Blackpool Borough Council
Overview and Scrutiny - Improving Services for the Community
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SCRUTINY REPORT
HEALTH AND LEISURE, CULTURE & COMMUNITY LEARNING
Health and leisure, Culture & Community Learning Scrutiny
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Blackpool Borough Council
Overview and Scrutiny - Improving Services for the Community
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ContentsPage
Foreword 3
Methodology4
Findings6
Action Plan - Recommendations11
Foreword
The Culture and Leisure Service Development Committee selected this topic following the successful completion of the Parks and Leisure Facilities Scrutiny and the Open Spaces and Horticulture Scrutiny. Both reviews resulted in numerous improvements being put in place for the benefit of Blackpool’s residents and visitors, who can enjoy the rich diversity of open space and environmental amenities that the town has to offer.
The link between recreation, good quality environmental surroundings, and health and well being is well proven. The Committee was keen to build upon knowledge gained from previous scrutiny, and ensure that the Council endeavoured to reduce health inequalities through programmes, activities and partnership working undertaken by its Leisure, Culture and Community Learning Directorate.
As a result of the scrutiny a number of recommendations have been identified, which it is believed will help to develop and enhance community health related services that are delivered and contributed to by the Leisure, Culture and Community Learning Department and the School Meals Service.
I would like to thank everyone that played a part in this review, including Councillors, Officers and members of the public.
Councillor Valerie Haynes.
Methodology
The Culture and Leisure Services Development Committee formed a Working Group compromising of Councillors Mrs Haynes, Mrs Cresswell, Mrs Delves and Hardy to undertake the scrutiny review, along with the support of officers from the Leisure, Culture and Community Learning Directorate.
The Working Group established the following objective for the review:-
“To review the positive contribution that Leisure, Culture and Community Learning make to the health and well-being of Blackpool residents and visitors, and to identify any other opportunities where services could be further developed to improve health.”
The scrutiny review commenced in September 2005, and was linked to the Council’s Strategic to “Help to improve the health and well being of all our residents.”
Two workshop sessions were undertaken, during which information was gathered and considered, and further questions generated, with regard to the scrutiny.
Date / Attendees / Purpose19/09/05 / Cllrs Mrs Haynes (Chairman), Cresswell, Mrs Delves and Hardy.
Paul Walker, John Blackledge, Andy Holland, Chris Simcock, Barbara Pride, John Scully, Anne Ellis, Georgina Atkinson.
Representatives of the Layton Allotments Association and Blackpool federation of Allotments, and two Blackpool residents. /
- Blackpool’s health – current position
- Health Related Activity Audit Report
- Adult and Family Learning Services
- Arts Services
- Libraries Services
- Leisure Services
19/10/05 / Cllrs Mrs Haynes (Chairman), Mrs Delves and Hardy.
John Blackledge, Andy Holland, Stephen Crawshaw, Chris Simcock, Peter Baines.
Five Blackpool residents. /
- School Catering Services
- Health Initiatives
- Youth Leisure Services
The Working Group generated excellent input from members of the public by publishing press releases and distributing invitation letters to relevant residents.
At it’s meeting on 21st April 2006, the Culture and Leisure Service Development Committee agreed that an audit of health related activity should be carried out across the Leisure, Culture and Community Learning Directorate to ascertain the level of activity in relation to programmes directly impacting on health.
As a result of this, a report was discussed during the 19th September 2005 workshop, at which the current position regarding each service was identified. Key elements of this regarding the programmes and activities available from each service can be found in the findings section of this report, followed by a recommendation outlining improvements to be made.
A summary of the Blackpool Nutrition and Physical Activity Strategy and Action Plan was also considered by the Working Group, including within this process a briefing on the statistical data detailing poor health levels among Blackpool residents, which identified the significantly lower than national average life expectancy, and the high percentage of overweight or obese adults.
In addition, data from two complementary surveys was considered. These focussed on year 9 pupils and Adults. The research was linked to the North West Development Agency and Sport England and related to levels of physical activity.
Findings
The following section details of some of the key findings ascertained during the evidence gathering stage of the review. Each item represented the position of the relevant service at the time of the review, and is followed by a recommendation where Members felt an improvement was required or additional activities made available.
Adult and Family Learning
The service receives funding from the Learning Skills Council, and is offering an increasing number of health related programmes aiming to contribute to the “Healthy Blackpool” agenda. These are offered to a wide range of Blackpool residents, including those with mental health problems, the elderly, and people with substance misuse problems.
The service is also increasingly utilising health related programmes to increase the levels of confidence, self esteem, social inclusion and participation of individuals, all of which were identified as important factors in the general health of communities. Programmes include T’ai Chi, Reiki, Salsa, Stress management, Dance for Older People (addressing mobility issues), Get Your Life Back On Track, and Parenting (including healthy eating issues).
Future opportunities to work with the Council and the Primary Care Trust have been identified to consider programmes that will provide learning on referral and improve the employability skills and independence of individuals. Diet and health related projects also currently being considered and will be aimed at pregnant teenagers, lone males and hostel users.
