Agenda item

Report and presentation attached from Lee Buggie Public Health Specialist and Lucy Fitzsimon Neighbourhood Wellness Lead

Lee Buggie (Public Health Specialist) and Lucy FitzSimons (Neighbourhood Wellness Lead) presented a 10?minute overview of Physical Activity work across Bury, supported by slides. The presentation focused on how different datasets are used to understand physical activity levels, including Active Lives, Bee Network surveys (children and young people), and triangulated local intelligence. The approach highlights system-wide working across housing, schools, voluntary and community sector partners, and alignment with the UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines over the past 12 months.

Lee explained that the work applies universal proportionalism, targeting deprivation and protected characteristics, with partners working collaboratively across neighbourhoods. Data demonstrates challenges around self-reported bias but provides valuable insights into local variation across Bury. Headlines included the ambition to achieve 60% of people being active, reducing inactivity overall, and moving those who are least active into “fairly active” categories. Gender disparities were highlighted, with boys more likely to be active, while overall activity levels among children and young people are falling. Deeper data dives are available for targeted local action.

Lucy described place-based work, including collaboration with GMCA on active travel, streets, and walking, wheeling and cycling initiatives. Work includes disability cycling, community-based activity, murals and “Right to Grow” projects linking physical activity to place and environment. Specific local examples included Holcombe Brook and neighbourhood partnership working. Lucy also highlighted links between GM Moving, Sport England, and Bury’s commitment to improving population health, with data being shared across youth services and partners.

The VCFA partnership was noted as a key enabler, supporting pathways for children and young people and voluntary sports clubs, with two meetings held to date. Training grants and micro-grants were discussed, including a successful £10,000 Leadership Skills Foundation investment, which may support Jump Training delivery. Comparisons were made to Bradford’s long-term progress, and local initiatives such as Teach Active, Beat the Street, Play Streets, and school-based programmes were referenced. GM Population Health deep dives in Fern Hill, Pimhole and Radcliffe are exploring deprivation, place-based working, and social return on investment from physical activity.

Evidence-based approaches were discussed, including the significant benefits gained from small changes (e.g. 2,000–4,000 extra steps per day). Emphasis was placed on embedding physical activity into daily life rather than relying solely on structured sport.

Councillor Southworth asked how activity level data is collected. Lee explained that Sport England conducts anonymised surveys within the borough, which are largely self-reported. This was confirmed by Jon Hobday. Councillor Smith raised concerns about low activity levels among teenage girls and asked how many secondary schools are engaged. Lucy acknowledged this as a priority cohort, noting that engagement drops in Years 9–11, and outlined a planned 12?month focus to re?launch targeted initiatives. Councillor Smith also raised green flag parks, outdoor gyms, and Play Streets, highlighting challenges around highways and approvals. Lucy advised there has been supportive advocacy from highways around School Streets.

Councillor Tariq suggested using the Parks Strategic Forum to progress this agenda and noted the importance of councillors’ role in policymaking. Ben Dunne reinforced evidence that Teaches Active is effective, with funding invested in teacher training to embed change, similar to “My Happy Mind”. He highlighted KS3 programmes and the importance of sustained leadership engagement, noting change will not happen overnight.

Councillor FitzGerald asked about activity options for teenage girls in deprived areas, such as dance, and how activity can fit naturally into daily routines. Discussion emphasised making environments easier for people to be active and reducing sedentary behaviours. Adrian Crook reflected on mapping data, noting denser housing areas often show lower activity, influenced by transport access and built environment. Dr Cathy Fines highlighted that around 66.6% of activity relates to everyday movement, questioned alignment with other datasets, and stressed the importance of strength and balance for all adults, including older populations.

Jon Hobday summarised the wider health and healthy weight impacts, noting that inactivity affects around a quarter of adults and that targeting children is vital for long-term change. A system-wide approach involving structure, environment and culture was emphasised. EDI considerations were raised by Councillor Tariq, including deeper use of the EDI action plan, learning from BAME women engagement, and ensuring work is sustainable and collaborative.

Links with primary care and social prescribing were discussed. Dr Fines noted opportunities through over?40s health checks to signpost patients to physical activity. Councillor Smith asked whether community pharmacies could be involved. An action was agreed to work with Healthwatch to explore a pilot via community pharmacies in Councillor Smith’s ward. There was recognition of challenges within social prescribing but agreement that walking and physical activity remain key opportunities. GM Population Health community champions were identified as a potential model to support behaviour change.

It Was Agreed:

·       The Update be noted