Agenda item

Jeanelle de Gruchy, Director of Public Health and LB Haringey, introduced the report and made a presentation on a joint approach to tackling obesity across Islington and Haringey.

The following main points were noted in the discussion: 

·         Haringey and Islington faced similar challenges with over 1 in 3 children aged 10-11 classed as overweight or obese. It was emphasised that obesity had a significant impact on overall health outcomes and wellbeing.

·         The Board considered joint approaches to tackling obesity across Islington and Haringey. It was explained that public health initiatives could not rely on individual willpower alone and it was important to create healthier environments to support residents in tackling obesity. For example, it was reported that Haringey Council had removed ‘no ball games’ signs from public spaces to encourage physical activity. The Board supported removing these signs in Islington also.

·         The Board considered the need to create healthier food environments and noted the Sugar Smart campaign, developed in conjunction with the Jamie Oliver Foundation and Sustain, which aimed to increase awareness and reduce sugar consumption. The Board noted the proposal to undertake an audit of public buildings to review the food offer and develop a food standards policy and toolkit to ensure the provision of healthier options.

·         The Board noted the Heathy Workplace Charter, which was a framework which recognised employee health and wellbeing initiatives. It was noted that Islington Council already offered several initiatives for staff including reduced price gym membership, running clubs, lunchtime walks, as well as providing showers to support physical activity.

·         The Board was keen to develop anti-obesity initiatives at a cross-borough level, including Play Streets schemes. The Board considered the importance of ‘making every contact count’ by promoting health initiatives to the public at every opportunity. It was proposed that a high profile campaign should be launched to generate public interest; it was suggested that a campaign against a particular product may be effective.

RESOLVED:

That Haringey and Islington work together to:

(i)            Create healthier food environments and reduce sugar consumption:

·         To sign up to London’s Sugar Smart Campaign and to agree a joint pledge to make healthier food more affordable and accessible for our residents.

·         To encourage sign up to the Sugar Smart Campaign from our partners (including schools and community organisations).

·         To undertake a snapshot audit of the current food offer in public sector facilities across both boroughs in order to understand the quality and nutritional value of food on sale to our residents.

·         To develop a food standards policy and toolkit to work with providers to improve the food offer for all our residents.

·         That all organisations on the joint board work towards Healthy Workplace Charter ‘Excellence’.

(ii)           Build capacity and knowledge within the wider public health workforce

·      To promote Making Every Contact Count (MECC) within all organisations represented in the Haringey and Islington Health and Wellbeing Board.

(iii)          Identify joint funding to increase levels of physical activity

·         To support a joint Haringey and Islington bid for the Local Area Fund pilot.