Doncaster Metripolitan Council
Councillors:
56
Wards:
22
Committees:
25
Meetings (2025):
88
Meetings (2024):
113
Meeting
Health and Wellbeing Board - Doncaster
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 16th January 2025
9:00 AM
Thursday, 16th January 2025
9:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 16th January 2025
1:00 PM
Thursday, 16th January 2025
1:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Thursday, 16th January 2025
12:00 AM
Thursday, 16th January 2025
12:00 AM
Finished:
Thursday, 16th January 2025
12:00 AM
Thursday, 16th January 2025
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
16 Jan 2025
16 Jan 2025
Location:
Council Chamber, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
Council Chamber, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
Meeting Attendees
Co-Optee
Dr Nabeel Alsindi
GP and Place Medical Director, NHS South Yorkshire ICB
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Chief Operating Officer, Healthwatch Doncaster
Fran Joel
Healthwatch Doncaster
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Chief Executive of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Richard Parker
Chief Executive of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Apologies
Officer
PA to Chief Executive
Pamela John-Lewis
Expected
Co-Optee
Executive Director of Children, Young People and Families (DCS)
Riana Nelson
Executive Director of Children, Young People & Families (DCS), Doncaster Council
Apologies
Co-Optee
Lucy Robertshaw
Health and Social Care Forum
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Executive Director of Place
Dan Swaine
Executive Director of Place
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Chief Executive of RDaSH
Toby Lewis
RDaSH
Absent
Co-Optee
Chief Executive
Laura Sherburn
Primary Care, Doncaster
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
James Woods
Citizens Advice Doncaster
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Group Manager
Nick Abbott
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
Absent
Co-Optee
Peter Thorp
South Yorkshire Police
Absent
Co-Optee
Toni Illman
Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Director of Public Health
Rachael Leslie
Director of Public Health, City of Doncaster Council
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Chris Margrave
Chief Executive, St Leger Homes of Doncaster
Present, as expected
Chair
Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Culture
Councillor Nigel Ball
Present, as expected
Vice-Chair
Executive Place Director - Doncaster
Anthony Fitzgerald
NHS South Yorkshire ICB
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Early Help, Young People and Children's Social Care
Councillor Lani-Mae Ball
Absent
Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care
Councillor Sarah Smith
Present, as expected
Co-Optee
Executive Director of Adults, Wellbeing and Culture
Phil Holmes
Executive Director of Adults, Wellbeing & Culture (DASS), Doncaster Council
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Welcome, introductions and apologies for absence
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Richard Parker Chief Executive of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Toby Lewis Chief Executive of RDaSH, Councillor Cynthia Ransome and Riana Nelson, Executive Director Children Young People and Families.
2
Chair's Announcements.
Minutes
There were no Chair’s announcements.
3
To consider the extent, if any, to which the public and press are to be excluded from the meeting.
Minutes
There were no items where the press and public were to be excluded from the meeting.
4
Public questions.
(A period not exceeding 15 minutes for questions from members of the public.)
Minutes
Mr Brown a Doncaster resident explained that he was born and bred in Doncaster, was the son of a Miner, born in poverty in Scawthorpe. He explained they had raised his children to the best of their ability whilst managing the racism in Doncaster. He referred to the Professor Gus John’s report and felt that things had not changed since the report.
He stated that not just being poor and black and raising kids where there was a lack of aspirations and hope was difficult. He stressed to the Board that many people in the room were aware of him and if they thought his comments were not true to please say so and continued to outline that he was a strong navigator of racism.
With regard to his son Mr Brown stated that when he tried to find employment with Doncaster Council they said he could not apply because he did not have any experience of working with the Council. He continued by explaining that this was an entry level job and didn’t need experience. He felt that Doncaster has a lack of opportunities with kids having to work elsewhere and that the workforce profile had a lot of minority people employed at the lower level but management had none from ethnic backgrounds. He said this was raised with Gus John and asked why nothing had changed.
Mr Brown said he was delighted that his son had overcome not being able to work at Doncaster Council but asked why do our talented youngsters not work for Doncaster Council and in Doncaster area. He explained that his son had now got a job in investment banking and questioned why Doncaster could not spot potential talent from poor backgrounds.
