There were no apologies received for this meeting.

The minutes of the Community and Health Committee held on the 22 June 2015 were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Brentwood Community Fund was set up to give Brentwood’s communities the opportunity to provide local initiatives to improve the quality of life for local people living in the borough. The fund had £40,300 available in total in the current financial year, and grants of up £3,500 were available for applicants. The funding was open from 6^th April until 6^th  September 2015.

Members were advised that 36 applications had been received requesting a total of £95,000.

The matrix used by officers when scoring all applications was appended to the report for Members’ information and a summary spreadsheet of officer recommendations and a copy of all the application forms had been placed in each of the Members’ rooms.  Members had therefore had an opportunity to send their comments on the applications to the Chair before the committee meeting.

Cllr  Russell MOVED and Cllr Faragher SECONDED the recommendation in the report and following a full discussion a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that Members agree to fund those projects highlighted in green as outlined in Appendix B out of the Community Fund.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

Each application was subject to a robust, independent and transparent scoring process to ensure fairness in the allocation of funding.

Once received the applications were scored by a panel of officers looking at the following key priorities:

·      Evidence that the bid met the criteria, the Council’s priorities and  expected outcomes

·      Evidence that the community had been involved in the development and implementation of the project

·      Evidence that the bid supported the promotion of volunteering and community participation

·      Evidence that the applicant had sought additional external funding or in kind value (such as the use of volunteers) for the project

·      Evidence that the project was sustainable once the Council’s contribution has ceased.

The applications were individually scored then ranked by their score. The recommendations by officers of the projects that met the key priorities and the amount of funding that was recommended was provided for Members’ consideration.

The report before Members set out the background for the proposal to amend the terms of reference of the Brentwood Health and Wellbeing Board. It was timely to do this since there had been progress in key areas, the membership had changed over time and mental health was now to be included within the priorities for the Board.

Members were reminded that, following the introduction of the Health and Social Care Act in April 2013 Brentwood Borough Council implemented its own Health and Wellbeing Board to promote public health in the Borough, working in partnership with the Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group and other local partners. Achievements had been made in the agreed priority areas of:

·         Improving older people’s health

·         Increasing the uptake of vaccinations and

·         Reducing cardiovascular disease through reductions in obesity.

The Council had signed up to the Mental Health Challenge and was raising awareness of this important area.   The Health and Wellbeing Board intended to include mental health as an additional priority and it was appropriate for a relevant officer or councillor to be a member of the Board in this regard.

Other proposed membership changes were included in the proposed revised terms of reference appended to the agenda as Appendix C.

Cllr Russell MOVED and Cllr Ms Sanders SECONDED the recommendation in the report and following a vote taken on a show of hands it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that the new terms of reference for the Brentwood Health and Wellbeing Board at Appendix C be accepted.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

The amended terms of reference had been proposed at Appendix C (showing track changes) to reflect clarity on the Board’s priorities, changes in membership and the inclusion of mental health.

Members were reminded that a Leisure and Play Strategy was currently underway and  were  requested to consider whether they would like the possibility of an outdoor gym to be considered within this review.

Installation of such a facility would be beneficial to users, providing a flexible and easily accessible opportunity for physical activity and its proven health benefits. Such an offer being included within the play strategy would enable the demand for this equipment to be identified and a suitable location to be found and this could lead to a trial for additional sites in the future.

Cllr Hossack proposed the Town Centre as the most suitable location given its’ accessibility and suggested the green behind the Baytree Centre as a possible site for the outdoor gym.

Members noted that whilst any equipment installed would generally be available free of charge there may also be an option to generate an income to the Council for commercial use.

Cllr Russell  MOVED and Cllr Wiles SECONDED the recommendation in the report and following a full discussion a vote taken on a show of hands  it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.         That the Leisure and Play Strategy consider the full business case for the provision of an outdoor gym facility in the Borough.

2.      That formal discussions commence with providers of such facilities to explore full costings and joint venture opportunities, which may include a new revenue stream to the Council.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

To seek agreement for exploring the provision of an additional offer to benefit the community’s health and well being.

There was no urgent business.

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The meeting concluded at 19.35 hrs.