Content

10.1

The Director of Public Health submitted a
report providing an overview of and seek approval for
‘Fairer, Healthier, Greener’ the proposed new Food
Strategy for Sheffield. The report invites member input on areas of
the Food Strategy that should be prioritised by Sheffield City
Council (the Council) during its implementation in order to maximise its contribution to corporate
goals including Net Zero, better health and reducing
inequalities.
 
The report also provides an overview of the
proposed new commissioning model for improving diet and preventing
obesity 2024-29 which forms an integral part of the new Food
Strategy’s implementation.
 
The report also then outlines and seeks
approval for the recommended initiatives that will be supported by
the annual investment proposed of £658,000 per year for 5
years (£3.29m in total) from the Public Health grant
allocation

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-
 

 

(a) approves the food strategy ‘Fairer,
Healthier, Greener: A Food Strategy for Sheffield’;
 
(b) commits to developing policy regarding
food served in council owned spaces so that it reflects the
aspirations set out in ‘Fairer, Healthier,
Greener’;
 
(c) acknowledges the Council’s
commitment to working with local communities and partners to
identify spaces where sustainable food production and provision can
be accommodated;
 
(d) approves the ‘improving diet,
preventing obesity proposed commissioning model 2024-29’;
 
(e) approves the allocation of £658,000
per year, for the next 5 years, (£3.29m in total) as outlined
in this report; and
 
(f) approves the commissioning of the Tier 2
child and adult weight management contract, as outlined in this
report.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

10.3.1

The proposal set before the Strategy and
Resources Committee is the preferred option because:

 

 

10.3.2

Poverty, poor diet
and the impacts of climate change are some of the most serious
public health challenges of the 21st century. Current local trends
for dietary indicators and obesity are worsening in many cases and
inequalities are widening. Without action, the health of
individuals and of our planet will continue to worsen, health
inequalities associated with poor diet obesity will persist and the
economic and social costs will increase to unsustainable
levels.

 

 

10.3.3

The proposed improving nutrition and obesity
prevention commissioning model 2024-2029 is based on analysis of
local need, reviews of existing local initiatives, service user
feedback, and draws on good practice and evidence of what works. It
builds on learning from the 2019-2024 commissioning strategy and
represents a refinement of this approach within the available
funding rather than being a radical departure.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Renew the 2018 Food Strategy. The 2018 Food
Strategy had a primary focus on nutrition. A motion was passed in
2021 which committed the Council to develop a new Food Strategy
which a broader set of outcomes. The new Food Strategy also better
reflects the Council’s Net Zero aspirations and has been
updated to take account of the significant impact of the pandemic
and subsequent cost of living crisis on people’s ability to
access nutritious food.

 

 

10.4.2

Re-commission or extend current contracts and
initiatives at the current level of funding. The broad approach to
tackling poor diet and obesity is to remain the same as it
continues to reflect an evidence based, whole-systems approach.
However, as outlined in this report, service reviews and analysis
of Sheffield’s programme for improving diet and preventing
obesity identified some cost pressures, opportunities for
efficiencies and gaps in activity which can be partially addressed
through re-profiling of funding across the priorities.

 

 

10.4.3

Bring weight management services in house. It
is recommended that weight management services be put out to open
tender as has been the case since these services were first
established. Going through an open tender process will enable us to
ensure value for money and secure an external provider with
specialist expertise and experience delivering this service.