Issue - meetings

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

To consider a report by the Assistant Director - Customer and Community Services

This report details the Public Health Activity undertaken by the South Lakeland Area Support Team and Locality Public Health Manager

A report was considered from the Assistant Director - Customer and Community Services regarding a Community Development and Public Health Activity update. The report drew attention to key Community Development and Public Health Activity undertaken by the South Lakeland Area Support Team and the Locality Public Health Manager.   

The Public Health Locality Manager presented the report. He talked about the following areas with regard to the Cost of Living Crisis:

·      Situational awareness and information gathering

·      Communication

·      Affordable warmth

·      Income maximisation and money management

·      Community support

·      Food poverty

·      Housing

·      Mental wellbeing

Advice about accessing the COVID vaccine booster was also provided.

The Chair noted a recent Government announcement regarding a fund for promoting energy saving and if there was any financial help for residents with oil heaters.

The Public Health Locality Manager commented there were some existing schemes and it was anticipated the money would be more targeted at District Councils but no details were available.  He noted that there was limited help for residents with oil heating systems and Cumbria County Council had provided grants.

Dr Jarvis remarked about schemes administered by South Lakeland District Council for help up to £10,000 and the latest tranche was up to £25,000 so there were significant sums available.

The Local Member for Upper Kent commented that COVID booster vaccines had taken place in his division, however there had been little notice given of the dates and hoped there would be opportunity for promoting details about new dates in the future.

The Public Health Locality Manager noted that the NHS was leading on the vaccine programme and highlighted the huge pressures that the NHS were working under and the fact it was a huge area for a small team to cover and asked if members did see future vaccine dates for them to publicise the dates.

The Chair thanked the Public Health Locality Manager for his update.