Agenda item

The Committee considered the following report:

 

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

 

1.1       The purpose of this report is to:

 

·        Provide an update in relation to the forthcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) International Healthy Cities Conference being hosted in Belfast Waterfront from     1-4 October 2018 and the WHO Healthy Cities Phase VII programme which is due to commence in January 2019.

 

2.0       Recommendations

 

2.1       Committee is asked to:

 

·        Note the contents of the report.

·        Agree that the Committee Chair and Deputy (or their nominees) attends the conference and potentially participate as chair and / or discussant in relation to the learning through practice sessions and strategic workshops.

·        Agree that Councillor Copeland, as Chair of the Age Friendly Reference Group attends the conference and participates as chair and or / discussant in the Healthy Ageing side event being held on 1 October. 

·        Note that a Committee report will be presented to SP&R Committee on 17 August 2018, providing an update in relation to the forthcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) International Healthy Cities Conference being hosted in Belfast Waterfront from 1-4 October 2018 and the WHO Healthy Cities Phase VII programme which is due to commence in January 2019.

 

3.0       Main Report

 

            Key Issues

 

            WHO International Healthy Cities Conference 1-4 October 2018

 

3.1       In 2018, the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, celebrates its 30th year as a network and global movement. The highlight of the celebrations will be the conference, which is being hosted in Belfast Waterfront from 1 to 4 October.  

 

3.2       As well as celebrating 30 years of Healthy Cities as a network and a global movement, the conference will focus on the 6 themes established by the WHO European Healthy Cities Network’s Political Vision Group, which are people, place, participation, prosperity, planet and peace.

 

3.3       For three decades the Healthy Cities movement has been a pioneering driver of change, creating healthier urban settings that support the health and well-being of the people that use them. It has also inspired Healthy Cities Networks to grow in all other WHO regions, creating a global push for healthy cities and positioning health high on the social, economic and political agenda of city governments. As a result, city health profiles have evolved as an indispensable tool for informing citizens, policy-makers and politicians about health and also as an evidence base for city health planning.

 

3.4       The conference, which takes place every five years, offers cities the chance to engage with their international counterparts and benefit from the Network’s experience. The four day programme in Belfast will provide opportunities to learn from the work of Healthy Cities globally, bringing together politicians and key decision-makers, as well as technical experts. The conference will provide inspiration and insight through multiple examples of innovative ways to improve health and well-being.

 

3.5       Belfast Healthy Cities has taken a lead in the management and organisation of the conference. A Steering Group and Events Team have been established, together with several Committees to ensure that a successful, well organised and enjoyable conference is delivered on behalf of Belfast City.

 

3.6       Council officers have been liaising with Belfast Healthy Cities in relation to conference arrangements and are supporting the programme through the delivery of six specific site visits. Furthermore, Council Officers are proactively working to ensure that the conference is recognised as a conference for the city and that the health and well-being vision and ambitions in the Belfast Agenda and the Local Development Plan, together with the priorities of the Belfast Strategic Partnership are highlighted, thus illustrating a long term commitment to address health inequalities across Belfast. It is hoped that opportunities can be created to demonstrate Council’s civic leadership on an international platform and to showcase Belfast as a great place to visit and do business.

 

3.7       Additionally, following Council’s Friendly Co-operation Agreement with Shenyang in 2014 and subsequent Sister City Status in 2016, discussions are ongoing with Belfast Healthy Cities to ensure that a conference invitation is extended to the Mayor of Shenyang and consideration is being given to the Shenyang Mayor’s involvement in the conference side events.

 

3.8       In February 2018, Belfast Healthy Cities published a call for abstracts, resulting in three hundred and fifty abstracts being received. These have been assessed and successful delegates are in the process of being informed.

 

3.9       Seven side events are being developed that will be held at the start of the conference. These events will provide delegates with the opportunity to participate in a range of off-site seminars, focusing on topics such as healthy aging, healthy places, early years and peace, all of which reflect the vision and outcomes that have been captured in the Belfast Agenda.

 

3.10      Additionally, seventeen sites visits, relating to the conference themes, have been confirmed for the third day of the conference. These site visits will provide delegates the opportunity to learn about good practice examples being delivered in Belfast, in relation to the six key themes as outlined in point 3.2 above. The planned visits will range from physical projects such as the Connswater Community Greenway and the Regional Trauma Unit, to urban governance models and community initiatives. Furthermore, a number of tours taking in different parts of the city, will offer delegates the opportunity to experience Belfast from a different perspective. The site visits include the following:

 

·        People:Innovative approaches to medicine Regional Trauma Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital; Diversity in South Belfast.

·        Place: Shaping the future development of Belfast, a Local Development Plan; Connswater Community Greenway; Supported Housing for people living with dementia and developing Dementia Friendly Communities; Public health tour of Belfast.

