Agenda item: 14

LANCASHIRE HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME – REVIEW

Report of the External Review Committee.

FOREWORD

By the Chairman of the External Review Committee, Councillor Charles Gains

The External Review Committee at West District Council carried out a review of the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme with promotes healthy eating and activity among schoolchildren.

We started the scrutiny project in October 2004 and the Committee visited some local schools to share with pupils the school dinner experience.

St Helen’s Borough Council welcomed us to seminar that they had organised for the schools in their area to show us initiatives they had put in place. As part of the visit we were also able to meet with Council Members and Officers including a representative from St Helens and Knowsley Primary Care Trust.

A special thank you goes to Davina Parr, Public Health Development Manager and Amanda Gordon, Healthy Schools Specialist from Primary Care Trust, for their expert advice and assistance and the time they gave in attending meetings and site visits..

I would also like to thank all those Members and Officers who gave their time to attend meetings and site visits and the following, for the time they gave to the Committee, without their input the review would not have proceeded so successfully:

• The School Travel Plan Advisor – Lancashire County Council • Senior Operations Manager – Menus and Nutrition, Catering Division – Lancashire County Council • Commercial Services – Lancashire County Council • • Ormskirk C E School • Delphside , Glenburn Sports College, Skelmersdale • Glenburn Sports College, Skelmersdale • Principal Officer for Healthy Schools- St Helens Council

By the Primary Care Trust

"The involvement of the External Review Committee in reviewing the National Healthy Schools Standard in local schools has helped us enormously in terms of raising awareness of the issues around the health of children and young people. This has been very timely with issues such as childhood obesity, increased levels of tooth decay, and a decline in physical activity taking centre stage on public health agenda's. The key to improving the health of our local population is through effective partnership working. The External Review Committee has acted very much as the catalyst for our organisations, to work closely together to form joint action plans on promoting healthy eating and the uptake of physical activity in schools. This has proven to be an excellent example of partnership working which I'm sure will continue well into the future and have a long lasting positive impact on the health of our local communities."

THE REVIEW

Terms of Reference

Members of the Committee agreed to conduct the review in order to: (1) To establish any links to the Sports Development Service Action Plan – links to local activities.

(2) To examine if the Council should play a proactive role in the Physical Activity Quality Standard and Healthy Eating Quality Standard which would support the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme.

(3) To obtain feedback from children and young people on what they would like.

(4) To assist in raising the profile of the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme.

To investigate the feasibility of creating a Health Improvement Local Implementation Team (HILITE) to take forward the act (1) Examine the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme and investigate how West Lancashire District Council might contribute to it, in particular the Physical Activity Quality Standard and the Healthy Eating Quality Standard.

(2) To make recommendations to Cabinet/Council on the Committee’s findings.

Objectives

(5) To establish if the Council are involved in the programme at present.

(6) To find out what type of Physical Activity provision is presently available and identify any gaps.

(7) ions in school settings.

(8) To investigate how incentives for schools can be introduced to take part in the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme.

(9) To investigate how more school travel plans can be introduced as set out in the Community Strategy.

(10) To make comparison with other Local Authorities to find out what they are doing to support the local programme in their area.

(11) Compare individual schools in the area, those that have reached the Physical Activity Quality Standard and Healthy Eating Quality Standard and those that haven’t and the reasons why.

RECOMMENDATIONS

(1) That in relation to Primary Schools it be noted that there seems to be a co- ordinated approach to healthy schools, particularly in respect of school meals, which was demonstrated in Ormskirk C E and Delphside Primary when the Committee visited and that progress was generally excellent and commitment strong.

(2) That in relation to Secondary Schools it be noted:

a. that there appeared to be a lack of a co-ordinated approach in respect of School meals, which was demonstrated when visiting Ormskirk School and Glenburn Sports College. b. that it was pleasing that Ormskirk School had put in place some positive measures in relation to healthy eating following the visit by the Committee. c. that progress on healthy schools was generally good and commitment strong.

(3) That Schools and Lancashire County Council be asked to note the best practice highlighted from the visits made by the Committee, particularly the following:

a. water being made freely available throughout the school, particularly in the dining area. b. unhealthy options being priced at a higher rate than healthy options, in secondary schools, to encourage higher uptake of the healthier foods. c. the introduction of a card system when purchasing school meals, allocating points to the healthy option foods, and awarding prizes for those pupils reaching a certain number of points. d. the introduction of school travel plans. e. incorporating the Healthy Schools programme into the school curriculum. f. the incentives offered to schools in St Helens for achieving accreditation for reaching the Healthy School Standards. g. the importance of providing a pleasant environment and adequate time for pupils to eat.

(4) That the Action Plan in respect of Physical Activity be noted. (Appendix 2)

(5) That the Action Plan in respect of Healthy Eating be noted. (Appendix 3)

(6) That the Healthy Schools initiative be considered by relevant Divisional Managers during the monitoring and review processes for all relevant policies and strategies, and resulting action plans.

(7) That the proposals for future years identified in the Action Plans which require additional resources be supported subject to successful growth bids in the 2006/2007 revenue budget.

(8) That the Executive Manager Regeneration and Property assist in exploring and developing all relevant internal and external funding opportunities that are available to manage and deliver agreed Action Plans where required (including those potential funding streams set out in the report of the Executive Manager Regeneration and Property (Appendix 13).

(9) That the Executive Manager Community Services, under the auspices of the Local Strategic Partnership, and in consultation with the Primary Care Trust and other relevant bodies (eg. Lancashire Healthy Schools Steering Group, Health Improvement Local Implementation Team etc.) explore the feasibility of utilising the identified funding opportunities, where appropriate, to deliver key components of the respect Action Plans, particularly in future financial years.

(10) That it be noted that in the coming months a new group, West Lancashire Sport & Physical Activity Network (SPAN), will be established. This group will consist of a number of partners involved in planning and delivering sport and physical activity in West Lancashire and will be led by West Lancashire District Council and West Lancashire Primary Care Trust. Funding Investment from Sport England has been provisionally allocated in the sum of £200,000 (partly as a result of the activity of this committee) to support actions identified by the new Network over the coming three years.

