Agenda item

Max Chauhan, representing BHRUT, arrived during this item.

Fiona Wright, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, LBBD, gave a presentation on the background to the Barking Riverside development and the importance of its role in the regeneration of both the Borough and the east of London sub-regional area.  The development would provide 10,800 primarily family home units of mixed tenure that will bring an expected 30,000 residents to Barking Riverside, a high proportion of which would be children and young adults.  In addition, the aim was for the community assets at Riverside, including recreational, open space parkland and riverside mud-land areas, to be managed by the community in due course. 

Fiona also explained the principles behind being a Healthy Town and the work that had been undertaken for Barking Riverside to become the only Healthy New Town site in London.  The bid had resulted in funding of £150,000 this year and around £180,000 for the next two years and also support from NHS England and others to roll out the new Healthy Town project. 

The presentation also covered the priorities and proposed activities, which were also set out in the report, around the principles of:

·  Connected Community / No-one left behind

·  Lifelong Health

·  Sense of Place

·  Healthy Mind and Body

·  Future Health and Care.

Fiona also drew attention to the 10 Healthy Town Principles, which were already included in the Section 106 development strategy, and the need to use learning from Barking Riverside in other development in the Borough.  This could be extended to each locality to ensure that the 10 Healthy New Towns principles are embedded within the growth areas. 

In response to a question from Councillor Bright, LBBD Cabinet Member for Equalities and Cohesion, Fiona confirmed that community engagement was an integral part of the project and that a variety of engagement routes had been used in order to obtain the views and needs of all residents, including the hard to reach groups and the elderly.

In response to a question from Healthwatch, in regard to the growing health concerns from air pollution, Fiona advised that the number of car spaces would be limited and there would be walkways, cycleways and public transport to encourage active travel, which together with the work being undertaken on biodiversity and planting would reduce the air pollution.  The Chair reminded the Board that the A13 tunnels would also help to reduce the pollution along the whole A13 corridor. 

The CCG commended Fiona for her work, which had been instrumental in bring health and planning together.  Sarah D’ Souza, CCG, explained the way in which the CCG were planning to roll-out the health services as the project progressed and more people moved into the area.  This would include utilising the under capacity at the three existing GP surgeries and the Health Centre by providing extended hours and more flexible use of the central pace.  Sarah explained that services would be monitored and further facilities would be engineered to open to provide the extra capacity as the tipping point on pressure was reached.  Healthwatch asked what additional acute health provision would be provided as the numbers of people expanded, bearing in mind the pressures that were already being experienced in the local hospitals.  Sarah advised that a new large centre would be opened at Barking Reach, which would enable more services to be provided locally, however, the CCG were also aware of the planning required for acute needs.  Cllr Turner was concerned about the impression that was being given to existing communities in the area, including Thames View, and the language being used especially phrases such as ‘under capacity’ when residents were waiting for days, or weeks, for appointments and treatment locally.  Sarah responded that it was more about the density of use of the existing buildings and shared use, for example one reception for all GPs.  Matthew Cole, Director of Public Health, reminded the Board that the intention of the PCT Lift Programme was to do exactly that, including higher use through initiatives such as three-shifts per day services, but it was only now that the Lift ideals were starting to come to fruition.  It was suggested that discussion should be held with the Ward Councillors on how to impart information on the proposals and to engage with residents.  Anne Bristow advised that the NHS was also looking at the various forms of local provision, such as walk-in, out-of-hours, health centres and poly-clinics, as this could be confusing for the public.

The Board noted the definition of affordable housing and that discussions were being held with developers to maximise the opportunities for local people through various types of tenure / ownership.  

The Board:

(i)  Endorsed the vision of Barking Riverside Healthy New Town, as set out in the report;

(ii)  Recommended that each locality ensures that the 10 Healthy New Towns principles are embedded within the growth areas of their locality;

(iii)  Agreed that the learning from Barking Riverside Healthy New Town is considered on a regular basis to inform other developments within Barking and Dagenham; and

(iv)   Noted that a meeting would be arranged with the Ward Councillors in regard to the approach to explain capacity and other proposals to residents.