Agenda item

To consider progress made in the Council's work across Health & Well Being (HWB) including strategy development and action plan delivery, partnership working and next steps.

Members considered the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Partnership progress report.

Councillor Cornwell introduced members to Cath Mitchell from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Chairman of the Living Well Partnership.

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows;

1.    Councillor Humphrey said the report was positive and asked for further information in relation to point 2.2 on page 21 of the agenda pack. Councillor Cornwell explained that this relates to a referral scheme in place between the Council and the Health Service and therefore its performance is reliant on GPs referring individuals to the scheme. He explained that the programme is positive in encouraging individuals to seek help for problems they face and is a good example of third-party services benefitting the Health Service. Cath Mitchell confirmed that both the Living Well Partnership and CCG can assist with promoting this referral system and suggested the scheme is opened up to a wider aspect of the Health Service. Councillor Cornwell agreed that this would be useful.

2.    Councillor Humphrey asked why there had been lack of growth in the number of GP referrals over the year. Richard Cassidy explained that currently, a few hundred people a year are referred to the scheme via their GP; however going forward the Council is keen to improve on this and incorporate the scheme into the Active Fenland programme. He explained that Active Fenland offers a wider range of sports and activities which may appeal to more individuals and therefore improve the number of users.

3.    Councillor Humphrey asked for confirmation that this will continue in light of the recent changes to the Leisure Services provider. Richard Cassidy confirmed that the new provider is contractually obliged to continue this.

4.    Councillor Owen asked how many people currently use the scheme. Richard Cassidy promised to provide Councillor Owen with the exact figure after the meeting.

5.    Councillor Owen asked for clarification on the process of referring individuals to this scheme and the costs involved for the public. Richard Cassidy explained that the service is provided for individuals who have a clinical need, as assessed by their GP. He highlighted that the service not only offers one-on-one help with weight-loss but also to individuals suffering from musculoskeletal injuries who require rehabilitation.

6.    Councillor Owen asked if users are issued with a prescription to present when using the scheme. Richard Cassidy confirmed that a form is submitted via the GP that grants entry to the scheme.

7.    Councillor Humphrey asked for further information in relation to point 3.2 on page 24 of the agenda pack. Richard Cassidy explained that this point refers to the Council’s Culture Strategy and highlighted that initial deadlines needed to be revised. He explained that it was intended to form a community stakeholder group to help develop the strategy and that one key outcome of the strategy would be to work with the community to develop capacity to help them bid for external funding to deliver their own cultural projects.

8.    Councillor Hodgson asked why Wisbech is not included in the Growing Fenland plans discussed on page 16 of the agenda pack. Richard Cassidy confirmed that the Growing Fenland plans for March, Whittlesey and Chatteris are funded by The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and they are currently working on several projects within Wisbech linked to the Wisbech 2020 Partnership strategy. He confirmed that discussions will be taking place in relation to a similar review of Wisbech between the Council and CPCA. 

Councillor Humphrey thanked officers and members for the report and said the next agenda item links well with the topics discussed.