(11) That Council Officers continue to participate in the HILITE (Health Improvement Local Implementation Team) to oversee and monitor the process and adapt interventions accordingly.

(12) That Edge Hill College and other local colleges be approached with a view to encouraging the involvement of local students as volunteers in appropriate community sports initiatives as a curriculum requirement.

(13) That Councillors and officers who are School Governors encourage the implementation of the Healthy Schools Programme in their schools, in particular the National Healthy Schools Status, introduced in September 2005.

(14) That the County Council/Primary Care Trust be asked to look at ways of offering financial incentives to schools to encourage achievement of the standards.

(15) That Councillors and officers who are School Governors be asked to look at their School’s Travel Plan and encourage its development.

(16) That schools be asked to consider staggering school opening and closing times for different year groups to reduce the numbers of pupils leaving and entering to increase their safety.

(17) That the provision of additional safety barriers, particularly at Ormskirk School, given the numbers of pupils and narrowness of pavements, be considered by the County Council.

(18) That if Cabinet/Council were to want to enhance the sports development service at the Council they could consider having 3 full time Sports Development officers that would have the following titles Disability Officer, Rural Sports Development Officer and a Community Street Crime Officer covering all of West Lancashire and also 2 part time 18hr Community Coaching Staff that would have direct links with clubs, education, healthy schools and work around the coaching schemes being developed for the Olympics. Such a team would require adequate accommodation and work stations.

(19) That the significance of the introduction of the “National” Healthy Schools Status and the new Ofsted school evaluation framework be noted.

(20) That the Executive Manager Community Services and the Executive Manager Regeneration and Property explore any opportunities for increasing sporting activities locally, which are likely to come from the London Olympic Games 2012.

(21) That the final report be referred to the Local Strategic Partnership in order to explore how the issue can be incorporated into the thematic groups. (22) That the final report be referred to Lancashire County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee for comments.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE

Members Involved in the Review

Chairman: Councillor Gains Vice Chairman: Councillor Thompson

2004/2005 Councillors: Ainscough, Mrs Atherley, Mrs Colling, Cropper, Draper, Mrs Evans, Gartside, Greenall, Jones, Mee, M Pendleton, A Rice, Saxon, Sinton, Mrs Stephenson and Mrs Westley.

2005/2006 Councillor Ainscough Aldridge, Mrs Atherley, Mrs Colling, Cropper, Mrs Evans, Gartside, Greenall, Jones, Mee, M Pendleton, A Rice, Saxon, Sinton, Mrs Stephenson and Mrs Westley.

Invited Representatives from External Organisations

Davina Parr, Public Health Development Manager, West Lancashire Primary Care Trust Amanda Gordon, Healthy Schools Specialist, West Lancashire Primary Care Trust

Substitute Members

The following Members acted as substitute Members for one or more of the meetings held when considering the review:

Councillors:

Waterworth, Mrs Blake and Swiffen.

METHODS OF ENQUIRY

Meetings

Meetings were held on the following dates:

Thursday 21 October 2004 Wednesday 19 January 2005 Wednesday 9 March 2005 Thursday 7 April 2005 Tuesday 12 July 2005 Tuesday 8 November 2005

Witnesses

Information was gathered from the following witnesses:

Representatives from the Primary Care Trust Representatives from Lancashire County Council Teachers and pupils from: Ormskirk School Ormskirk C E Primary School Delphside Community Primary School, Skelmersdale Glenburn Sports College

Representatives from St Helens Borough Council

Press release

The following press release was sent out on 15 April 2005:

“Schools Dinners for Councillors

West Lancs District Councillors plan to get a taste of school dinner by sitting down with youngsters to find out what's on the menu at a local school.

Members of the External Review Committee are organising the special lunch as part of their review of the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme which promotes healthy eating and activity among schoolchildren. Councillors will be touring some local schools - sharing school dinner on one of their visits - and will also travel to St Helens Borough Council, which has made good progress on encouraging youngsters to be more healthy. They will ask young people and teachers in West Lancashire for their views, and will also consider how West Lancashire District Council can contribute to the programme to improve health among schoolchildren, particularly in relation to physical activity and healthy eating. A final report will be drawn up in Autumn this year, setting out the way forward. Hot on health

Healthy eating and physical activity are very topical issues of great interest to the Council. The review enables councillors to look in depth at the issue, listen to experts and gather evidence, to help them see what progress is being made and also to draw up an action plan to look at how the District Council can be asked to contribute to helping encourage healthy eating and physical activity among young people. The review began in the summer of 2004 and has included a series of presentations to the External Review Committee, which brings together councillors from all parties to carry out an in-depth study of issues of importance to the district. The April meeting of the Committee received a presentation on primary school meals from Lesley Wilkinson, Senior Operations Manger - Menus and Nutrition, Catering Division at Lancashire County Council. Lesley introduced the leaflet which was going out to all parents entitled "Serving you every day - school lunches" and answered questions from Members in a lively interactive session. The Committee welcomed the assistance provided for their work by Amanda Gordon - Healthy Schools Specialist and Davina Parr, Public Health Development Manager, both of the West Lancs PCT.

Committed to a healthier future At its earlier meeting in March members were most impressed by the work being done by schools in West Lancashire, committing to the Certificate of Achievement or quality mark in physical activity and/or healthy eating. The Committee also commended the excellent work of the District Council's Health Promotion Unit who are active in relation to healthy eating with examples such as the "Veggie gang!!" and "Handwashing Workshops" which aim to reinforce to school pupils in a "fun" way important health messages and have been very successful in capturing children's interest. This followed an informative presentation from Mike Tasker - Commercial Safety Manager, Community Services. The Council's work on physical activity among youngsters - including the successful Aqua Fun project was explained by Pete Cooley, Leisure Development Manager Development who has drafted an Action Plan setting out how the District Council could support local schools to achieve the physical activity standard.”

