Presentation by Project Manager, Healthy New Towns
Minutes:
The
Project Manager, Healthy New Towns gave a presentation on Healthy
New Towns, a NHS England sponsored programme which was about
building healthy communities.
It was reported that Darlington was one of ten healthy New Town sites across England and was the only one in the North East, with the initial focus of work being on the eastern growth zone, including Red Hall, Burdon Hill and Lingfield Point, which had been chosen because of the economic and housing development opportunities the area presented, along with the significant challenges in terms of health inequalities compared to the rest of Darlington.
The
presentation covered the progress on the three workstreams within the programme of regeneration
and housing, new models of care and digital empowerment, with
particular reference being made to the regeneration and housing
workstream and the work being
undertaken to encourage the building of homes which met the
lifetime home principles, enabling houses to be adapted to meet the
changing needs of residents over their course, keeping them as
independent as possible for as long as possible.
Discussion ensued on the links with the HNT initiative on the
Red Hall Masterplan and the significant work on the Red Hall estate
to improve the image and attractiveness of that estate, the
community initiatives undertaken to date within that community and
the partnership work with Keepmoat Homes for the development of the
stables site that reflected the revised design principles of
lifetime homes.
Members questioned the
long-term sustainability of the project and it was reported that
the third year of Healthy New Towns was continuing to focus on
delivery but also on the legacy and influence of the programme
going forward.
RESOLVED
– That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee
be extended to the Project Manager, Healthy New Towns on her
presentation.