He stated that on the Council meeting on 19th September 2024 there was acknowledgement of systemic racism and said he was at this meeting to find out what the response was to that acknowledgement especially when Dr Victor Joseph was presenting the Action Plan for improving the Health of minority communities in Doncaster.
He explained that he was black and active and his family had contributed to the NHS for over two hundred years and he cannot be meaningfully engaged in this piece of work. He explained that he was a minority, he had looked at the action plan and it doesn’t speak to him, his family or the people he associates with and reiterated he’d never meaningfully been allowed to engage with this process and that was not right. He stated that he knows and people in this room know that racism is a public health issue and can show the evidence, and the Board know this but do nothing about it.
He stated that when the BME Health Needs Assessment started he was the one who initiated it because Doncaster Council never had one and that must be 15 years old.
He said he cares about his family and community and does not see any progress in the report for the communities that this report speaks to. He stated it was not clear to him what opportunity there has been to engage with the report. He continued to say that he had been systematically excluded possibly because he articulated his concerns and feels that could be the only reason.
He stated that he used to share a room with Dr Victor Joseph at the Barnsley PCT and he had a little bit of background from working in the NHS outside Doncaster and wished to make a stand and say that he didn’t think the report set out in the agenda was ok and wished for clarity in terms of what progress had been made from when the action plan started to the current date.
In relation to the composition of minority groups in Doncaster he stressed it was not clear to him what all the different needs were but from a Black African Caribbean perspective he wished for clarity and understanding of what the key health needs were and how they can work with partners on this Board to improve their health and wellbeing. He continued that as they know, racism in Doncaster was acknowledged by not only by Gus John but on 19th September 2024 and questioned what practical actions there were through the report with the agenda, the Council and partners and asked what they were doing to address this and not be fobbed off because of the colour of his skin and stated this was not right.
The Chair thanked Mr Brown for attending and encouraged him to stay and listen to the debate of the meeting but accepted that he would not be able to stay for the rest of the meeting to listen to debate.
The Director of Public Health provided a response to Mr Brown outlining that the main discussion relating to the process for the Action Plan for improving the health of minority communities in Doncaster would be held later in the meeting but she would try to provide an abridged version for him at this stage. She also explained about work opportunities, outlining that the Director of Public Health held a responsibility for their whole population, particularly health inclusion groups for example, people with drug and alcohol addiction, sex workers, black and minority ethnic or disability. With regard to opportunities for young people, not by invite but two of the three Public Health degree apprentices were in attendance at this meeting and that she recognised the need to build the Public Health Team and how it supported the wider Council and Team Doncaster.
With regard to the Action Plan the Director of Public Health explained that a number of people had been involved with its development. For example, Mr Brown questioned the Health Needs Assessment for minority ethnic communities, this had been refreshed through the Covid pandemic period particularly reflecting on the BME experiences, which was outlined in the report republished in 2023. The Health Needs Assessment that was undertaken reflected the national requirements and accepted methodology. It was outlined there were always some limitations in development but outlined in the document, for example, access to data. The Action Plan was co-produced and developed through the Minority Partnership Board with input from across varying Doncaster communities and Team Doncaster.
He stated that not just being poor and black and raising kids where there was a lack of aspirations and hope was difficult. He stressed to the Board that many people in the room were aware of him and if they thought his comments were not true to please say so and continued to outline that he was a strong navigator of racism.
With regard to his son Mr Brown stated that when he tried to find employment with Doncaster Council they said he could not apply because he did not have any experience of working with the Council. He continued by explaining that this was an entry level job and didn’t need experience. He felt that Doncaster has a lack of opportunities with kids having to work elsewhere and that the workforce profile had a lot of minority people employed at the lower level but management had none from ethnic backgrounds. He said this was raised with Gus John and asked why nothing had changed.
Mr Brown said he was delighted that his son had overcome not being able to work at Doncaster Council but asked why do our talented youngsters not work for Doncaster Council and in Doncaster area. He explained that his son had now got a job in investment banking and questioned why Doncaster could not spot potential talent from poor backgrounds.
He stated that on the Council meeting on 19th September 2024 there was acknowledgement of systemic racism and said he was at this meeting to find out what the response was to that acknowledgement especially when Dr Victor Joseph was presenting the Action Plan for improving the Health of minority communities in Doncaster.
