Takeaways facing ban? (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Takeaways facing ban?
9:00am Monday 8th August 2011 in News By Adam Kula
Could restricting where takeaways are allowed to open help reduce the number of overweight children?
A RADICAL move is being put forward to ban takeaways from opening anywhere near Swindon schools.
In a bid to cut the number of overweight children in the town, one councillor is to table a motion calling for no new fast-food outlets to be allowed to open within a quarter of mile of schools.
The plan would help keep children away from temptation and has the support of a prominent doctor, but one businessman has condemned it as a sign of a Nanny State.
Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Nythe), is to propose at the planning committee meeting tomorrow that a new policy be adopted to curb bad eating habits at an early age.
He said: “The idea would be for officers to come up with a policy that would say: you can’t have that class of shop within a quarter of a mile of a school.
“It’s something to be debated. It’s not certain. But why don’t we have an open debate about these kind of approaches? We’re taking child obesity seriously.
“If officers can make this work, we’d have to do a consultation with local residents to see if this is something they would want to take place.”
The aim, if the planning committee agrees to back him, is to get officers to report back on the scheme by the new year.
He also said he would like Fionuala Foley (Con, Old Town and Lawn), Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee chairman, to write to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver to ask what it would take to get their restaurants to move into Swindon, and possibly offer health food courses to pupils.
Dr Peter Swinyard, 55, chairman of the Family Doctor Association, and practicing at Phoenix Surgery in Toothill, said: “From a medical point of view, clearly it’s important children do get brought up on a really good diet.
“If they’re stuffing themselves on fast food, I don’t think it’s the ideal thing to eat. I think from a medical point of view it would certainly be a welcome move.”
But Chris Watts, deputy head of Swindon’s Federation of Small Businesses, of Dunsford Close, said: “It’s a bit Draconian. People can make their own minds up about whether to go to these places or not.
“My gut reaction is every application has to be taken on its own merits. I don’t think it’s the root cause of these problems. We need to look more into education for kids rather than going out to these businesses.
“It’s almost going back to a Nanny State.”
The planning meeting is to be held at 6pm at the Civic Offices.
Comments(45)
Robfm
says...
9:24am Mon 8 Aug 11
No one dispute that children need a sensible balanced diet, but subsiding two Celebrity restaurants is hardly the way to do it, which one assumes is what he means by, 'what will it take'.
There are plenty of establishments doing healthy food options, however you cannot force customers to buy them.
I 2 Could B
says...
9:28am Mon 8 Aug 11
As Labour's Chris Watts, rather ironically, puts it - we don't want to go back to the Labour Nanny State approach we endured for 13 years.
One aspect of the article did make me laugh, though:
He also said he would like Fionuala Foley (Con, Old Town and Lawn), Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee chairman, to write to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingsta
ll and Jamie Oliver to ask what it would take to get their restaurants to move into Swindon
It would take Swindon to be a completely different town to the one it actually is in order for that to happen. Sadly.
Even Angrier Monkey
says...
9:51am Mon 8 Aug 11
.
The only thing that can change a kids diet and lifestyle is their parents.
house on the hill
says...
10:07am Mon 8 Aug 11
I havent yet seen a mcemployee of the month force feeding anyone a big mac or a pizza delivery person with a shotgun saying eat this or else.
We need to be more responsible for oursleves and our lives instead of blaming and suing eveyone else.
Healty options are easy to make at home and buy when out or just eat less, its pure lazyness by most, who just cant be bothered to make the effort, preferring to say its someone elses fault they and their kids are fat.
Whats next we sue the car manufacturers for our car crashes when we drive too fast or in a selfish manner.
We really are becoming a sad society where everything is someone elses fault and if we can sue them for it then all the better. Grow up and understand the words "personal responsibility", they apply to all of us, if you or your kids are fat its your fault and no one elses!
PaulD
says...
10:16am Mon 8 Aug 11
trustnopolitician
says...
10:27am Mon 8 Aug 11
It might make more sense to provide facilities where kids can get plenty of enjoyable exercise - sorry that would cost money and there ain't much of that about to be spent on real issues.
No growth = no cash to spend and nothing is being done to provide improve that .
Tory Councils and Governments are even worse than Labour in really getting to the root of a problem.
perhaps the next daft idea will be to shut all takeaways down or not sell to under 16's
I 2 Could B
says...
10:34am Mon 8 Aug 11
You're fat? Can't be your fault, must be the nasty big Fast Food giants to blame.
You're in debt and borrowed too much money? Can't be your fault, must be the nasty big banks to blame.
Labour systematically forced people to accept *everything* as being just fine and dandy. You want to weigh 23stone and only be able to move by riding around on an electric buggy? You go right ahead, anyone who might consider you a bit greedy is committing a hate-crime so don't listen to them.
If anything good comes of this current economic mess, let's hope that it's a regaining of personal responsibility and a recognition that it's actually a *good* thing to point out when things, on a common sense basis, are not right. Time to toughen up on our approach, not just to our diets and spending habits but in all areas of society.
