A senior councillor in Solihull has emphasised that addressing health inequalities remains a key priority for the council this municipal year. Councillor Tony Dicicco, the cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, highlighted that the authority “will not rest on its laurels” despite receiving a ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) earlier this year.
Solihull Council has long been focused on reducing disparities across the borough, particularly the gap between the more affluent south and the more deprived northern areas, including Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst, Fordbridge and Smith’s Wood. These northern localities contain some of the most deprived communities in the country.
At the recent health and adult social care scrutiny board meeting, Councillor Dicicco outlined his commitment to tackling this issue, noting that the life expectancy gap for both men and women between the most and least affluent parts of Solihull has been growing, particularly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Addressing inequalities remains a key priority for us,” he said. “We are focusing on health checks and encouraging healthier lifestyles to help bridge this gap.”
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One of the initiatives promoted by the council is the Smokefree 2030 campaign, which aims to reduce smoking rates significantly. Councillor Dicicco stated, “Helping people to quit smoking is an important step towards improving overall health. We are also taking measures to address youth vaping, recognising its growing impact.”
During the meeting, Councillor Catherine Price queried the services available to residents to support healthier living and how they could access them. Councillor Dicicco responded that the council offers various support options, including family hubs that serve as convenient access points for those facing challenges. Additionally, health visitors and targeted health schemes assess individuals’ blood pressure, weight, and general wellbeing to promote healthier routines.
He acknowledged that many health inequalities stem from deprivation and remarked on the council’s longer-term regeneration strategies aimed at improving the northern parts of Solihull over the past 10 to 15 years.
Further, Councillor Annette Mackenzie raised concerns about digital exclusion, reminding the council to ensure information is accessible to all residents regardless of their access to smartphones or computers. She acknowledged the council’s efforts in this area and encouraged continued vigilance.
Reflecting on the council department’s recent CQC inspection, Councillor Dicicco expressed pride in the achievement: “We received a very good result in March and currently rank fifth nationally among inspected authorities. This is an excellent accomplishment, thanks to the hard work of all our staff.” He added that while this is encouraging, the council is committed to continuous improvement and preparing for a full reinspection in approximately four years.
The scrutiny board meeting took place at the Civic Suite on 30 July.