Recommendations:
R1)Establish a working relationship and partnership with the PCT.
R2)Consider ‘Learning on referral’ linked to the current GP referral programme operated in Leisure Services.
R3)Consider and identify hard to reach groups and the working relationships, that need to be developed with partners in order to ensure that they are included.
R4)Provide a range of courses, which cover all needs, abilities and backgrounds.
Arts
Art has been recognised as a significant contributor to healthier people and communities. Community workshops targeted at young people and teenage parents have been delivered in line with a partnership agreement with the Arts Council.
The Workshop was advised that Blackpool was one of seven local authorities opted by the Arts Council for case study purposes, to ascertain how health priorities could be delivered through art. A number of events were planned, including ‘Viva Blackpool’, a one-day conference that would explore a number of significant health themes.
The Arts Service has a number of key issues to be addressed in the near future, such as developing the relationship with the National Health Service and Primary Care Trust. The heritage of Blackpool is also a major focus for future projects, with funding secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Recommendations:
R5)Establish a working relationship and partnership with the PCT.
R6)Consider ‘Arts on referral’ linked to the current GP referral programme operated by Leisure Services.
R7)Develop a range of community based arts programmes and projects within deprived areas.
Libraries
This service has played a major role in providing people with a varied range of health and well-being information and books. People referring to the Health and Wellbeing book list are directed to the Libraries Catalogue where a wide section of health related material is available.
The unit has developed a number of programmes to contribute to the Blackpool Life “Rise to the Challenge” initiative, engaging with health colleagues and consulting with the community.
The National Health Service granted the service with £2,000 for the purchase of health books, with a further £800 to establish a ‘bibliotherapy’ scheme. If the scheme proves successful, it will be expanded in the future.
Free health related drop-in sessions providing health checks and alternative therapy tasters for residents are planned, and a ‘Fruity Friday’ has been organised aiming to provide and promote fruit to school children and parents.
Additional future projects are to expand the information points in libraries, and launch a ‘Health File’, containing updated information sources and website addresses to be made available in all libraries.
Recommendations:
R8)Use libraries as a resources for health related drop-in sessions, aimed at meeting a range of Health related needs.
R9)Expand the range of health related material in libraries and launch Health Information Points.
R10)Develop the on-line facilities and services related to health information in libraries.
School Catering Services
The kitchens within Blackpool’s primary schools have reduced in size in order to adequately heat food, as opposed to preparing meals from scratch and, until recently, there had been a heavy dependence on pre-prepared cuisine. However, the primary schools menu had recently been reshaped and a new nutritionally balanced diet has been available since the beginning of the 2005/2006 school term. The menu was developed in full consideration of guidance taken from the Caroline Walker Trust, an organisation established in order to improve public health through good food. Primary schools also offer advice on what consists a healthy lunchbox, and provide a mobile salad bar.
Currently, secondary schools offer healthy choices to pupils at discounted rates and have increased the price of unhealthier options, such as chips and processed meats, in order to encourage pupils to improve their diet.
Schools across the borough are putting measures in place to prevent pupils from patronising local chip shops at lunchtime, and many have introduced an electronic card system with which children pay for their school meals. This helps to reduce bullying, quicken the whole process, and eliminate the stigma attached to the acquisition of free school meals.
Overall numbers of those consuming school meals has suffered a slight decline since the healthier menu was introduced, the price of which runs at an average of 55 pence per pupil. There remain two kitchens in Blackpool schools which are only equipped for heating, as opposed to cooking.
Officers are currently examining the potential for rewarding pupils who eat healthily with free family leisure passes, and it was noted that children are more inclined to follow the example of healthy eating parents.
Given their distaste for fish, the Working Group discussed the possibility of organic milk being served to pupils in order to provide them with essential Omega 3 oils. It was agreed that problems associated easy weight, despite a good diet and plentiful exercise of the individual, needed to be addressed within consideration of the ‘Be Fit, Stay Healthy’ programme.
The Working Group also discussed the possibility of undertaking an audit into which schools had access, or would like access, to an allotment site, or wished to develop their own. This would provide beneficial opportunities for the study of science and mathematics, as well as educating children how food is grown and the importance of seasonal weather cycles.
Recommendations:
R11)The menus in those kitchens which are not fully operational kitchens to be adjusted to reflect as closely as possible the menus in use in fully operational kitchens. By so doing none of the pupils in Blackpool Schools will be in anyway disadvantaged because of lack of facilities.
R12)The School Meal Service to investigate the potential of utilising allotment grown food within their menus.
R13)The School Meal Service to work with Leisure Services to develop a reward scheme linked to healthy eating.
R14)School Meal Service to purchase milk from clover fed cows (rich in omega 3), to that end discussions should be held with local dairy farmers who can meet both the qualitative and quantitative delivery requirements of the service.
