Agenda item

The Committee considered the report presented by the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing & Leisure, Councillor Susan Crosby.

As detailed in the report, the Portfolio Holder had been invited to attend Committee to respond verbally to three specific queries as at paragraph 2.1.

The first question asked whether our leisure company Active4Today is happy to take forward the recommendations from the Life Chances for Girls Working Group, and do they know what happens next?

Councillor Crosby replied that the simple answer is yes.

Active4Today have already used these recommendations when writing their new 2026–2029 Business Plan, which is currently going through the approval process and at the same time, the Sport and Active Lifestyles team are doing research to better understand what opportunities might be needed across the district.

They want to make sure decisions are based on evidence, not assumptions, so activities are shaped around what women and girls actually need.

In terms of what will happen next. You can expect:

·        Better images and branding:

Active4Today will use more real, local and diverse images in their publicity so girls and young women can see themselves represented.

·        Sharing success stories:

They will do more to celebrate and share good news about existing programmes, especially those that benefit women and girls.

·        Clearer reporting:

They will improve how they report on who uses services, including showing how many women and girls take part, so progress can be properly tracked.

The second question asked whether there was a budget to maintain closed cemeteries, and whether this is enough?

In response Councillor Crosby confirmed that there is a budget, but it is not sufficient in the long term.  As a council we are legally responsible for maintaining closed cemeteries when churches hand them over. This includes grass cutting, paths, bridges, trees and making sure headstones are safe. The law does not allow the council to refuse this responsibility, even if the cemetery needs a lot of work.

At the moment, the council looks after eight closed cemeteries, but the annual budget is only £5,000, which does not cover the costs. If there is a serious health and safety issue, extra money may need to be found from elsewhere.

The council is legally required to do the work, regardless of whether the budget is adequate or not.

The final question asked how we use data to understand health inequalities and decide where to focus projects?

Councillor Crosby advised as a council we use data to underpin all our decisions and priorities. With regards to health and inequalities, we use local data to see where people are most affected by poor health and disadvantage, so support can be targeted where it is needed most.

The team uses data like the Index of Multiple Deprivation data to identify the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and can access anonymised GP practice data, broken down by ward, to understand local health issues.

Access to this information helps us:

·        See which areas have poorer health, shorter life expectancy, or difficulty accessing services

·        Identify issues like long-term illness, mental health needs, obesity, smoking and low vaccination rates

·        Focus projects and resources on places with the greatest need, such as Hawtonville, Bridge Ward and parts of Boughton

In closing the debate, the Chair thanked Councillor Crosby for her attendance and detailed responses to the queries raised. 

AGREED          (unanimously) that:

a)     the responses to the questions raised be noted.