Sevenoaks’ success at improving the health of its residents is recognised on a world stage

SEVENOAKS District Council’s approach to promoting health and wellbeing was one of the topics covered at the World Health Organisation’s recent Healthy Cities Conference in Belfast.

Cllr Michelle Lowe on stage at the World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities Conference in Belfast

Representing Sevenoaks was district councillor Michelle Lowe who, during her presentation, explained how the authority has achieved one of the best records in the field of improving the health of residents through a combination of housing, licensing, environmental health, community safety, etc.

Cllr Lowe explained to the audience that Sevenoaks also tackles the underlying non-medical reasons why people seek medical help for conditions such as anxiety caused by debt, asthma caused by damp housing and a range of conditions caused by loneliness, lack of exercise and poor diet.

Continuing on the health theme, Cllr Lowe is the only district councillor to be short listed for the Local Government Information Units (LGiU) councillor recognition award for health and care.

She said: “Although I am spearheading the council’s health work it is actually not about me, but about the work we are doing to keep people well – and the fact that we are world leaders at doing this.”

This year’s LGiU ceremony will take place on Tuesday 6 November in London when more than 200 councillors from across the UK will celebrate their achievements, showcase the unsung heroes of local government and network with others across the sector.