The Committee considered a report introducing the principle of embedding a Health in All Policies approach across the Council and setting out a proposed framework and actions for embedding the approach.  The draft Health in All Policies (HiAP) Framework was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the HiAP Framework was a collaborative approach that aimed to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of Reading residents by embedding the consideration of health, equity and sustainability into Council policy and decision-making processes across the work of all services.  The Council had already made good progress in seeking to embed health in all policies across the Council and the framework set out the ambition to go further and ensure that the impact on health and reducing health inequalities was at the heart of all decision making across the Council.

The report noted that over the previous 12 months the Council had taken a series of steps to inform the HiAP Framework with the intention of developing a systematic approach. This had included workshops facilitated by the Local Government Association with the Senior Leadership Team and Lead Councillors, greater investment into the public health team, the production of a State of the Borough Report and the creation of a HiAP Fund to help services address public health needs.  HiAP embraced the complexity of seeking long term outcomes through sustained coordinated actions across directorates, agencies, and professional silos. The HiAP Framework set out a change management approach and engagement plan that would provide a systematic process that engaged leadership and staff in preparing for change, communicating the vision, implementing the change, embedding it into daily operations, and reviewing the outcomes.

Resolved –

That the Health in All Policies Framework as set out in Appendix 1 be adopted and its implementation endorsed.