Site Visits

Members of the Committee went on a number of site visits to:

(1) Ormskirk School

(2) Glenburn Sports College, Skelmersdale

(3) Ormskirk C E Primary School

(4) Delphside Primary School, Skelmersdale

(5) St Helens Borough Council

INFORMATION GATHERED

Meeting held on 21 October 2004 in Committee Room 2/3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

The Committee received a presentation (appendix 4) from Davina Parr, Public Health Development Manager and Amanda Gordon, Healthy Schools Specialist from West Lancashire Primary Care Trust which:

• Looked at the impact of our changing lifestyles on the health of children and young people. • Reviewed the national and local action to improve health. • Outlined the Healthy School Standard. • Focused in on physical activity and schools. • Weighed up progress and issues in schools in West Lancashire. • Made recommendations as to the way forward.

Members raised questions and comments in respect of the following issues:-

• Obesity in 6 year olds. • The school curriculum and extra curriculum activities. • Incentives for schools to sign up to the Healthy Schools standards. • Lack of marketing of sport for teenage girls. • Edge Hill – Sport science students being utilised to promote physical activity initiatives. • Proposed reduction in contact time for school teachers, Skelmersdale College running training courses for those standing in for teachers. • Encouraging walking. • School dinners, cooking skills, eating habits and vending machines in schools. • Family intervention. • The healthy eating standard.

The Committee also considered a draft Project Plan for undertaking the review.

Meeting held on 19 January 2005 in Committee Room 2/3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

The Council Secretary and Solicitor submitted the draft Project Plan, drafted in consultation with the Chairman and Conservative Spokesperson, Councillor Greenall. She advised that the Commercial Safety Manager, Community Services was keen that the 'Healthy Eating Initiatives' should be included in the review and that he would welcome the opportunity to be involved in the work of the Committee and report on how the West Lancashire District Council Health Promotion Team and the 'Healthy Eating Initiatives' can contribute to the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme.

The Leisure Development Manager gave a presentation (Appendix 6) on the Physical Activity Strategy for West Lancashire District Council highlighting what was available for young people in the area.

Members raised questions and comments in respect of the following:

• The Children’s Fund and other sources of funding. • SLAP – Prices • Play spaces • Chapel Gallery • Coaching • Councillor involvement in projects • Concern regarding services being focused in the Skelmersdale area and the lack of facilities in the rural parishes and Ormskirk.

Meeting held on 9 March 2005 in Committee Room 2/3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

Davina Parr and Amanda Gordon of the West Lancashire Primary Care Trust gave a presentation (appendix 8) on the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme and in doing so drew attention to the following issues:

• The guideline definition of obesity used in connection with action to combat the problem; • The increasing problem of obesity in young children, exemplified by the fact that 6% of 6 year olds are classed as obese; • Steps being taken to tackle the problem at national level, including the Children Bill 2004, the National Healthy Schools Standard and the Public Health White Paper published in November 2004; • Steps being taken at local level, including: • The Regional Food and Health Task Group • The Sports Development Service Action Plan • The Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme • The Health Improvement Local Implementation Team (HILITE) • In relation to the White Paper, the intention by mid-2005 to devise a simple code indicating the sugar, fat and salt content in processed food (the traffic light system) and the intention to make healthy food in schools mandatory, with pupils being offered the chance to learn about diet, nutrition, food safety and food preparation and cooking; • The operation of the HILITE team, including its main policies and strategies; • The main principles of the National Healthy Schools standard; • Progress made by local schools towards attaining accreditation under the National healthy Schools standard, including examples of how several schools had approached the issue.

The Committee then received a presentation (appendix 9) from the Council’s Commercial Safety Manager, who outlined the aims of the Health Promotion Service and went on to give general information on the initiatives undertaken and supported by the Service, including: • partnership working with the Primary Care Trust and Lancashire County Council; • presentations given to schools on range of issues such as “the Veggie Gang”, handwashing workshops; • programmed food safety inspections of school kitchens.

Upon conclusion of the presentations officers and colleagues responded to questions and comments put by members. It was noted that issues raised in relation to the school meals service would be dealt with by inviting a Lancashire County Council representative to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered the notes of the meeting of the Health Improvement Implementation Team held on 25 February 2005.

Consideration was given to the report of the County Council’s School Travel Adviser (appendix 10). In this respect, members noted the DfES target that every school should have a School Travel Plan by the year 2010 and the following areas of activity towards attaining this target:

• availability of grants provided by the County Council to enable schools to release resources for the development of their plan; • employment of advisers to encourage and support schools to develop their plans; • availability of DfES grant funding for schools to enable them to implement measures outlined in their Travel Plans; • availability of County Council funds to enable the development of Safer Routes to Schools.

Members also noted information in the report in relation to the progress made by schools in the District, including details of positive improvements at several schools.

Consideration was given to the revised Project Plan circulated by the Council Secretary & Solicitor, which had been updated to take account of progress since it was originally agreed by the Committee.

Members went on to consider which schools they should visit to develop further their understanding of the issues involved in the promotion of Healthy schools in the District and in this respect agreed to visit Ormskirk School, Glenburn Sports College, Skelmersdale, Ormskirk C E Primary and Delphside Primary School, Skelmersdale. The Council Secretary & Solicitor undertook to make the appropriate arrangements for these visits and to ensure that invitations were forwarded to those members of the Council who are governors at the schools involved. Additionally, the Committee accepted the offer made by Davina Parr for her to advise the Council Secretary & Solicitor of the most appropriate local authority to visit where that authority had made significant progress in assisting schools to implement the Healthy Schools Programme.

Meeting held on 7 April 2005 in Committee Room 2/3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

Lesley Wilkinson, Senior Operations Manager – Menus and Nutrition, Catering Division, Lancashire County Council gave a presentation on the school meals services to primary schools in Lancashire .