·        Participation: Treating conditions, exercise through prescriptions; W5 Science Centre; Early years intervention approaches in Shankill; Belfast an age-friendly city; Belfast a UNESCO Learning City.

·        Prosperity:Sustainable growth, a city region deal, Prosperity along the river Lagan; Glider, a new mode of travel for Belfast.

·        Planet:Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University; Bryson Recycling, leading social enterprise; Devonish Nutrition, Dowth Farm Visit.

·        Peace:Care Zone in North Belfast; Health and Housing; Creating a shared city; Irish language in east Belfast.

 

3.11      A copy of the draft conference programme was available on modern.gov

 

3.12      Dr Janez Poto?nik, the Co-chair of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Resource Panel, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the forthcoming conference. Dr Poto?nik is a former Commissioner for Environment and previously Commissioner for Science and Research in the European Commission. In those roles and his current position as the Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel, he has played a key role in policy making on natural resources and in the transition to a circular economy.  Dr Poto?nik will deliver a keynote address during the conference and will also participate in a panel discussion during the event. 

 

3.13      An informal request has been received for the Chair and Deputy Chair of the People & Communities Committee to attend and potentially Chair one of the learning through practice sessions and / or strategic workshops. Further details in relation to these sessions and workshops are expected from Belfast Healthy Cities within the next few weeks.

 

3.14      An informal request has been received for Councillor Copeland, as Chair of the Age Friendly Reference Group, to attend the conference and Chair or speak at a Healthy Ageing side event session being hosted on 1 October 2018. Further details in relation to this session are expected from Belfast Healthy Cities within the next few weeks.

 

3.15      An informal request has been received from Belfast Healthy Cities, seeking the Chief Executive to possibly deliver the Key Note 2 speech on 3 October and also to participate in the conference closing session on 4 October.

 

3.16      It is also anticipated that there will be opportunities for additional Elected Members and Council officers to be involved in the conference as chairs and / or discussants in relation to the learning through practice sessions and strategic workshops.

 

3.17      Belfast Healthy Cities has also submitted a request for Council volunteers, fluent in European languages (German in particular), to act as interpreters during the conference.

 

            The conference will also provide the opportunity to close Phase VI of WHO Healthy Cities and commence preparation in relation to Phase VII. Details of Phase VII will be announced, together with the new cohort of designated healthy cities.

 

            WHO European Healthy Cities Phase VII (2019 – 2024)

 

3.18      The WHO European Healthy Cities Phase VII expression of interest is expected to be released from WHO in July 2018. The process for completion and submission of an expression of interest from Belfast requires a letter of support from the Lord Mayor. This element of the Phase VII application process will be progressed further when the expression of interest is made available, however will be required before the conference in October.

 

3.19      The goals and framework for Phase VII will be agreed at the conference and will be known as the Belfast Charter.

 

3.20      In order to be re-designated as a WHO Healthy City, and participate in Phase VII, Belfast will need to complete a Phase VII application, including consultation, by December 2018. Details of the application criteria are expected to be released in September 2018.

 

3.21      Belfast Healthy Cities will take a lead on preparation of the Phase VII application. Council Officers have been liaising with Belfast Healthy Cities in relation to this application and have highlighted the importance of Phase VII aligning to the priorities in the Belfast Agenda and Local Development Plan as well as the work of the Belfast Strategic Partnership.    

 

3.22      Historically, Council has provided a funding contribution to support the work of Belfast Healthy Cities which is reviewed on an annual basis. Given Council’s ongoing significant organisation change and efficiencies programme, it has been highlighted to Belfast Healthy Cities that it is unlikely Council will be in a position to continue the same level of partnership funding in future years. The introduction of Phase VII is an opportunity to revisit the existing governance and model of funding and delivery.

 

3.23      Financial and Resource Implications

 

            WHO International Healthy Cities Conference 1-4 October 2018

 

3.24      At the present time there are no financial implications to report in relation to the WHO International Healthy Cities Conference being held in Belfast from 1 – 4 October 2018.

 

            Ongoing resource commitments in relation to the conference are being progressed within existing resources. Additionally, further council officer involvement during the conference, in relation to practice sessions and workshops, will be delivered within existing resources. 

 

3.25      A request has been received from Belfast Healthy Cities seeking Council volunteers who are fluent in European languages to act as interpreters during the conference. If volunteers are available, this support will be delivered within existing resources. 

 

3.26      The Council has contributed £81,294 in the current year to Belfast Healthy Cities.

 

3.27      Equality or Good Relations Implications /

            Rural Needs Assessment

 

            At present there are no equality, good relations or rural needs assessment issues to report.”

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.