He explained that he was black and active and his family had contributed to the NHS for over two hundred years and he cannot be meaningfully engaged in this piece of work. He explained that he was a minority, he had looked at the action plan and it doesn’t speak to him, his family or the people he associates with and reiterated he’d never meaningfully been allowed to engage with this process and that was not right. He stated that he knows and people in this room know that racism is a public health issue and can show the evidence, and the Board know this but do nothing about it.
He stated that when the BME Health Needs Assessment started he was the one who initiated it because Doncaster Council never had one and that must be 15 years old.
He said he cares about his family and community and does not see any progress in the report for the communities that this report speaks to. He stated it was not clear to him what opportunity there has been to engage with the report. He continued to say that he had been systematically excluded possibly because he articulated his concerns and feels that could be the only reason.
He stated that he used to share a room with Dr Victor Joseph at the Barnsley PCT and he had a little bit of background from working in the NHS outside Doncaster and wished to make a stand and say that he didn’t think the report set out in the agenda was ok and wished for clarity in terms of what progress had been made from when the action plan started to the current date.
In relation to the composition of minority groups in Doncaster he stressed it was not clear to him what all the different needs were but from a Black African Caribbean perspective he wished for clarity and understanding of what the key health needs were and how they can work with partners on this Board to improve their health and wellbeing. He continued that as they know, racism in Doncaster was acknowledged by not only by Gus John but on 19th September 2024 and questioned what practical actions there were through the report with the agenda, the Council and partners and asked what they were doing to address this and not be fobbed off because of the colour of his skin and stated this was not right.
The Chair thanked Mr Brown for attending and encouraged him to stay and listen to the debate of the meeting but accepted that he would not be able to stay for the rest of the meeting to listen to debate.
The Director of Public Health provided a response to Mr Brown outlining that the main discussion relating to the process for the Action Plan for improving the health of minority communities in Doncaster would be held later in the meeting but she would try to provide an abridged version for him at this stage. She also explained about work opportunities, outlining that the Director of Public Health held a responsibility for their whole population, particularly health inclusion groups for example, people with drug and alcohol addiction, sex workers, black and minority ethnic or disability. With regard to opportunities for young people, not by invite but two of the three Public Health degree apprentices were in attendance at this meeting and that she recognised the need to build the Public Health Team and how it supported the wider Council and Team Doncaster.
With regard to the Action Plan the Director of Public Health explained that a number of people had been involved with its development. For example, Mr Brown questioned the Health Needs Assessment for minority ethnic communities, this had been refreshed through the Covid pandemic period particularly reflecting on the BME experiences, which was outlined in the report republished in 2023. The Health Needs Assessment that was undertaken reflected the national requirements and accepted methodology. It was outlined there were always some limitations in development but outlined in the document, for example, access to data. The Action Plan was co-produced and developed through the Minority Partnership Board with input from across varying Doncaster communities and Team Doncaster.
5
Declarations of Interest, if any.
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest made.
6
Minutes of the Meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 7th November 2024
Attachments:
- Document Minutes , 07/11/2024 Health and Wellbeing Board 08 Jan 2025
Minutes
RESOLVED that: The minutes of the Health and Well-being Board held on 7th November 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
7
Create healthy places to live, grow and play
Attachments:
- Document 7. Report Cover Sheet HWB CHP 16.01.25 08 Jan 2025
- Document 7. App Create Healthy Places Recommendations 08 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Director of Public Health presented the position statement for the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Grow and Play area of focus. The areas addressed by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 7th November were highlighted, particularly the key findings and the shared views and commitments from Board Members, which were outlined at pages 7 and 8 of the report.
With regard to recommendation 4 of the area of focus, “Building on established work, integrate health into urban planning and place making, increase accessible parks and green spaces, ensure amenities are easy to access for all, and actively involve resident through initiative like the Active Transport Accessibility Panel and Green Space Network” the Chair highlighted that he wished for real commitments for the areas with high deprivation in Doncaster and not just a focus on new developments.
In response to above statement, the Director of Public Health outlined that data within the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, particularly ward profiles that described established community assets and green spaces, would be used to ensure partners’ attention was focused on communities that required additional support. It was also noted that the “Thrive” approach would be focusing on communities where assistance was required.
A Member of the Board supported the information provided and suggested that the Board meet in different Communities across Doncaster, which was supported and highlighted as part of the Board’s best practice and working development, and would be addressed later in the meeting.