Leisure Services
Leisure Services provision is underpinned by health and wellbeing. All activities and programmes contribute to a person’s physical, social and psychological health, of all age groups and backgrounds. Partnership working within the section is extensive and has resulted in a wider range of facility and activity developments.
Furthermore, a number of health initiatives are being facilitated in Blackpool, as follows:
- Steps to Health Walking – this programme is aimed to increase the amount of physical activity that local people take, and assist with the challenge of meeting the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity per day. Guided walks, aimed at all age groups and ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, are held in different locations, such as Stanley Park, South Promenade, and Marton Mere.
- Steps to Health Circuits – a member of the primary care team or a physiotherapist can recommend patients who meet the required criteria for exercise therapy, designed to encourage or improve lifestyle habits or as treatment of an existing condition or medical problem.
- Clinical Exercise Programme – this seeks to improve the health of those with specific conditions, and works very effectively with programmes designed for cardio rehabilitation, respiratory rehabilitation, and back care for those with chronic back discomfort.
Health schemes were being developed further with the local Primary Care Trust, and additional funding was being provided from Health Improvement Funds and Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.
Additional Funding had also been secured from Sport England to establish a Corporate Workplace Activity Programme, available to Council staff and to be subsequently shared with other public service employees within the town. The scheme aims to identify those employees with a higher risk of possible health deterioration and high levels of stress, and attempt to improve their working conditions, thereby lowering the likelihood of ill health and long-term sickness leave.
A Sport, Nutrition and Physical Activity Strategy and Action Plan was to be produced and a number of key priorities for nutrition and physical activity have been established which aim to educate residents about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and ensure easy access to healthy food and leisure facilities.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that approximately 20 per cent of the population have undiagnosed diabetes, and the possibility of free health advice clinics and screening sessions to be held at various Council premises, in conjunction with the Primary Care Trust, was discussed.
Issues were also raised regarding the lack of allotment provision within the North Shore area of the town. Progress was being made in relation to identifying possible sites for future use in the North Shore area.
Recommendations:
R15)Extend the exercise on referral programmes, focussing on Blackpool’s most deprived areas.
R16)Develop a corporate workplace health related scheme and programme relating to lifestyle management and physical activity.
R17)Develop a borough wide sport, nutrition and physical activity strategy.
R18)Consider and explore the potential of allotment provision within the North Short area of Blackpool.
Health and leisure, Culture & Community Learning Scrutiny
Page 1 of 12
Blackpool Borough Council
Overview and Scrutiny - Improving Services for the Community
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Action Plan
Note: It is important that each action be read in conjunction with the full recommendation within the report.
Recommendation / Recommendation Accepted by Exec’ (Yes/No) / Target Date for Action / Lead Officer / OSC Update / ExplanationR1 / Establish a working relationship and partnership with the PCT. / Gwen Harris
R2 / Consider ‘Learning on referral’
linked to the current GP referral
programme operated in Leisure
Services. / Gwen Harris
R3 / Consider and identify hard to reach groups and the working
relationships, that need to be
developed with partners in order to ensure that they are included. / Gwen Harris
R4 / Provide a range of courses, which cover all needs, abilities and backgrounds. / Gwen Harris
R5 / Establish a working relationship and partnership with the PCT. / Carolyn Primett
R6 / Consider ‘Arts on referral’ linked to the current GP referral programme operated by Leisure Services. / Carolyn Primett
R7 / Develop a range of community based arts programmes and projects within deprived areas. / Carolyn Primett
R8 / Use libraries as a resources for health related drop-in sessions, aimed at meeting a range of Health related needs. / Anne Ellis
R9 / Expand the range of health related material in libraries and launch Health Information Points. / Anne Ellis
R10 / Develop the on-line facilities and services related to health information in libraries. / Anne Ellis
R11 / The menus in those kitchens
which are not fully operational
kitchens to be adjusted to reflect
as closely as possible the menus
in use in fully operational
kitchens. By so doing none of the
pupils in Blackpool Schools will be in anyway disadvantaged because of lack of facilities. / Steve Crawshaw
R12 / The School Meal Service to investigate the potential of utilising allotment grown food within their menus. / Steve Crawshaw
R13 / The School Meal Service to work
with Leisure Services to develop
a reward scheme linked to
healthy eating. / Steve Crawshaw
R14 / School Meal Service to purchase milk from clover fed cows (rich in omega 3), to that end discussions should be held with local dairy farmers who can meet both the qualitative and quantitative delivery requirements of the service. / Steve Crawshaw
R15 / Extend the exercise on referral programmes, focussing on Blackpool’s most deprived areas. / Chris Simcock
R16 / Develop a corporate workplace health related scheme and programme relating to lifestyle management and physical activity. / Chris Simcock
R17 / Develop a borough wide sport, nutrition and physical activity strategy. / Chris Simcock
R18 / Consider and explore the potential of allotment provision within the North Short area of Blackpool. / Chris Simcock
Health and leisure, Culture & Community Learning Scrutiny
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