She circulated copies of the new menus that would be available from 18 April 2005 and reported that they contained more healthy options to attempt to provide a more balanced diet. She explained how the menus contained choices of main course and desserts and had been analysed for nutrition and peanut allergy.

The discussion highlighted the following issues:-

• Food cooked on site or brought into schools • Contents and storage of packed lunches • Vending machines within schools • Provision of water for pupils • School budgets • Cultural/vegetarian dietary requirements • Locally purchased products • Information flow to parents • Ways of persuading children to try different foods

It was noted that the discussion had focussed on primary schools only and it was proposed that a representative from Lancashire County Council be invited to attend a meeting of the Committee to discuss Secondary School Meals.

Consideration was also given to the report of the Executive Manager Community Services (appendix 11) which outlined ways in which the Council could support local schools to achieve the healthy schools standard in respect of physical activity and healthy eating.

Members raised questions in respect of:

• Aqua fun • Community sports initiative • Cooking skills • Hand washing workshops

The Committee resolved that the following proposals and Action Plans be revised when the review had been completed and be finalised as part of the Committee’s final report:

• That the proposals identified in Section 5 of the report be agreed in principle, and the Action Plans appended to the report be adopted in principle. • That Edge Hill College and other local colleges be approached with a view to encouraging the involvement of local students as volunteers in appropriate community sports initiatives as a curriculum requirement.

Meeting held on 12 July 2005 in Council Chamber, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

The Committee received and considered the notes of the Health Improvement Local Implementation Team held on 15 April and 8 June 2005 which were noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the County Council’s School Travel Adviser and the Committee was informed that this person was no longer employed in this post.

Comments were raised in respect of:-

• Funding available to provide School Travel Plan Schemes. • That Members should pursue schools to urge them to produce a School Travel Plan.

The Committee agreed that Amy Carter, the newly appointed School Travel Plan Adviser, Lancashire County Council be requested to submit a report and attend the next meeting of the Committee, with details showing two examples of Best Practise within a Primary and Secondary School Travel Plan in the West Lancashire District and that the following recommendation be included in the Committee’s final report:-“That schools in West Lancashire be urged to produce School Travel Plans in view of the level of funding available”.

The Committee further agreed that the External Funding Manager be requested to submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee with details of potential funding opportunities to take forward the Lancashire Healthy Schools Review

Site Visit to Ormskirk School on 13 July 2005

Members were welcomed by Mike Brown, Deputy Head Teacher, Brenda Caslake and Janice Sheel, Healthy Schools Key Teachers, Ormskirk School.

The Healthy Schools Key Teachers advised Members that::

• The kitchen facilities available for preparing healthy options were limited due to the layout being designed as a fast food restaurant and fitted with deep fat fryers. • Difficulties could be experienced by teachers when talking to a classroom full of children about topics such as obesity when there could be affected children in the class. • Additional work was being undertaken by the school to work towards the Drugs, Education and Sexual Health Standards within the Healthy Schools Programme. • The school was enthusiastic about taking forward the Healthy Schools Programme. • The School’s Council had raised the issue of healthy eating on its agendas. • Part of the PSE curriculum was to look at exercise and diet. • School meals were managed in-house, rather than by Lancashire County Council and that the catering staff set the menus. • The only vending machine on site was a fair trade machine in 6th Form and that the 6th Form were now pursuing a fair trade coffee bar for their use. • All pupils could bring water bottles into school and water fountains were available in the corridors.

The Healthy Schools Co-ordinator informed the Committee of:

• The excellent work being undertaken by Primary schools in promoting healthy eating. • The training sessions that were being organised by Ormskirk C E Primary School for catering staff – the school felt that this type of training was important. • ‘Every Child Matters’ and the work being undertaken with ‘food in school’ and the self-evaluation kit. • The practical help and support available through the Health Promotion Team, West Lancashire District Council and the PCT.

The Healthy Schools Co-ordinator also enquired about:

• The feasibility of establishing a Healthy Schools Task Group with children, teachers and canteen staff. • The feasibility of launching ‘Healthy Schools’ at the school in September 2005. • The need for designated teachers to facilitate the programme.

The school agreed that this was a way forward in the development of the programme and thanked the District Council in arranging the meeting as it had given the school a ‘kick start’ into the process as teachers already had such a heavy workload.

Members of the Committee were given a tour of the school by Jenny and Gary, two pupils at the school. The Committee commented on the very impressive facilities available in the new school and the behaviour of the pupils in moving about the school.

Members of the Committee were then shown into the dining hall to participate in the school lunch.

The following comments were raised:

• Healthy options were limited. • The layout of the canteen, particularly the serving area and at the payment point, was poor. • Lots of fatty foods as the 1st option when arriving at the counter – sausage, chips etc. • Lots of expensive full sugar bottled and canned drinks and a limited amount of reduced sugar drinks. • Stuffy, hot atmosphere which smelt of chip fat. • It was difficult to see if there were any vegetables available. • The choices of sandwiches were poor. • Several children were eating chips and gravy.

The Committee also spoke to a number of pupils and staff in the dining hall who raised the following comments:

• The kitchen was designed as a fast food restaurant with lots of deep fat fryers, which restricted the types of food that could be prepared. • The cheapest foods available were the unhealthy options, which meant that pupils would purchase chips and gravy to cut down on cost. It would be better if the healthier foods could be less expensive and the chips and gravy could be more expensive.

After lunch Members of the Committee were given a tour of the excellent sports facilities and noted the very impressive provision of a bike shed on site.

The Committee concluded:

• That the facilities at the school, to promote physical activity, were excellent. • That the layout of the kitchens at the school hindered the canteen staff in promoting healthy eating although it was felt that more could be done in this area and it was noted that the school and school’s Council were addressing this. • That the idea from some of the pupils to make the more expensive food the less healthy options was a positive suggestion. • That links had now been established between the school, the PCT and West Lancashire District Council and the school are encouraged to take the Healthy Schools initiative forward in the Autumn. • That the provision of jugs of water could be made freely available with meals. • That the school should be written to thanking them for allowing us to visit the site and sample the school lunch and a donation be sent to cover the cost of the food provided.

