Issue - meetings

Jon Hobday, Director of Public Health provided a summary of the statutory Public Health Annual Report, explaining that its purpose is to spotlight key public health issues and drive system?wide action. This year’s report focuses on the commercial determinants of health and how the environments in which people live, work and shop influence health inequalities across the borough.

Jon highlighted how factors such as high concentrations of fast?food outlets, advertising, and targeted marketing disproportionately affect people living in poverty, making unhealthy choices more likely. He explained that 73% of ill?health is linked to non?communicable diseases, which are strongly shaped by wider environmental and commercial influences. The report outlines tactics used by industries and the importance of regulation and policy to create healthier environments, including national developments such as extended smoke?free zones for tobacco and vapes.

Jon stressed the need to shift away from narratives that blame individuals for poor health, recognising how industries influence norms, including through sponsorship, education materials and social media. He drew attention to increasing alcohol?related mortality, high levels of obesity, and rising food poverty locally. Work underway includes the Bury Food Strategy, transforming food procurement and catering, and the Healthy Stadia work promoting non?alcohol and healthier food options. Spatial planning work, including the Supplementary Planning Document, supports this approach in areas with high obesity rates. Smoking prevalence remains at 10%, supported by enforcement and prevention work.

Key recommendations include promoting healthy environments, regulating harmful practices, empowering communities and businesses, advocating for system change and ensuring fair taxation. Jon issued a call to action for the system to champion a whole?systems approach and align policy.

Councillor Tariq asked about alignment with the Marmot approach and the latest position on the Cabinet motion. Jon confirmed he would share the action plan with the committee and that the motion, including an enhanced equality impact assessment process, would be brought back with further detail.

Adrian Crook welcomed the structure of the report and highlighted the opportunity to track planning policy implementation and capture success stories that demonstrate impact. Jon agreed that building a portfolio of case studies would strengthen future reporting.

It Was Agreed:

·       The Board noted the update.