RESOLVED that:
1. The position statement and the six recommendations set out at page 8 in the report, be agreed and noted;
2. The three sponsors for the area of focus, Rachael Leslie, Dan Swaine and James Woods be endorsed and agreed; and
3. Take action on the commitments where applicable and progress be reported to a future meeting.
With regard to recommendation 4 of the area of focus, “Building on established work, integrate health into urban planning and place making, increase accessible parks and green spaces, ensure amenities are easy to access for all, and actively involve resident through initiative like the Active Transport Accessibility Panel and Green Space Network” the Chair highlighted that he wished for real commitments for the areas with high deprivation in Doncaster and not just a focus on new developments.
In response to above statement, the Director of Public Health outlined that data within the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, particularly ward profiles that described established community assets and green spaces, would be used to ensure partners’ attention was focused on communities that required additional support. It was also noted that the “Thrive” approach would be focusing on communities where assistance was required.
A Member of the Board supported the information provided and suggested that the Board meet in different Communities across Doncaster, which was supported and highlighted as part of the Board’s best practice and working development, and would be addressed later in the meeting.
RESOLVED that:
1. The position statement and the six recommendations set out at page 8 in the report, be agreed and noted;
2. The three sponsors for the area of focus, Rachael Leslie, Dan Swaine and James Woods be endorsed and agreed; and
3. Take action on the commitments where applicable and progress be reported to a future meeting.
8
Report of the December Health and Well-being Board development session
Attachments:
- Document 9. Report Cover Sheet HWB Dec Dev Session 16.01.25 08 Jan 2025
- Document 9. App HWB Dec Development Session Report 03.12.24 08 Jan 2025
Minutes
A report was presented by the Director of Public Health providing an outline of the Health and Wellbeing Board’s development session held on 3rd December 2024, facilitated by Steve Bedser. The report provided feedback on the session that focused on reviewing progress, refining priorities and ensuring effective implantation of Doncaster’s Health and Well-being Strategy. Achievements and reflections of the last 18 months were summarised as was a reflection on the Board’s three key areas of focus.
It was noted that the Board was in a strong position with relationships being maintained to continue to drive work over the next 12 months.
The Chair commented that he was pleased with how the session ran and on behalf of the Health and Well-being Board formally thanked Steve Bedser for facilitating the session.
The Executive Place Director (Doncaster) NHS South Yorkshire ICB commented that he found the session to be very help and was good to see how Doncaster’s Health and Well-being Board was comparing to others and stressed that the Board must not lose focus. He highlighted that part of the session required Board Members to undertake a task, which had personally reminded him of the importance to continue to develop and finalise planned goals of the Health and Wellbeing Board and reiterated this need to the Board.
RESOLVED that:
1. The summary of the development session held on 3rd December 2024 appended to the report, be noted;
2. The comments made by Board Members at this meeting in response to the summary of the session held on 3rd December 2024, be noted; and
3. Steve Bedser be formally thanked for his reflection and support over the last 12 months, be agreed.
It was noted that the Board was in a strong position with relationships being maintained to continue to drive work over the next 12 months.
The Chair commented that he was pleased with how the session ran and on behalf of the Health and Well-being Board formally thanked Steve Bedser for facilitating the session.
The Executive Place Director (Doncaster) NHS South Yorkshire ICB commented that he found the session to be very help and was good to see how Doncaster’s Health and Well-being Board was comparing to others and stressed that the Board must not lose focus. He highlighted that part of the session required Board Members to undertake a task, which had personally reminded him of the importance to continue to develop and finalise planned goals of the Health and Wellbeing Board and reiterated this need to the Board.
RESOLVED that:
1. The summary of the development session held on 3rd December 2024 appended to the report, be noted;
2. The comments made by Board Members at this meeting in response to the summary of the session held on 3rd December 2024, be noted; and
3. Steve Bedser be formally thanked for his reflection and support over the last 12 months, be agreed.
9
Health and Well-being Board Forward Plan and preparation for Terms of Reference and Membership
Attachments:
- Document 10. Report Cover Sheet HWB Forward Plan 25-26 08 Jan 2025
- Document 10. appendix HWB Forward Plan 25-26 08 Jan 2025
Minutes
The Public Health Principal presented the Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan for 2025-26.