Site Visit to Ormskirk C E Primary School on 18 July 2005

Members were welcomed by Mr John Rowlands, Head Teacher and Mrs Barbara Howard, Healthy Schools Key Teacher, Ormskirk C E Primary School.

Members were advised:

• That there was a lot of physical activity going on at the school. There was an on- site swimming pool, football, netball, 15 sports based clubs and the school had also established close connections with the local Rugby Club • That there were some difficulties in the summer term for providing opportunities for pupils to play cricket, as existing facilities were inadequate. • That sports facilities were available to use at Ormskirk School although there were problems associated with moving children to different sites such as, time taken to transport children and the requirement for pupil/teacher ratios. • That there were lots of children at the school that visit Edge Hill to use the sports facilities particularly at the weekends. • That a number of sports coaches had attended the school to coach children in a number of sporting activities such as fencing, tennis and football. • That the school organises physical activity trips away, one of which is the trip to Windermere facilitated by the YMCA. The children take part in a number of activities such as building rafts, orienteering, rock climbing, fell walking, rope swinging and many more. • That in order to encourage pupils to take part in community-based activities, the school had provided a display in the main entrance where photographs and information could be displayed to show the various activities the children were participating in. • That the curriculum had been designed so that pupils take part in two games lessons and one swimming lesson and in addition pupils attend any additional clubs that they are part of. • That the school compete with other West Lancashire District Schools in many sporting events. • That the school have participated in the hand washing workshop organised by West Lancashire District Council’s Health Promotion Team. • That the children have milk and fruit in the morning and the school take part in the fruit scheme. • That snacks at break time have changed and now consist of toast and fruit. • That the school’s council had made the decision to ban biscuits, sweets and crisps during break times to reduce litter in the play ground. • That the school have little control over children’s lunch boxes and that 40% of children have packed lunches, which can be unhealthy. • That the school have found that combining children who stay for school dinner with children who have packed lunch has worked well and has also increased the numbers of those children having a school dinner. • That the cost of a school meal is £1.60. • That the number of children attending for school lunch varies from day to day as children can attend on any day they wish. • That the school manages all budgets in relation to school meals. • That a contractor delivers the food. • That it is the school’s policy that no children go home for dinner and they are all encouraged to stay on school grounds for the whole day. • That the school has its own dining room.

Members of the Committee were then shown into the dining hall to participate in the school lunch.

The following comments were raised:

• That a number of healthy lunches were available and that fruit was served with each of the puddings. • That all of the drinks available were low sugar drinks – fruit juice, water, milk. • That all of the food was prepared on site and that it was one of the few schools providing hot meals. • That the dining area was a nice bright atmosphere with plenty of counters and was easy to access. • That children were welcomed to the counters by staff and were offered and encouraged by the catering staff to have a choice of either vegetables or salad. • That there were no chips on offer with healthy options being made available i.e. rice, baked potato and pasta. • That there were plenty of choices in relation to sandwiches and salads. • That children having packed lunch and school dinner were seated together. • That supermarket trends and promotions often affected the number of children staying for packed lunch. • That a list of all left over food is taken each day so that if children say that there was nothing left that they liked parents could be informed of the left over options.

After lunch Members of the Committee were shown to the very impressive on site swimming pool.

The Committee concluded:

• That the facilities at the school, to promote physical activity, were excellent. • That the school meal service at the school was excellent and promoted healthy eating. • That the school seemed to be working very hard to promote healthy eating and physical activity they were just finding it difficult to find the time to apply for the accreditation for the Healthy Schools Standards. • That a letter of thanks be sent to the school thanking them for allowing us to visit the site and sample the school lunch and a donation be sent to cover the cost of the food provided.

Site Visit to Delphside Primary School, Skelmersdale - 18 October 2005

Members of the Committee were met by Mrs Kewley, Head Teacher and Rona Baron, Healthy Schools Key Teacher.

Members of the Committee were shown to the dining hall to participate in the school lunch.

Comments were raised in respect of the following:

• That there was a selection of healthy food options. • That the children were very aware of the food they were eating and they were very health conscious. The children spoke freely about what food was particularly good for them. • That the drinks provided were all low sugar options. • That some children had brought to school packed lunches which were not very healthy, even though they were encouraged to bring healthy options.

The children advised that they had noticed a real change in the menus and were very pleased with the healthier food being prepared for them.

A Member of the school catering staff addressed Members to provide details of the revised menus.

The Head Teacher Mrs Kewley advised Members of the following activities that had been organised or have been made available to children at the school in relation to physical activity:

• Freddy Fit. • Judo. • Sports after school clubs eg. Football and netball. • Physical Education as part of the school curriculum.

She informed the Committee that Wigan Athletic Football Club had also attended the school to undertake some football coaching and that Glenburn Sports College’s Multi Sports Club as available for use by the school.

Members were advised that Delphside had received accreditation for obtaining the Physical Activity Standard of the Healthy Schools Programme.

The Head Teacher Mrs Kewley advised Members of the following activities that have been organised or have been made available to children at the school in relation to healthy eating:

• Demonstrations on a healthy packed lunch. • Fruit Tasting sessions with ASDA. • In class activities. • A show provided by ‘Class Act’ promoting healthy eating.

She further advised that the children’s tuck shop had now been changed to a healthy eating tuck shop.

Members were advised that Delphside had received accreditation for obtaining the Healthy Eating Standard of the Healthy Schools Programme.

Members concluded:

• That the school meal service at the school was very good and promoted healthy eating. • That the school seemed to be working very hard to promote healthy eating and physical activity and had received accreditation for these particular Healthy Schools Standards. • That the children were very happy with the new healthier eating menus and they were very knowledgeable about the kind of food they were eating but that the issue of lunch boxes needed to be continually addressed. • That a letter of thanks be sent to the school thanking them for allowing us to visit the site and sample the school lunch and a donation be sent to cover the cost of the food provided.

