Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director Transformation.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve: -

(1)  the recommendations set out in Appendix 1 of the Wellbeing Exeter Review report;

(2)  the Director Transformation and the Service Lead - Active and Healthy People be granted delegated authority, to enter into a contractually binding agreements with strategic partners to deliver the Wellbeing Exeter programme for 2021-2024;

(3)  the Director Transformation and the Service Lead - Active and Healthy People in agreement with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture be granted delegated authority, to spend earmarked Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds amounting to £794,682 in respect of the Wellbeing Exeter programme from the Neighbourhood Portion of the CIL for the period from 2021 to 2024. This would form part of the full proposed programme budget of £3,385,516 with pooled resources provided by strategic programme partners as follows:

·         Devon County Council (£729,766);

·         Sport England (£1,428,500)

·         Local Exeter Primary Care Networks (£410,568);

(4)  the adoption of the new governance proposal for Wellbeing Exeter as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the proposed continuation of the Wellbeing Exeter programme and associated governance review alongside the strategy and resource plan for delivering the programme to March 2024.

The Active and Healthy People Programme Lead made particular reference to:-

·         Wellbeing Exeter was a partnership of public, voluntary and community sector organisations working together to support the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, the key strategic funders pooling resources being Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, Sport England and the city’s four Primary Care Networks;

·         the programme being managed by local delivery partner Devon Community Foundation;

·         Sport England had awarded Exeter City Council a lottery funding agreement of £1,759,000 to expand Wellbeing Exeter and embed active lifestyles within the programme as part of the national Local Delivery Pilot scheme, being part of the Exeter and Cranbrook ‘Live & Move’ programme;

·         Wellbeing Exeter had played a key role in the Council’s community response during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Resulting from this, the strategic partners had reviewed the programme delivery and committed to a new three year strategy. A key aim for the re-designed Wellbeing Exeter model was to respond to the challenges identified through Covid-19 and deliver a programme that supports those residents and communities suffering the greatest health impact as a result of the Pandemic;

·         strategic partners across the city identified the Wellbeing of Exeter residents and communities as one of the key priorities of the Liveable Exeter Place Board in delivering its Covid-19 City Recovery Strategy; and

·         the proposals included robust governance arrangements.

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition leader, welcomed the partnership approach embedded in the proposals. She sought confirmation that financial contributions would be forthcoming prior to the year end to ensure that there would be no delay in the delivery of schemes. In terms of governance arrangements, she referred to the absence of the voluntary sector in the Wellbeing Exeter Commissioning Board and to the role and reporting arrangements of the Liveable Exeter Place Board in the overall structure. She suggested that greater transparency in the governance structure should be provided prior to consideration of the proposals by Council.

Councillor Leadbetter, as an opposition leader, supported the report and, in particular, the recommended governance arrangements. He stated that the level of Member involvement was to be welcomed and that the project would be of great benefit to Exeter and its residents and highlighted the value of partnership working.

During the discussion the following points were made:-

·         cross party support for the initiative is welcome;

·         the partnership approach has been vital in bringing the scheme to the forefront of the health agenda across the country, in helping change people’s lives in Exeter and in attracting additional financial support to the city; and

·         through the work of the Community Builders and Community Connectors communities, as well as the lives of residents, have been enriched.

The Chief Executive & Growth Director stated that the Exeter Wellbeing initiative was one of the most impressive projects he had been involved with. The Council’s commitment to community support and development had grown exponentially over the years from the engagement of a single community development officer to a £3.4 million investment programme committed to supporting the health of its residents. This commitment to the health agenda was particularly impressive for a District Council, a commitment which had led to the £1.4 million investment by Sport England for the Council to become one of the partners in this pioneering pilot project in promoting active and healthy lifestyles. It was an excellent example of an Asset Based Community Development approach which embraced many partners in helping promote healthy lifestyles in addition to the social prescribing role of GP’s.

The Chair referred to the following elements delivered by the Programme:-

·         four Primary Care networks covering 17 GP practices in the city referring patients;

·         16 Community Connectors supporting individual residents to improve their wellbeing, expanded to include children and young people 11+ and families;

·         13 Community Builders covering every ward in the city, identifying social resources, stimulating activity and helping those communities to thrive and develop; and

·         four Community Physical Activity Organisers supporting individuals and communities to be more active in their everyday life.

The Chair, in commending the governance arrangements, emphasised that Members would be invited to twice annual briefings by the Programme Lead alongside the Portfolio Holders where updates would be provided on the progress of Wellbeing Exeter, its ongoing impact with Members provided with opportunities to engage further with the programme.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)        the recommendations as set out in Appendix 1 of the Wellbeing Exeter Review report;

(2)        the Director Transformation and the Service Lead – Active and Healthy People be granted delegated authority, to enter into a contractually binding agreements with strategic partners to deliver the Wellbeing Exeter programme for 2021-2024;

(3)        the Director Transformation and the Service Lead – Active and Healthy People in agreement with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture be granted delegated authority, to spend earmarked Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds amounting to £794,682 in respect of the Wellbeing Exeter programme from the Neighbourhood Portion of the CIL for the period from 2021 to 2024. This would form part of the full proposed programme budget of £3,385,516 with pooled resources provided by strategic programme partners as follows:

·         Devon County Council (£729,766);

·         Sport England (£1,428,500); and

·         Local Exeter Primary Care Networks (£410,568); and

(4)        the adoption of the new governance proposal for Wellbeing Exeter as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.