26 Jan 2019 13 councils successful in next phase of Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme
Solutions to tackle childhood obesity are to be developed by 13 councils in England, having been successful in the next phase of the government’s Trailblazer programme.
The councils will receive £10,000 in funding and targeted support to create plans that can be shared across the country. Following which, five will then be chosen next year to receive £300,000 to take their plans forward over three years.
The programme, in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA), will test the limits of existing powers, share best practice, develop solutions to local obstacles and consider how the Government can achieve large-scale changes.
Steve Brine, public health minister, said: ‘Our Trailblazer programme will support the 13 councils to bring their ideas to life with the help of dedicated support and guidance. They have the potential to not only improve the health of children in their own communities but across the country by helping us to shape future policy on childhood obesity.
‘Brilliant, innovative projects are already taking place across the country, but now is the time for us to tackle this issue together.’
Congratulations to two local authorities in the North West, Rochdale Borough Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council who were successful in the next phase of the programme. We look forward to seeing how plans in these local areas unfold in the next coming months.
The remaining 11 local authorities include: Bath and North East Somerset Council, Birmingham City Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, London Borough of Havering, London Borough of Lewisham, Middlesbrough Council, North Tyneside Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Peterborough City Council and Walsall Council.