Site Visit to Delphside Primary School, Skelmersdale - 3 November 2005

The Committee were introduced to Yvonne Gagen, Sports Development Officer, Wayne Bretherton and Dave Hall, Aqua Fun who advised:

• That Lancashire County Council had appointed a Sports Co-ordinator for the district who was based in Glenburn Sports College. • That when free session are provided for children at the sports centre, parents have to pay the spectators fee to watch. • That Birch Green, Digmoor, Moorside and Tanhouse Wards in Skelmersdale attracted funding through the Children’s Fund. • That in March 2006 that funding for Aqua Fun provided through the Children’s Fund would finish. • That sessions were run on 6 weekly blocks to give children a taste of other sports available and to make links with local sports clubs which can be expensive. • That there was a general lack of resources as from March 2006 there would only be provision for 1 full time and 1 part-time Sports Development Officer, funding would no longer be available for the Aqua Fun officers. • That there were opportunities to obtain matched funding which was the situation with the governing body for rugby who gave some money to provide sessions on tag rugby. • That in order to encourage volunteers to carry out initiatives the Millennium Volunteer Scheme had been created and negotiations were on going with Edge Hill to ensure that students undertaking the Sports Science Degree could obtain some practical experience.

The Committee noted the comments and asked the Sports Development Officer to e- mail a ‘wish list’ to Member Services to be included in these meeting notes. The following was received:

“My realistic wish list is 3 full time Sports Development officers that would have the following titles Disability Officer, Rural Sports Development Officer and a Community Street Crime Officer covering all of West Lancashire also 2 part time 18hr Community Coaching Staff that would have direct links with clubs, education, healthy schools and work around the coaching schemes being developed for the Olympics also suitable accommodation that could house all of my staff with adequate work stations but I would be extremely very grateful for anything that could main stream some of the good we are doing in the community and thank you for giving me an opportunity to express these humble wishes thanks a lot it means so much”

Site Visit to St Helens Council on 3 November 2005

The Committee were invited to join the St Helens School Food and Nutrition Toolkit Training, a multi-agency programme being delivered to local schools, in order to observe a snapshot of the presentation on the Healthy Schools Food and Nutrition Standard.

The presentation provided by Eric Albrecht, Principal Officer for Healthy Schools and Claire Glover – Health Improvement Specialist (Food & Nutrition) St Helens Borough Council. The presentation identified the new criteria for meeting the Healthy Schools Food and Nutrition Standard and OFSTED requirements, the Council’s policy and the toolkit provided in order to adopt a whole school approach. Some of the initiatives undertaken included:

• Cashless systems. • Chipless days • Healthy vending machines. • Healthy school meals week – sampling healthy dishes. • Purchase of Nutmeg software to analyse menus. • Installation of a salad bar. • Provision of water on tables • Linking into the Merseyside Food Charter awards. • Obtaining feedback from pupils. • Providing staff training.

A representative from Haydock Sports College in St Helens provided details of some of the initiatives being undertaken at the school to promote the Healthy Schools Programme:

• The healthy high school competition. • Provision of water dispensers. • Participation in the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts) • Cycling to success initiative. • The use of swipe cards – awarding points for healthier food choices and rewarding pupils for obtaining a high level of points. • Providing water bottles with the pupils name and school logo printed on. • Lads and Dads Cooking Club. • Community Cooking Club. • The use of the school magazine and website for promoting healthy schools. • Junior Chef competition.

Amanda Gordon, West Lancashire PCT advised the Committee:

• that she would be providing an update at the meeting scheduled for 8 November and the national healthy schools standard. • that an update on the work being undertaken at Ormskirk School following the visit of the Committee on 13 July 2005 in relation to Healthy Eating would be provided at the meeting on 8 November. • that a West Lancashire Tool Kit was in use for schools to improve on the relevant healthy schools standards. • That 3 training sessions had been held with regard to the new standard with local schools in Lancashire which were very well attended.

Members raised the following comments:

• That there was insufficient funding being provided by the government for the implementation of the new programme, particularly when looking at Lancashire and the number of schools in the County. • That there was a lot of pressure on teachers to implement the programme, which could be taking them away from actual teaching.

The Committee then retired to the Board Room to meet with Councillor Cllr Terry Shields, Portfolio Lead for Children and Young Peoples Service, Nora Giubertoni the Chairman of St Helens PCT, Councillor Evans, Chairman of St Helens Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee and Eric Albrecht, Principal Officer for Healthy Schools in St Helens Council. Comments were raised in respect of the following:

• That schools in St Helens were being asked to use the self evaluation tool kit in order to provide evidence for obtaining accreditation for healthy school standards. • That in order to obtain accreditation a whole school policy needed to be adopted. • That St Helens Governors Forum and the LEA Governors Forum had been provided with information on the healthy school standards. • That the programme should be built into the current curriculum. • That funding had been provided by St Helens to support its local schools where as Lancashire schools did not receive any direct funding for the programme. • Packed lunches were a problem, not only on the content but also the fact that the schools didn’t have any facility to store them in suitable food temperatures.

Meeting held on 8 November 2005 in Committee Room 2/3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

Consideration was given to the report of the County Council’s School Travel Plan Advisor.

