. 
• Council information around local vulnerable groups and member knowledge of population.

Not all communities were affected in the same way by the pandemic.  The health impacts were greater for older people, males, ethnic minority groups and individuals with long term health conditions.  Indirect impacts would have a greater long term effect on young people who were developing.   All impacts were amenable by strong community support.

Nationally the Chesham and Villages area was mid-range in terms of vulnerability.   The public health profile was intended to be a high level overview made up of a wide variety of data sources.  Combined with the knowledge of members, the information could be used to shape the priorities of the board.  Nationally, Buckinghamshire had overall good health outcomes.  

The five public health recommendations based on analytical data were as follows:

• High levels of smoking
• Childhood obesity
• Substance misuse
• Food poverty
• Higher than average levels of diabetes and heart disease (increase risk of Covid-19)
• Covid 19 economic recovery- benefits etc.

The Chesham and Villages profile was varied.  Local knowledge was key as to where input on particular variables would be most helpful. 

The following points were highlighted during questions and comments from the board:

• Successful health checks had previously run from Chesham Mosque.  This had resulted in residents identifying the early stages of various illnesses.  The health checks had been received positively and appreciated by residents.
• The statistics and factors in the report had to be read in context to local knowledge.
• The indicators could often be complex and “Deprivation” and “Vulnerability” could be contradictory.  “Deprivation” had the potential to be misleading and was made up of different factors such as postcode average, income and car ownership.  These were not always accurate based on the area, for example urban or country.  “Vulnerability” takes into account number of other factors including deprivation. 
• Chesham town appeared to be less deprived than the villages.  Public health were still in the early stages of quantifying the mental health impacts of lockdown.  Some people would have been a lot more isolated than usual and mental wellbeing would have suffered as a result.
• The board were aware that in Chesham wealthy and deprived areas were very close to each other with eight to ten years difference of life potential. 
• Members were keen to focus on young people and the impact of their education as a result from the pandemic.   Expected apprenticeships may no longer exist. Local solutions would be welcome to this.

The Chairman thanked Mr Fleckno for the presentation.

Mr Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health with gave a verbal report summarising the activity that had taken place by the portfolio since the implementation of the new Buckinghamshire Council:

The Public Health team had been working to full capacity over past few months as services were devolved from central government to local authorities.  This was a testimony to the importance of community boards in the eyes of the council.   The formation of the unitary council was a tremendous accomplishment of officers and councillors given the short time scale.  Community boards were a key element of gaining local knowledge and insight in order to represent the needs of residents.  The budget for community boards was £3.9 million.  Community Board Coordinators were extremely significant roles to aid the function of the boards.  The service was very keen to ensure that all parties felt engaged and had a say in shaping priorities. A significant amount of work would be done through sub groups. 

The following point was highlighted during questions and comments from the board:

• Mr Williams was attending weekly meetings with the National Association of Local Councils (BALC) with the Buckinghamshire Association alongside Ms C Hawkes, Service Director for Localities to discuss the avenues in which town and parish councils could have access to middle tier officers.  Mr S Garwood, Localities Manager was tasked with town and parish council relationships and would liaise with BALC on a regular basis.  There would be a number of avenues in which town and parish councils could make contact with officers such as through the Community Board Coordinator or BALC.  A contact list would be complied for town and parish council use.

ACTION: Ms Cavill

The Chairman thanked Mr Williams for his attendance at the meeting.