8.1. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING PLAN (HLTH5:NM:HM) Submitting Councillor: Councillor Paul Klisaris

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1 Council Meeting, 27 October 2009 Section Page DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING PLAN (HLTH5:NM:HM) Submitting Councillor: Councillor Paul Klisaris RECOMMENDATION That Council notes the process for the development of the Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan INTRODUCTION The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires Council to prepare a four year Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan within 12 months of general Council elections. As Council s current Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan is current until June 2010, Council has sought and received approval from the Department of Health to allow it s current plan to continue until its expiry date of 30 June This report is to advise Council of the process that will be undertaken in the preparation of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan BACKGROUND The function of the Council under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 is to protect, improve and promote public health and wellbeing. One of the mechanisms to do this is through the development and implementation of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. The plan aims to work in partnership with the community and key stakeholders to enable, mediate and advocate for people living, working or studying in the municipality to achieve maximum health and wellbeing. In the development of the next Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires Council to: 1. Include an examination of data about health status and health determinants in the municipal district, 2. Identify goals and strategies based on evidence for creating a local community in which people can achieve maximum health, 3. Provide for the involvement of people in the local community in the development, implementation and evaluation of the plan, 4. Specify how the council will work in partnership with the Department of Health and other agencies undertaking public health initiatives, projects and programs to achieve the goals identified in the plan, 5. Develop a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan that is consistent with the Council Plan, Municipal Strategic Statement and have regard to the State Health and Wellbeing Plan.

2 Council Meeting, 27 October 2009 Section Page 2 DISCUSSION To ensure the new Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan fulfils the requirements of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 it is essential the following key milestones and their accompanying timelines be completed. Milestone Timeline Examination of the Health and Wellbeing Data September 2009 Establishment of the Monash Public Health & Wellbeing Steering Committee October 2009 Internal and External Consultation undertaken November December 2009 Prepare brief issues paper on the outcomes of the consultations/identified health priority areas including linkages to shared priority areas with the Council Plan and State and partner agencies Council to adopt draft Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Draft Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan open for public comment Council to adopt Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Distribution and Communication Strategy of new plan implemented December 2009 February 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 This process has commenced with Council recently updating the Health and Wellbeing profile to match the current population of Monash with the latest ABS and Health status data to ensure currency of the key health, social and environmental issues for Monash communities. Additionally fact sheets have been developed to complement the profile within each of the four environments for health, which will provide a snapshot analysis of the Health and Wellbeing of the Monash community. Throughout the development of the plan Council will continue to participate and advocate on issues such as Family Violence, Gambling, Drug and Alcohol misuse, Mental Health, Food Security, Physical Activity and Healthy Eating programs and policies. These health issues will be addressed through Health Promotion opportunities and initiatives both internally and externally. Examples of how Council is currently addressing these issues is through supporting National Walk to Work Day, Daffodil Day, Pink and White Ribbon Days and other significant State and National health events. The Monash Public Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee (Including Councillors Morrissey and Drieberg) will oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan A Monash Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Steering Committee, which will be made up of internal and external stakeholders will assist in the development of the plan by:

3 Council Meeting, 27 October 2009 Section Page 3 Providing Council with evidence based information and resources on public health and wellbeing issues and initiatives within Monash. Assisting Council in establishing the priorities for the City of Monash Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. Offering practical support and advice to assist Council in consulting with the community and health stakeholders on health and wellbeing issues. Working in partnership with Council in the implementation and evaluation stages of the plan The scope of the Committee is to provide advice, rather than having any decisionmaking capacity. The chairperson will provide the linkage between the Advisory and Steering Groups to ensure the development of the plan is transparent to all committee members. Following the extensive consultation process undertaken for the development of the Council Plan , the consultation for the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan will focus on collating quantitative data through the use of surveys to further determine the communities key health and wellbeing priority areas. This will be followed by focus groups with key community groups and internal Council staff and Councillors to provide further qualitative explanation on the identified health priority areas. It is envisaged that the plan will be similar in structure to the Council Plan with the utilisation of the Environments for Health Framework to ensure all dimensions including the Social, Built, Natural and Economic Environments are incorporated. The plan will ensure there are shared priority areas with Monashlink Community Health Service, Inner East Primary Care Partnership and the Greater Monash GP Network. The plan will be consistent with the State health priority areas such as Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Mental Health, Addiction, Preventing Injury and Harm, and promoting Social Inclusion. The establishment of these shared areas will be sought during the consultation stages. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The Monash Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan is integrated into the City of Monash Strategic Planning Framework including the Council Plan, Municipal Strategic Statement, Monash 2012 as well as other specific strategic plans. The Monash Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan provides strong links to these plans as well as external community health plans. FINANCIAL The implementation of the actions in the next plan will have budget and resource implications for Council. Resources will need to be incorporated into individual department budgets for the financial year and onwards.

4 Council Meeting, 27 October 2009 Section Page 4 CONCLUSION The development of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan has commenced and progress updates will be provided to Council. Councillors are encouraged to contribute to the new Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan by participating in the consultation process.

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