Mr Hancock introduced himself as newly appointed School Travel Plan Advisor for West Lancashire, Chorley and Rossendale. He presented the Committee with background information on School Travel Plans, which covered :-

• The DfES target for every school to have a School Travel Plan in place by 2010 • The aims of a School Travel Plan which were to encourage more sustainable forms of transport e.g.walking, cycling, public transport to journey to/from school • The involvement of the whole school community in producing the School Travel Plan document. • How a School Travel Plan can help towards a schools accreditation for Healthy Schools Status • LCC Travel Plan Development Grants available to schools that develop a Travel Plan, and also , that when a school has produced a plan acceptable to the DfES, a further grant is payable from the DfES • That Lancashire County Council have a team of travel plan advisors to encourage and support schools in their creation of a Travel Plan • That there are 21 schools in the current programme of work for West Lancashire • Examples of Best Practice School Travel Plans within a Primary and Secondary School in West Lancashire

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

• Cycling • Traffic Congestion around Moorside School, Skelmersdale and Ormskirk School. • The volume of traffic in the Ormskirk area. • The feasibility of staggering school start and finishing times in Ormskirk. • Safety barriers.

The Committee noted the content of the report thanked Rob Hancock for his attendance.

The Committee then agreed that the following recommendations be included in the Committee’s final report:

• “That Councillors who are school governors be asked to look at their School’s Travel Plan and encourage its development. • That schools be asked to consider staggering school opening and closign times for different year groups to reduce the numbers of pupils leaving and entering to increase their safety. • That the provision of additional safety barriers, particularly at Ormskrik school, given the numbers of pupils and narrowness of pavements be considered by the County Council.”

Nigel Finnamore and Nicola Hanmer, Lancashire County Council Commercial Services gave a presentation on the school meals service to secondary schools in Lancashire.

They circulated copies of a Report on Quality of Food in Schools and Child Obesity, and also copies of a consultation document, Turning the Tables – Transforming School Food. The following were highlighted:-

• The challenge in providing meals that both the parents and the school accept and that children will eat. • The Market research undertaken into school catering. • The introduction of ‘Café Express’ brand in high schools • Projects introduced to improve ambience in dining rooms. • The introduction of ‘cashless’ cafeteria systems, taking away the stigma of free school meals • Growing social and political interest at national and local level in school meals, healthy eating, childhood obesity and general health issues. • Use of low fat and low sodium recipes. • Lower priced healthier options. • Food quality and menu planning. • Vegetarian and global options used after feedback from children. • The need for Packed lunches to be addressed. • The 50% target for the use of locally produced food. • New standards to be phased in to start September 2006 and must be fully achieved by September 2009. • Partnership approach – including pupil participation • That processed foods such as crisps, chocolate and high sugar drinks to be banned in all areas of school. • The priority to train school catering staff. • The need for a whole school approach • That all secondary schools in West Lancashire are self managed.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

• Refigeration facilities for packed lunches. • The governments target of all children should receive a school meal by 2008.

The Committee noted the content of the presentation and thanked Nigel Finnamore and Nicola Hanmer for their informative presentation.

Davina Parr and Amanda Gordon, West Lancashire Primary Care Trust gave a presentation (appendix 12) and an updated report on the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme which demonstrates what has been achieved locallly, regionally and nationally since their first presentation given on 21 October 2004 and the way forward.

The presentation summarised the progress against the six recommendations which were put forward a year ago.

1. Feedback from Young People – What do they want?

• Feedback received via the West Lancashire Young People Questionnaire identifying what they would like. • The governments Green Paper “Youth Matters” sets out the Government’s new strategy for providing oppurtunity, challenge and support for teenagers. • The Development of the School Sports Partnership to find out specific needs of the individual schools and develop a programme of support.

2. Raise the profile of the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme with key partners – network events, training events.

• Local Network Meetings • Healthy Eating Cluster Group • Primary SF&VS Resource Launch • PCT Health Fair/PCT Annual Report • Jamie Oliver • HILITE – Health Improvement Local Implementation Team • Moving on with Healthy Schools Conference – Every Child Matters (inc. Food in Schools Training) • Training for School Nurses/School Nurse Team Meetings • Connexions • School Partnership • School Visits – in particular the visit to Ormskirk school by the Committee was a catalyst for positive outcome and who have also now signed up to a healthy schools action plan. • School travel plans

3. Link into the Sports Development Service Action Plan

• Links made to the Sports Development Action Plan • Links made with the work programme of the Health Promotion Team (Community Services) with shared objectives identified.

4. A Physical Activity Strategy Steering Group to take forward the actions in school settings.

• A new group called Physical Activity Action Group (PAAG) established (part of HILITE) • Actions in early years, school and college settings identified and included within the PAAG action plan. • Possibility of the PAAG becoming constituted a a “Sport and Pysical Activity Alliance” with funding allocated to deliver the action plan. • Diet and Obesity Action Group (DOAG) also established with input from partner agencies. • “Healthy Schools Task Groups” • Green Paper “Youth matters” • Every Primary, Secondary and Special School form part of the School Sports Partnership • Schools encouraged to set up a Schools Sports Council • 75% of all 5 – 16 year olds to take part in a minimum of 2 hours high quality PE and school sport each week within and beyond the curriculum by 2006 (85% by 2008).

5. Incentives for schools to take part in the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme, Physical Activity Standard.

• From September 2005 a new National Healthy Schools Status was launched; PSHE, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Emotional Health and Well-Being criteria. • By 2009, The Government aims to support all schools to be working towards achieving being “Healthy Schools” and it would like to see half of all schools become “Healthy Schools” by 2006. • Schools will be supported to evidence the five national outcomes of Every Child Matters under the new OFSTED framework. • Ruth Kelly announced that from September 2006 school meals should meet nutritional guidelines

6. More school travel plans (Community Strategy)

• School Travel Plan incentives in place.

The presentation concluded that:

• A lot of positive activity had happened in the last year. • Excellent partnership working between the Primary Care Trust, the District Council and local partners has forged strong multi agency groups with clear integrated action plans to promote health in school settings providing potential to attract external funding. • There is a strong commitment now from schools in West Lancashire to join in to the new system of Healthy Schools accreditation. • The future looks positive.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Amanda Gordon and Davina Parr thanked the Committee for their strong commitment and support.

The Committee noted the content of the presentation and thanked Amanda Gordon and Davina Parr for their attendance and invited them to the Council meeting in March 2006 when the final report is considered.

