Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the first item. Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health, and officers, requested sub-committee members to consider how to incorporate a holistic approach to health into the work of the council, including preventative healthy lifestyles.

Dr Somen Banerjee began by emphasising the importance of early years and child health, as the borough has one of the highest levels of child poverty in England. There are also higher levels of unhealthy weight and tooth decay in children and due to the pandemic, an increase in speech and language needs and higher mental health concerns. Details were also given on the current work to reduce and prevent the rise of youth vaping in the borough and the concerns around energy drinks, sugar and caffeine.

Pheobe Kalungi, Public Health Programme Lead for Children and Adolescents, then outlined the targeted high impact areas within child health and development, specifically the health and wellbeing of children aged between 0 and 19 years. This also focuses on improving parental mental health and healthy weight for both parents prior to raising children. This includes more awareness of alcohol consumption and smoking, to reduce the risk of harm to the child and further promoting a reduction in inequalities for mothers from black and ethnic groups.

Other considerations include more support with breastfeeding to begin the process of supplying nutritious and healthy food. Promoting stronger connections with external family members in raising children to live a healthy lifestyle and become confident in speech, language and wellbeing. Ms Kalungi then noted the various promotional health services now available in the borough.

Georgia Ramirez, Public Health Programme Lead, followed with a brief overview on how investments in health and wellbeing are implemented. This includes the maternity services at the Royal London Hospital in conjunction with the UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative specialists. Around £3.5 million has been invested in public health grants for health and wellbeing activities and children and family centres. Sub-committee members were also informed of the accreditation given to the maternity services.

Kate Smith, Head of Healthy Lives, then discussed the Healthy Lives initiative which works in partnership with Public Health, schools and other partners supporting schools to promote healthy environments. Details were given on the Healthy Schools Awards, where LBTH  has received more awards than any other London borough from the Mayor of London, and the ‘Daily Mile’, where children are encouraged to maintain physical activity by leaving their desks for 15 minutes to walk or run.  Further work with Contract Services is ongoing to ensure sugar intake is reduced in school deserts and that healthy food is provided for all children.

Grace Walker, Interim Head of Strategy, Commissioning and Youth, noted the current work to promote THRIVE, a person centred needs led approach to good mental health for all residents. Details on the strategic needs health assessment, compiled by partners outlines the boroughs health needs to enable effective assistance. The objectives of the mental health programme will enable early prevention to reduce the need for specialist mental health intervention at a later stage. Support for young residents is available from a range of services in schools, voluntary organisations, partners and online throughout the borough.

Further to  questions from the sub-committee, Somen Banerjee and Officers:

·       Confirmed that a combined effort to combat the supply of vapes to children is ongoing with the ‘Combined Drugs Partnership’, with Trading Standards, borough schools and Community Safety to warn of the dangers. This includes the illegal supply of vapes laced with drugs such as ‘Spice’ and new legislation will prohibit retailers selling and marketing vapes, as they are not recommended for children.

·       Noted that a stakeholder workshop took place in November 2023 regarding education, prevention and enforcement to discourage shops to sell sweet tasting vapes, which can entice children. Further workshops will be considered.

·       Explained that further work with parents and childminders is ongoing to understand the low uptake of free childcare and early education, as places are available.

·       Clarified that the East Safe service supports young people with substance abuse issues and visit schools to promote awareness. The All East service supports older people.

·       Noted that concerns around portion sizes for the free school meals initiative have been relayed to the catering services within the borough for consideration, as uptake has increased by around 85-95% in some schools. It was noted that energy drinks are prohibited in schools, although further work on promotional safety campaigns on social media with young residents are being considered. A written brief on the uptake figures will be submitted for the sub-committee for review by the next meeting.

·       Confirmed that a written brief on evaluations conducted on the positive impact of Safe East, Healthy Lives and THEWS has made will be sent to the sub-committee for review.

·       Explained that collaboration with schools and Kooth, an online counselling service is ongoing within departments to support young people with mental health concerns as well as mindfulness and stress reduction projects and more promotion of family style dining within schools. 

·       Thanked sub-committee members for their feedback and ongoing support in visiting schools.

RESOLVED that;

1.    A written multi-agency brief on tackling the  issue of ‘spice’ in vapes within Tower Hamlets be brought back to the sub-committee.

2.    An updated evaluation report on child health be brought to a later  sub-committee meeting.

3.    A written brief on uptake figures for Free School Meals to be submitted to the sub-committee for review by 09 May 2024 meeting.

4.    A written brief on evaluations undertaken on the positive impact Safe East, Healthy Lives and THEWS initiatives have made to the borough will be brought to the sub-committee.

5.    That the presentation be noted.