It was proposed that from June 2025 the Board meet in community locations linked to the three area of focus, which Board Members were supportive of. Areas where they could be held were suggested, for example, the focus on closing the gap in women’s and child health could be held in a school. It was noted that there were a lot of grass root community organisations that would support discussions in their neighbourhoods.
With regard to the attendance of Gavin Boyle on 13th March 2025, to address the linkages between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Integrated Care Partnership Strategy, it would be clarified following the meeting if he was representing the Integrated Care Partnership or Integrated Care Board.
The Chair highlighted the direction taken by Doncaster Moving and wished for something similar for the Health and Wellbeing Board, for example, providing a showcasing session to meet and greet people, rather than a static meeting.
In response to a Board Member suggesting that the Terms of Reference for the Board identify how the work would be documented and shared with communities, the Director of Public Health explained that an Annual Report had been published for many years outlining the work undertaken. However she explained she would like to investigate how such publications could be provided in more interactive formats in future rather than having many different reflective reports and publications.
Dolly Agoro, a Member of the Public outlined from her perspective that the Board was in a position to start to measure impact and focus on what has or has not worked. She stressed that all the small steps that had been taken be documented along with what the Board aimed to achieve over the coming year. This would highlight to the different communities in Doncaster the achievements already made.
RESOLVED that the Forward Plan for the Health and Wellbeing Board, be approved.
It was proposed that from June 2025 the Board meet in community locations linked to the three area of focus, which Board Members were supportive of. Areas where they could be held were suggested, for example, the focus on closing the gap in women’s and child health could be held in a school. It was noted that there were a lot of grass root community organisations that would support discussions in their neighbourhoods.
With regard to the attendance of Gavin Boyle on 13th March 2025, to address the linkages between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Integrated Care Partnership Strategy, it would be clarified following the meeting if he was representing the Integrated Care Partnership or Integrated Care Board.
The Chair highlighted the direction taken by Doncaster Moving and wished for something similar for the Health and Wellbeing Board, for example, providing a showcasing session to meet and greet people, rather than a static meeting.
In response to a Board Member suggesting that the Terms of Reference for the Board identify how the work would be documented and shared with communities, the Director of Public Health explained that an Annual Report had been published for many years outlining the work undertaken. However she explained she would like to investigate how such publications could be provided in more interactive formats in future rather than having many different reflective reports and publications.
Dolly Agoro, a Member of the Public outlined from her perspective that the Board was in a position to start to measure impact and focus on what has or has not worked. She stressed that all the small steps that had been taken be documented along with what the Board aimed to achieve over the coming year. This would highlight to the different communities in Doncaster the achievements already made.
RESOLVED that the Forward Plan for the Health and Wellbeing Board, be approved.
10
Action Plan for improving the health of minority communities in Doncaster
Attachments:
- Document 10. cover report Minority (VJ) 08 Jan 2025
- Document 10. appendix Action Plan for Improving the Health of Minority Communities in Doncaster 08 Jan 2025
- Document 10. appendix Presentation on Minority Health ACTION PLAN 2024 08 Jan 2025
Minutes
A presentation was provided by the Consultant in Public Health and Chair of the Minority Partnership Board to accompany the Action Plan for addressing Minority Health in Doncaster report.
The Chair highlighted that to measure progress one of the main tools would be the dashboard data and how this would be collated to identify progress made and moving forward, as was highlighted by Mr Brown in his public statement and Dolly Agoro in the comments she made in the previous item. He also stressed and welcomed the work being undertaken with translation services ensuring the maximum advice and guidance was provided across Doncaster’s communities.
The Executive Place Director (Doncaster) NHS South Yorkshire ICB welcomed the extensive piece of work and highlighted the importance of how it linked to the Health and Wellbeing Board priorities and Fairness and Wellbeing Commission. He referred to the challenge from Mr Brown in his public statement and ensuring the Action Plan was rooted in user experience. He also highlighted that access and communication needed to be appropriate when addressing measures of success.
Support for the Action Plan was also highlighted by the Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice in Doncaster, stating that advice improved lives with local projects and could provide statistical information to support this. He also explained that alongside Sheffield University the organisation had undertaken research about the barriers that minority groups faced when accessing services. He offered to share this information with the Board.