The Committee then received and considered the notes of the Health Improvement Local Implementation Team held on 13 September 2005 which were noted.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Manager, Regeneration and Property as circulated and received a presentation from the External Funding Manager who advised Members of the potential external funding opportunities in relation to the current review being undertaken by the Committee, in respect of the healthy eating and physical activity initiatives in schools.

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Manager, Regeneration and Property (appendix 13) and thanked the External Funding Manager for his presentation.

The Committee received and considered the notes of the following site visits:

(a) Ormskirk School – 13 July 2005 (b) Ormskirk C E School – 18 July 2005 (c) Delphside Community Primary School 18 October 2005 and 3 November 2005 (d) St Helens Borough Council – 3 November 2005

The Committee noted the notes of the site visits and that the site visit to Glenburn Sports College was still to be arranged.

The revised Project Plan, which had been updated to take account of progress since it was originally agreed by the Committee was endorsed and further updated to reflect the discussions undertaken at this meeting.

Site Visit to Glenburn Sports College, Skelmersdale on 17 November 2005.

Members were welcomed by Mr Flood, Head Teacher, Shelly Oliver, Assistant Head Teacher, Sue Hunter, Healthy Schools Key Teacher, Glenburn Sports College and Mark Forster, Sport Co-ordinator, Lancashire County Council.

Members was advised in respect of Physical Activity: a) That the following sports and activities were available to pupils: football, cricket, hockey, rugby league, dance, gymnastics, outdoor athletics, badminton, Sports Leadership awards, boxing, trampoline, Duke of Edinburgh awards, theatre b) That the school had excellent links with Edge Hill who were going to provide some coaching time, the school also had links with Liverpool John Moores University. c) That Mark Forster had been newly appointed as the Sport Co-ordinator for West Lancashire and was based at Glenburn. d) That transport was an issue when pupils are wishing to use the facilities at Edge Hill and facilities at the High Schools in Ormskirk for example the school hasn’t got an astro turf.

The Committee was advised in respect of Healthy Eating:

a) That all pupils are kept on site. b) That Wednesday was a non-chip day, although the school had changed days due to the visit from the Committee. c) Menus were provided on the wall outside the canteen. d) The schools Forum had been discussing healthy eating at their meetings. e) Water was freely available in the dining area for use by pupils. f) Pupils did undertake lessons on Food Technology. g) The catering staff supported the healthy schools initiative. h) Healthy eating days have been adopted. i) Catering staff have been trained to NVQ level. j) That the dining area was a little drab although art pupils had provided some work for the walls. k) Vending machines had been taken out. l) Information was also being given to children in school assembly’s.

Members of the Committee were then shown into the dining hall to participate in the school lunch.

The following comments were raised: a) That there was lots of choice, maybe too much. b) On the menus as the entrance, symbols were given to show which meals were the healthy options. c) Water was freely available.

The Committee was shown around the school to view the following excellent sports facilities at the school: a) The dance studio. b) The well equipped gym. c) PE class room and PE computer room. d) Orienteering course. e) Football and Basketball pitches. f) Climbing wall. g) Huge playing fields. h) Tennis courts. i) The theatre.

The Committee agreed: a) That senior management at the school supported the Healthy Schools Initiative. b) That the school had excellent facilities for sport and physical activity, but Members acknowledged the lack of some facilities which were only available in Ormskirk and the issues around the lack of transportation. c) That the school were committed to achieving accreditation in the Healthy Eating standards.

Items circulated for information:

• The Physical Activity Strategy for West Lancashire 2004 (Appendix 7) • Sports Development Service Action Plan • National Healthy School Standard and Local Strategic Partnerships: Working Together • Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme – Lancashire County Council & NHS – Summer 2004 Volume 12 • National Healthy School Standard Getting Started – A guide for schools (Appendix 5) • Travelling to School: a good practice guide – Department for Education and Skills and Department for Transport • Quality of Food in Schools • Child Obesity • Consultation Document – Turning the Tables – Transforming School Food

OFFICER SUPPORT

Lead Officer: Gill Rowe, Council Secretary and Solicitor. Member Services Officer: Jacky Denning, Assistant Member Services Manager. Dave Tilleray, Executive Manager Community Services. Pete Cooley, Leisure Development Manager. Mike Tasker, Commercial Safety Manager, Community Services. Steve Bretherton, External Funding Manager, Regeneration and Property.

SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS/COMMUNITY STRATEGY

The purpose of the initiative, and the Council’s support to the initiative, is aimed at improving wellbeing, Community involvement and improving the health of local communities, which will assist in developing future sustainability, and is in accordance with Community Strategy aims.

FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

There may be some financial and resource implications arising from the recommendations in the report if these are acted upon by the bodies referred to.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The report and the recommendations proposed do not cause any risk to the business of the Council and contribute to the Community Strategy.

Background Documents

There are no background documents (as defined in Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) to this report.

Appendices

(1) Physical Activity Action Plan (2) Healthy Eating Action Plan (3) Project Plan (4) Presentation slides – 21 October 2004 - Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme (Physical Activity) – PCT (5) National Healthy School Standard Getting Started – A Guide for Schools (6) Presentation slides – 19 January 2005 - Children’s Leisure Services provided by West Lancashire District Council (7) Physical Activity Strategy for 2004 the West Lancashire Community (8) Presentation Slides – 9 March 2005 – Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme (Healthy Eating) - PCT (9) Presentation Slides – 9 March 2005 - Healthy Eating – Health Promotion Service (0) Report of Martin Sephton, School Travel Plan Adviser, Lancashire County Council – School Travel Plans. (11) Report of the Executive Manager Community Services – 7 April 2005 - Support to the National Healthy Schools Standard. (12) Presentation Slides – 8 November 2005 – Updated report on the Lancashire Healthy Schools Programme - PCT (13) Report of the Executive Manager Regeneration and Property – 8 November 2005 – External Funding Opportunities.