Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture and Environment on the new Food and Wellbeing Strategy, to which a draft copy of the Strategy was attached.  The Committee had requested sight of the draft strategy for comment and to inform its development prior to the Cabinet decision-making process.

6.2

The report was supported by a presentation, given by Jessica Wilson (Health Improvement Principal) which provided some context, key changes from the previous Food Strategy, the mission, vision, underpinning themes and impact.  Also present for this item was Rizwana Lala (Trainee Consultant in Dental Public Health).

6.3

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                     There was a need to work out a balance between an individual and a population approach.

·                     Work strands could be developed to promote what a healthy weight looked like for both children and adults.  This would link to planned initiatives targeting schools and their approaches to food and communications and marketing at a population level, which it was hoped would influence the parents of young children.

·                     In relation to influencing food outlets, some authorities had used planning regulation near schools and Council contracts could take account of the types of food provided.  It was also possible to influence public sector partners.

·                     Activities which were community led, co-produced and targeted were important in ensuring that good food was physically and financially accessible to everyone.  A good example of this was a pilot scheme which had operated in Barnsley and which had been externally funded, whereby people on benefits were given vouchers for fruit and vegetables.  In Sheffield, the school holiday hunger pilot was to be evaluated and it was hoped to be able to continue with this,

·                     In relation to diabetes, NHS guidance was promoted and this covered most people, but there would always be differences.  Work was being undertaken to highlight the natural sugars in fruit, with whole fruit rather than juice being preferable.

·                     Officers would report on roles and responsibilities in relation to this work in due course.

·                     The effectiveness of the Food and Wellbeing Strategy would be considered at the appropriate time.  Work was ongoing to develop indicators to monitor impact.

·                     There had been no overall evaluation of the Food Strategy which expired this year, but this could be done.  Although not in a formal report, learning from the expired Food Strategy had informed the development of the new Food and Wellbeing Strategy.

·                     Much work was being undertaken on food poverty.

·                     It was felt that the previous strategy was too broad, which had limited its impact.

·                     Cabinet leads would be consulted over whether and/or how to incorporate some of the suggested actions in the new Strategy.  These included food production, links with local small businesses, use of Council land, allotments, the role of farmers’ markets, promotion, packaging, food mile reduction, promotion of cook and eat sessions and lunch clubs.

·                     The consideration of food and wellbeing initiatives would need to have regard for cost against public health gain.

·                     Officers were looking at an external food partnership to consider some of the broader food system issues, but this had not yet been developed.

·                     The present Food Strategy had strong links with the Poverty Strategy and officers were looking to continue this with the refresh of the Poverty Strategy.

6.4

The Chair, Councillor Pat Midgley, summarised the Committee’s concerns as relating to food poverty, access to cheap, nutritional food, the effects of mental illness and stress on food consumption, factors associated with having a high 16-25 aged population, the concept of what was a normal weight and the effect of grandparents on children’s diet and activity.

6.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks Jessica Wilson and Rizwana Lala for their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       notes the contents of the report and presentation, comments made and responses to questions; and

(c)        requests that Committee Members identifying any major omissions from the Draft Food and Wellbeing Strategy send these by email to the Policy and Improvement Officer for forwarding to Jessica Wilson.