A Board Member highlighted the broad timelines for March 2026 and questioned if those areas set out in the report, were the top themes the Board sought to address. A number of Board Members questioned whether the action relating to Blue bins (to improve communication in diverse languages to residents to help them understand the bin collections system and what to put in or not), and would that improve the health of minority communities in Doncaster. It was stressed that SMART objectives were required for the issues the Board could realistically provide improvement.
The methodology undertaken to reach the action plan was addressed and noted that strangely Blue bins was an issue that people were raising and acknowledged that probably it would not solve access to or improve a person’s health. The data collated highlighted the information and languages used to get health messages out to the public, for example how to the winter wellness messages reached people. It was acknowledged that solving access could be difficult to achieve but there was a need to highlight the areas that could be, for example, “how do we know who is on a waiting list” and “what data intelligence was required to address this”. It was acknowledged there was some refining to undertake but also stressed that the Action Plan was developed across representatives from Team Doncaster with a voice and commentary from communities.
The Board continued to address the Blue bin action with a Councillor suggesting the Waste bin collection information leaflet could include key health information, because it tended to be the only piece of information circulated to all households that people retained. The Executive Director for Place explained that across all communities there was a concern about what could be put in the Blue bins and this could be magnified if English was not a persons first language. If the rules were broken this could then lead to bins being contaminated, eventually leading to a backlog of bins not being collected leaving areas unsightly and unpleasant. It was noted that this, in turn could lead to a persons health and wellbeing deteriorating. It was noted that education and engagement about lifestyles had been undertaken in Hexthorpe and had identified some positive results. It was acknowledged that fast food and ready meal packaging created much more waste and that it required disposing of in the correct receptacle.
The Consultant in Public Health clarified that with regard to the Blue bin action, it highlighted the challenges with the process. It explained that during the first consultation and when asked what the issues of concern were, people would think about issues relating to the hospital or GP services but now this issue was raised as a wider determinant of people’s health and therefore had been included in the Action Plan and open to suggestions whether it should be removed.
The Chair acknowledged that giving consideration to the wider determinants he accepted and understood why Blue bins were detailed as an action.
With regard to the names included on the Action Plan the Executive Director for Adults Wellbeing and Culture requested if the lead person who held influence over action implementation and their organisation, be included. He also stressed that it was good to see the connection of this document with other strategic pieces of work and suggested the leads for each theme meet with the Consultant in Public Heath to ensure all actions were understood and being progressed.
The Director of Public Health reminded the Board of the recommendation and suggested that the comments from the meeting be reflected upon and sought to endorse the Action Plan with caveats but not losing the voice and authenticity of the Minority Board. Board Members were happy to accept the Action Plan but further work be undertaken to address the issues raised at this meeting.
In response to a question it was confirmed that throughout the development of the Action Plan members of the community were invited and as part of its implementation would be shared with stakeholders.
Dolly Agoro, a Member of the Public referred to the Health Needs Assessment and the Minority Health Action Plan, and reiterated comments made by the Executive Director for Adults Wellbeing and Culture relating to addressing and progressing the action plan. She continued to highlight some of the struggles people faced from minority ethnic backgrounds from employment to care for the elderly. She continued to highlight how different minority communities eat different food and it was sometimes difficult for them to eat the food they were not used to, for example, when in hospital, and suggested investigations into how other local authorities address such issues.
RESOLVED that the Action Plan for improving the health of minority population in Doncaster, be endorsed subject to the caveats detailed in discussion, as follows:
· No detail be removed from the Action Plan;
· Clearer information on who was responsible for actions and when; and
· The blue bin reference be reworded to cover the more general concept with regard to health and wellbeing.
Date and time of the next meeting: Thursday 13th March 2025 at 9am in the Council Chamber, Civic Office, Doncaster.
The Chair highlighted that to measure progress one of the main tools would be the dashboard data and how this would be collated to identify progress made and moving forward, as was highlighted by Mr Brown in his public statement and Dolly Agoro in the comments she made in the previous item. He also stressed and welcomed the work being undertaken with translation services ensuring the maximum advice and guidance was provided across Doncaster’s communities.
