Lead Member: Councillor Dawn Husemann, Chair of the Health in All Policies (HiAP) & Planning Task and Finish Group

Lead Officer: Sophie Foster, Overview and Scrutiny Officer

RESOLVED:

·       To consider and comment on the report and recommendations of the Health in All Policies & Planning Task and Finish Group attached at Appendix I.

·       To endorse those recommendations of the Task and Finish Group which relate to Shropshire Council, as set out in Section 8 of the appended report.

·       To provide a formal response to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including an action plan setting out what will be done, by when, for recommendations that are accepted, and reasons for any recommendations that are not accepted.

Councillor Rosie Radford, previous Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Dawn Husemann, Chair of the Task and Finish Group presented the report.   The Task and Finish Group had established the significant impact planning policy and practice could have on health, wellbeing and independence, supporting prevention, independence and reduced demand on adult social care and children’s services.  The review emphasised the need for early collaboration between planning, housing, public health and social care services to support healthy and sustainable communities, particularly in rural areas.

A question was raised regarding delivery of the Council's 40% affordable housing ambition and how a pragmatic approach would be balanced against this objective. In response, the Group advised that evidence gathered during the review demonstrated the importance of considering scheme viability to ensure developments are delivered, recommending greater focus on viability assessments to maximise the provision of suitable homes.

Cabinet commended the thorough evidence-based approach and supported the report's focus on prevention, accessibility, healthy communities and joined-up working.   It fully endorsed the recommendations and agreed that a formal response and action plan be provided to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

·         To consider and comment on the report and recommendations of the Health in All Policies & Planning Task and Finish Group attached at Appendix I.

·         To endorse those recommendations of the Task and Finish Group which relate to Shropshire Council, as set out in Section 8 of the appended report.

·         To provide a formal response to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including an action plan setting out what will be done, by when, for recommendations that are accepted, and reasons for any recommendations that are not accepted.