Decision details

The committee considered the report which proposed the adoption of a ‘healthier food and drink advertising policy’ as part of efforts to prioritise residents’ health and wellbeing and to reduce health inequalities in the borough.

The committee agreed that it was important to encourage individuals to have a nutritional diet and suggested that this was explored further with schools and Everybody Leisure to further expand the ethos to encourage people to move more and choose healthier food options. It was reported that a piece of work was underway that would pick up elements of this with the ’ ‘Eat  Well, Move More Partnership’ which brought together key providers including Everybody Leisure representatives, members of the community and voluntary sector. Officers agreed to ensure that representation from the school communities were linked into this group going forward.

The committee queried the buy-in and feedback from outlets and what impact had been seen in other areas. It was confirmed that in other local authority areas that had implemented the policy, there had been impact seen in relation to the amount of high fat food being advertised and advertisements shifting to advertising more healthier options. It was noted that it was difficult to measure the impact from a public health perspective and linking obesity rates to advertising however the policy was part of a wider solution to reduce health inequalities across the borough.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Corporate Policy Committee

1.    Approve and agree the adoption of the draft Healthier Advertising Policy (food and non-alcoholic drink) set out in Appendix 1.

2.    Delegate to the Director of Public Health the responsibility to roll out the policy across the Council and take any necessary actions to implement the approved policy.

The meeting adjourned for a 10-minute break at 11.35 and reconvened at 11.45am