The Executive Place Director (Doncaster) NHS South Yorkshire ICB welcomed the extensive piece of work and highlighted the importance of how it linked to the Health and Wellbeing Board priorities and Fairness and Wellbeing Commission. He referred to the challenge from Mr Brown in his public statement and ensuring the Action Plan was rooted in user experience. He also highlighted that access and communication needed to be appropriate when addressing measures of success.
Support for the Action Plan was also highlighted by the Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice in Doncaster, stating that advice improved lives with local projects and could provide statistical information to support this. He also explained that alongside Sheffield University the organisation had undertaken research about the barriers that minority groups faced when accessing services. He offered to share this information with the Board.
A Board Member highlighted the broad timelines for March 2026 and questioned if those areas set out in the report, were the top themes the Board sought to address. A number of Board Members questioned whether the action relating to Blue bins (to improve communication in diverse languages to residents to help them understand the bin collections system and what to put in or not), and would that improve the health of minority communities in Doncaster. It was stressed that SMART objectives were required for the issues the Board could realistically provide improvement.
The methodology undertaken to reach the action plan was addressed and noted that strangely Blue bins was an issue that people were raising and acknowledged that probably it would not solve access to or improve a person’s health. The data collated highlighted the information and languages used to get health messages out to the public, for example how to the winter wellness messages reached people. It was acknowledged that solving access could be difficult to achieve but there was a need to highlight the areas that could be, for example, “how do we know who is on a waiting list” and “what data intelligence was required to address this”. It was acknowledged there was some refining to undertake but also stressed that the Action Plan was developed across representatives from Team Doncaster with a voice and commentary from communities.
The Board continued to address the Blue bin action with a Councillor suggesting the Waste bin collection information leaflet could include key health information, because it tended to be the only piece of information circulated to all households that people retained. The Executive Director for Place explained that across all communities there was a concern about what could be put in the Blue bins and this could be magnified if English was not a persons first language. If the rules were broken this could then lead to bins being contaminated, eventually leading to a backlog of bins not being collected leaving areas unsightly and unpleasant. It was noted that this, in turn could lead to a persons health and wellbeing deteriorating. It was noted that education and engagement about lifestyles had been undertaken in Hexthorpe and had identified some positive results. It was acknowledged that fast food and ready meal packaging created much more waste and that it required disposing of in the correct receptacle.
The Consultant in Public Health clarified that with regard to the Blue bin action, it highlighted the challenges with the process. It explained that during the first consultation and when asked what the issues of concern were, people would think about issues relating to the hospital or GP services but now this issue was raised as a wider determinant of people’s health and therefore had been included in the Action Plan and open to suggestions whether it should be removed.
The Chair acknowledged that giving consideration to the wider determinants he accepted and understood why Blue bins were detailed as an action.
With regard to the names included on the Action Plan the Executive Director for Adults Wellbeing and Culture requested if the lead person who held influence over action implementation and their organisation, be included. He also stressed that it was good to see the connection of this document with other strategic pieces of work and suggested the leads for each theme meet with the Consultant in Public Heath to ensure all actions were understood and being progressed.
The Director of Public Health reminded the Board of the recommendation and suggested that the comments from the meeting be reflected upon and sought to endorse the Action Plan with caveats but not losing the voice and authenticity of the Minority Board. Board Members were happy to accept the Action Plan but further work be undertaken to address the issues raised at this meeting.
In response to a question it was confirmed that throughout the development of the Action Plan members of the community were invited and as part of its implementation would be shared with stakeholders.
Dolly Agoro, a Member of the Public referred to the Health Needs Assessment and the Minority Health Action Plan, and reiterated comments made by the Executive Director for Adults Wellbeing and Culture relating to addressing and progressing the action plan. She continued to highlight some of the struggles people faced from minority ethnic backgrounds from employment to care for the elderly. She continued to highlight how different minority communities eat different food and it was sometimes difficult for them to eat the food they were not used to, for example, when in hospital, and suggested investigations into how other local authorities address such issues.
RESOLVED that the Action Plan for improving the health of minority population in Doncaster, be endorsed subject to the caveats detailed in discussion, as follows:
· No detail be removed from the Action Plan;
· Clearer information on who was responsible for actions and when; and
· The blue bin reference be reworded to cover the more general concept with regard to health and wellbeing.
Date and time of the next meeting: Thursday 13th March 2025 at 9am in the Council Chamber, Civic Office, Doncaster.
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