Chapter 3 - Examples of How Council Action can Affect Health

• Home
• Health and Social Care
• Health Improvement
• Healthy Kingston Strategy
• Chapter 3 - Examples of How Council Action can Affect Health

Through housing services the Council can improve the quality of the homes available for Kingston's residents, increase the supply of affordable homes for those in housing need and work in partnership with other agencies to promote the health and wellbeing of residents on Council estates.

"Most people spend more time in their homes than anywhere else. So good quality housing inevitably has an important impact on health."  -  Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation

Through economic development we can encourage investment in Kingston, which brings income to households and improve opportunities for training for unemployed people.

"People in work enjoy better physical and mental health than those without work"  -  Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation

And through grants and partnerships we can support voluntary activities, which contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community.

As purchasers of goods and services the Council can set standards by positive selection and ensure healthy policies in council contractors.

As a large employer we can promote the health of our own employees through green travel plans, smoking policies, family friendly policies, health and safety policies, good work practices and health advice to staff. As policy promoters we can advise and facilitate similar work to improve health in other local businesses.

As a democratically elected body, with responsibility for representing the views of constituents, we can develop partnerships for action with both the voluntary sector, local health services and other bodies to provide better services, e.g. economic regeneration, Agenda 21 initiatives. Kingston can and does work with various groups in partnership to provide better services and bid for new projects such as Healthy Living Centres.

"Appendix 4 shows the responsibilities for the four directorates who impact on health in relation to the government targets in"  -  Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation.