How can the support of elected members be ensured for these strategies?

Planning for healthier environments requires collaborative, joined-up working. Local authority planners, public health practitioners and others, such as environmental health officers, should work with Elected Members to harness their local knowledge and experience and apply this to promoting healthier food environments.

The role of elected members in district, county or single tier councils will vary depending on whether they sit on the planning committee (which makes decisions on planning applications) or not. However, all elected members have a role to play in representing the views and aspirations of residents in plan-making and when planning applications affecting their ward are being considered.

Effective elected member and officer collaboration, from the perspective of a public health officer:

“…understanding the briefing systems, and reporting systems so that members are aware of your work”

(Beth Wolfenden, Public Health Officer, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council)

When working with elected members, it is important for officers to:

• Establish an effective working relationship and build mutual respect
• Provide elected members with the opportunity to support your work and in doing so, develop and gain new knowledge and experience outside of their remit and previous interests
• Don’t be afraid to engage with elected members who do not have a leaning towards health and wellbeing

Gaining the support of elected members on strategies, from the perspective of an elected member:

Support elected members to build and maintain positive relationships with local businesses so that “we are bringing them along with us, not hitting them with a sledgehammer” (Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Lancashire County Council)

• Consistent messaging is key – communicate openly and provide clear advice
• Provide relevant evidence to support the decision-making process, making sure the presentation and use of language is accessible (for example, may need to explain technical terms and simplify language)
• Provide positive messages for elected members to feedback to communities – both the business sector and the wider community