Agenda item

Christus Ferneyhough, Senior Public Health Practitioner and Jayne Hellowell, Head of Commissioning (Healthier Communities), Barnsley Council

Christus Ferneyhough, Senior Public Health Officer, and Anne Asquith, Commissioning Manager (Healthier Communities), were welcomed to the meeting.

An overview of the National Food Strategy (part one) was provided, which highlighted the flexibility and resilience of the food system throughout the pandemic so far. The main focuses in the strategy were to address the ‘cracks’ in the system such as children’s access to food, and also to maintain high food and animal welfare standards when the UK leaves the EU.  Also, within the strategy was an emphasis on healthy weight, especially in light of Covid-19. The link between deprivation and overweight/obesity was noted.

Members noted the recommendations in the report, which included the expansion of the free school meal scheme, and increasing the value of healthy start vouchers. Also noted were the recommendations to ensure food and animal welfare standards remained high in future trading agreements.

Those present heard how locally 65.8% are overweight or obese, and that Barnsley is the 38^th most deprived local authority in England.  However, the significant variations within Barnsley were acknowledged.  Noted was the link between improving food access and improving health, including potentially better outcomes for those contracting Covid-19.

Members were made aware of Good Food Barnsley CIC, which was established prior to the pandemic, but access to food had become more of an issue since.  It aims to improve food access for all across Barnsley.  An Innovation Manager had recently been employed to develop a strategy and deliver the objectives of the partnership.  Members noted the initiatives in place such as Food Banks, Community Shops and holiday hunger schemes, and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on delivering the latter was noted.

Members noted the ‘Local Authority Declaration on Healthy Weight’ which a number of Councils in the region had signed.  Noted were the 16 commitments to make, and the need for the Local Authority to work with partners to deliver against this.   If Barnsley was minded to sign the declaration, it was suggested that Good Food Barnsley could act as a steering group.

Those presented noted that the furlough scheme would be coming to an end and the potential impacts on families.  Also noted was the potential of a second phase of Covid-19 and winter pressures which may lead to pressure on food capacity. The additional impact that Brexit could also have on food prices, access and quality as also acknowledged.

Assurances were provided that risks had been considered and relevant plans had been put in place to respond to these

A suggestion was made to make Councillors aware of support available in their Ward or Area.  It was noted that the Innovation Manager was working closely with Area Council Managers to map support across the borough and identify gaps.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That thanks be given for the presentation and the work in place to improve access to food and promote healthy weight be supported;

(ii)          That the Board receives regular updates from Good Food Barnsley;

(iii)        That the board considers how it can support food access and promote healthy weight.