Agenda item

-      Public Space Protection Orders and Alcohol Licences Management

-      Health Equalities

-      Partnership work, strategy and review of funding arrangements

5:30pm

The Health and Wellbeing Manager and Senior Environmental Health Officer attended to provide members with an update on the Health and Wellbeing strategy and changes to Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Health and Wellbeing Manager began by advising members of the factors which influence health. Historically, the emphasis had been put on NHS treatment to improve health; however there had since been a shift of focus to lifestyle issues and living environments. Creating more jobs and utilizing the Council’s controls on housing and planning were seen as key drivers behind making improvements to public health in targeted areas.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager explained the 7 domains of deprivation which make up the indices of multiple deprivation. Chesterfield’s position amongst the English local authority districts included in the indices of multiple deprivation had worsened since 2010. The deprivation figures were divided into 32,844 Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) and more of Chesterfields LSOA’s fell within the top 10% of most deprived areas in England than in 2010. From these figures, the Health and Wellbeing Manager summarised that the inequality gap in Chesterfield was widening.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager provided a summary of the health profile of Chesterfield borough residents. Key areas of concern included the number of children living in low income families and the number of children in Year 6 that were classified as obese. There were increasing gaps in life expectancy in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas. In addition, a number of other health issues were significantly worse than the England average.

The Council was looking at various ways to drive improvements in health and wellbeing, these included providing fit and proper housing, maintaining good partnerships with other local authorities and outside bodies, and focussing on improving general activity. The development of the strategy must fit within existing health and wellbeing policies and align with the Council plan priorities. To support the development of the strategy, a Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership was set up 18 months ago which aligns its priorities with the Derbyshire Health and Wellbeing Board and other local partners.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager highlighted the key areas where improvements were being driven. These included obesity in children, inactivity, prevention of falls to reduce hip fractures and reductions in alcohol intake.

Members had concerns that under 25s caught drinking in an alcohol free zone were no longer taken to the GP for help. The Health and Wellbeing Manager advised that in some PSPO areas, the police had trialled offering a course on alcohol instead of a conviction. In addition, it could be possible to enforce a reduction in licensed hours under an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO). Members felt that this would not address the problems with people pre-loading with alcohol before going out. The Health and Wellbeing Manager replied that there would be opportunities to work with the licensed trade to prevent the sale of alcohol to intoxicated people.

Members felt that there needed to be community led approach however the current community work needed improving. The Health and Wellbeing Manager replied that community work takes a long time to establish and a community group was ready to start work in Barrow Hill along with plans to set up a cluster in Staveley. There would be an evaluation of the projects before rolling them out in other areas.

Members suggested that more well-paid jobs were needed as people in low-waged jobs may not earn enough. The Executive Director added that there was partnership working taking place with employers and the college to boost the types of employment opportunities available.

Members raised concerns about care homes closing down and asked if there were any statistics on the amount that had ceased to operate. The Health and Wellbeing Manager advised that he would report back to members when he had that information.

PSPOs

The Senior Environmental Health Officer attended to provide members with an update on the development of a new PSPO to provide for enhanced dog control. The Health and Wellbeing Manager also outlined options for updating the existing Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) to extend controls on street drinking and related anti-social behaviour.

There were currently 6 dog control orders adopted by the Council in locations across the borough. As part of the review on the introduction of a new PSPO for dog control, the number of complaints for dog fouling, dogs off lead and dogs causing alarm or distress were analysed. In addition, a public consultation based on the current dog control orders was carried out from Monday 26 September to Friday 4 November, 2016. The consultation showed support for the current controls as well as the proposal for three new offences under PSPOs. Before implementation, further consideration would be given to the areas where the PSPO would be enforced, as well as the additional costs incurred.

Members were concerned that the current signs were too small and the new signs needed to be bigger. There were also issues with dog dirt being found on football pitches used by junior teams. The Senior Environmental Health Officer advised that football pitches were being considered as part of the PSPO.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager informed members of the options to use a PSPO instead of a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) to give the police extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and drinking. Consideration of the options was still at an early stage and a further meeting with key stakeholders and partners would take place to develop a new PSPO, followed by a consultation period.

Members thanked the Health and Wellbeing Manager and Senior Environmental Health Officer for attending and providing the update.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the progress report on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy be noted and supported.

2.   That further progress on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy be brought to the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum in 6 months’ time.

3.   That the progress report in respect of dog controls under a new PSPO be noted.

4.   That the results of the public consultation on dog controls and the next steps in respect of dog controls under a new PSPO be noted.

5.   That the early discussions on possible changes to the street drinking controls and proposed next steps be noted.

6.   That members take any issues arising from the updates on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and PSPOs to the work programme action planning day on 1 February, 2017, or alternatively notify the Policy and Scrutiny Officer to feed into the work programming process.