Agenda item

To provide an update on the development of a Physical Activity Strategy for the county, due for launch in June 2022.

Rates of physical activity have fallen since March 2020 in both adults and children. Physical activity is identified as a priority in both Health and Wellbeing Board strategies and the physical activity strategy seeks to provide further clarity and identify themes for collection action by all stakeholders from across the system to increase physical activity levels.

The Board considered a report on the Physical Activity Strategy, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and appears as Appendix “B” to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The Board received a presentation from Rupert Lloyd, Public Health and Martin Kimberley Chief Executive, Active Dorset updating on the development of the Physical Activity Strategy and the work that both Public Health and Active Dorset had been undertaking to improve movement across Dorset.

Martin explained that the survey undertaken each year with approximately 500 adults to provide statistics on the level of activity showed that roughly 1 in 5 of those surveyed did not achieve 30 minutes of activity a week and were likely to come from under-represented groups. A similar survey targeted at children run through schools showed that a third of children do not achieve moderate activity each day and the recommendation for Children was 60 minutes plus per day. The Board was advised that one group that had been identified was young carers who find it more difficult to take part in regular activity.

Rupert Lloyd reported on the approach being taken, steered by stakeholders in making activity more a part of daily life. The Board was advised of the four headline changes following conversations with stakeholders:

·     Not moving was a ‘norm’ which we learn from and have reinforced by, our family, social networks and other people

·     Physical and mental health limits individuals’ and organisations’ capacity for moving more and enabling others to move more.

·     Other pressures and priorities outweigh the ‘value’ we attach to movement.

·     The places we live in can make movement challenging and sedentary behaviour convenient.

In light of the above the Board was advised of the following three areas for action to improve outcomes:

• Reframing our language
• Building movement into daily life

·      Connecting people with the value of moving more

The Board was informed of the relevant legislation, public policy and local context which underpins the strategy.  Martin Kimberley reported that BCP was making good progress on active travel and design which was a key area where movement can be incentivised each day and makes a huge difference at scale.  He highlighted collaborations which had enabled activities such as park runs and park yoga to thrive.  The Board was informed that the ICS provided a focus for prevention at scale and advised of the opportunities for attracting support for BCP by utilising the Strategy. Officers focused on the detail of the three areas for action and how everyone can contribute to increase movement including using existing plans eg the Local Plan. 

The Board was asked to consider the following:

• Provide help to bring the strategy to life
• Continue to be advocates for movement
• What are we missing?

·      How would you like to measure progress against Strategy?

The Chair thanked Rupert Lloyd and Martin Kimberley for the presentation. She highlighted the need to get into schools and teach children who would then teach their parents.

Councillor Nicola Greene referred to the statistics that 1 in 3 children were inactive which was of concern.  She asked how children with SEND were represented and if the Strategy focused on the needs of that group.  Councillor Greene also referred to the hour of activity permitted during the first lockdown which was embraced by a lot of people and asked if the existing inequality had been reinforced.  Martin explained that the inequality grew significantly through Covid, and the recovery had been much slower.

Councillor Rampton commented on Children with SEND and suggested that annual health checks could be used as a means of monitoring this Group and their access to activities.  She also referred to competitiveness amongst young people to encourage movement.  Councillor Rampton highlighted the need to look at the provision of leisure activities in deprived areas. Rupert Lloyd welcomed the comments and indicated that it emphasised the need to connect people with opportunities.  Martin Kimberley referred to the data on children and those with SEND highlighting that a key challenge was to get enough respondents to the survey to make the data robust.  He commented on accessibility to services and how leisure services were commissioned had an impact emphasising that it needed to be a systems approach.

Councillor Rampton made a challenge to Graham Farrant, Chief Executive for the provision of a table tennis table in the Council offices to encourage activity.  Graham Farrant indicated that he was happy to take the challenge and look at what can be done within the office environment.  He suggested that there was an opportunity to map how much was being spent on subsidising activities across the BCP area and where that was being funded from with a focus on prescribing exercise rather than medication.

Simon Watkins reported that the statistics were shocking, but it was important to give people a “nudge” towards the activities and services that were available to improve movement.  Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health referred to the challenges highlighted during the presentation stating that the issue should be a core part of the Integrated Care Partnership Strategy and consideration given to how the change in culture was embedded.  He indicated that he was shocked to hear that there was resistance in some clinical and care settings on prescribing physical activity acknowledging the challenge that physical activity was not always the intervention that was used.  Sam Crowe referred to the opportunity to refocus the initiative for physical activity champions and include this in the strategy.  He also referred to the increase in the cost of living and encouraging people away from using their cars.  The Board was informed that there was an opportunity to consider behavioural challenges and the barriers preventing people from walking or cycling.  Sam suggested that monitoring progress could be undertaken via the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies acknowledging that the measures may be different in Dorset compared to BCP, but both had prioritised physical activity/movement.

Cllr Nicola Greene left at 10.57 am

Martin Kimberley reported on the continuing training with GPs and the collaborative approach to promote the Livewell pathway. Jess Gibbons welcomed the strategy whilst highlighting the need for connections with the Local Plan and Transport Plan. She commented on the Council’s Leisure Needs Assessment including key projects and the Play Strategy whilst referring to a new leisure centre in Exeter which was shifting people into different ways of moving. The Board was advised of the big conversation and feedback whereby wellbeing was a key part of BCP which should be embedded into the culture and embraced across the area and internally by the Council. Mufeed Niman GP highlighted the impact that a change in behaviour by communities and professionals would have.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the priorities for action referenced in the strategy presentation be noted.

(b)           it was acknowledged the actions members can take in their role and raise awareness of the strategy once launched.

(c)           the suggestions proposed for action that align to the themes within the strategy be noted.