Robfm
says...
10:45am Mon 8 Aug 11
The consequences of morbid obesity go way beyond what is fair on all of us. The new generation of super ambulances cost upwards of £90k to buy and fit out.
Hospitals are having to buy strengthened beds etc.
The Real Librarian
says...
10:47am Mon 8 Aug 11
The Real Librarian
says...
10:51am Mon 8 Aug 11
QUOTECoun Peter Greenhalgh (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) said: “I am astonished and appalled we are still talking about disrupting a legitimate business in Swindon.
“There are always going to be some people who will make a noise but they don’t reflect the views of most people who are very happy. In this current climate we cannot be looking to take action against a legitimate local business.”
UNQUOTE
http://www.swindonad
vertiser.co.uk/news/
local/9138062._Noisy
__airfield_keeps_its
_wings/
So whats changed in three weeks and why are we now talking about disrupting lots of legitimate businesses?
scottwichall
says...
11:06am Mon 8 Aug 11
As others have said, it's the responsibility of the parents to ensure their children have a balanced diet. A bit of junk food within this diet will harm no-one.
Apparently we have an "obesity epidemic" according to the health hand wringers looking at their charts of the British Standard Human.
I would have been classed as obese when I was a kid by this crop of nannying morons. When I hit 15, all my PUPPY FAT disappeared, and have stayed within the British Standard Human weight range ever since.
I am very disappointed in Cllr Heenan for even raising this measure to be honest. Perhaps he should promote the building of far more outdoor activity areas for children to play in rather than trying to implement such authoritarian policies.
Robfm
says...
11:19am Mon 8 Aug 11
Hmmmf
says...
12:00pm Mon 8 Aug 11
.
Why? What possible medical reason could he have for such a statement? 'Fast food' in and of itself is not unhealthy nor does it pose a medical risk. Indeed, one could argue that takeaways, with all the food hygiene regulations governing their operation, are healthier places to eat than totally unregulated and uninspected kitchens in homes.
.
As others have said, it's not food that causes obesity. Food is essential for life. It's the result of the 'calories in minus calories out' equation that determines weight gain or loss and you'd have thought Dr Swinyard would explain *that* rather than simply spouting NHS dogma.
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
12:02pm Mon 8 Aug 11
But yet again, if we really want to seem to care about "obesity" maybe we should encourage physical activity: more PE, walk-cycle to schools (why having catchement areas otherwise?), NHS is free for children (dentistry etc...), maybe councils could provide free access to sport/leisure....
Council officials could stop under age children going into clubs and pubs, alcohol isn't really good for health or diet.......
To the adver editor, could you please set up an annual Prize for the most stupid decision/idea based on readers vote? We all would be greatful to read more about the recipients of these Prizes especially those in "office".
I 2 Could B
says...
12:03pm Mon 8 Aug 11
As others have said, it's the responsibility of the parents to ensure their children have a balanced diet. A bit of junk food within this diet will harm no-one.
Absolutely. The real problem here, which no politician will ever publically admit, is that younger parents tend to simply think, 'Crap food is cheaper' (it's not) and mainly think, 'My kid will only eat chicken nuggets and chips and so that's all I ever feed them'.
In all seriousness, I would guess there's a large percentage of parents today that don't actually cook (by that I mean prepare largely from scratch) a single meal per week for their children. It will all be out of a packet, box, tin or tray.
So, yet again, the politicians compound the problem by effectively encouraging parents to blame the Fast Food companies rather than themselves.
Why is it that almost anything that companies do is considered 'bad' (when it's not) and yet parents always have to be considered noble and 'doing their best' when in fact they're not doing their best at all.
The Real Librarian
says...
12:23pm Mon 8 Aug 11
Bangtidy
says...
12:23pm Mon 8 Aug 11
Robfm
says...
12:41pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B
says...
1:07pm Mon 8 Aug 11
See link for reference:
is.gd/Rca97G
Robfm
says...
1:11pm Mon 8 Aug 11
scottwichall
says...
1:12pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B wrote:Nail on the head right there.
Indeed. On the basis that only those who've experienced something can truly give an insight into it, Dr Peter Swinyard wouldn't appear to have much to offer any discussion about either healthy eating or regular exercise.
See link for reference:
is.gd/Rca97G
I 2 Could B
says...
1:23pm Mon 8 Aug 11
Politicrat wrote
Council officials could stop under age children going into clubs and pubs, alcohol isn't really good for health or diet.......
To be fair, it's the role of the pub staff and police to ensure that underage drinkers are checked, prevented and, if necessary, dealt with. It's not a job that falls under the remit of the Council as the laws are already in place.
I suspect it's your rather obessessive view about alcohol that's led you to include the comment above in this discussion. While it's clearly true that our youngsters are sometimes consuming alcohol, I don't think anyone's seriously suggesting that's the reason many of them are so **** porky.
.
Also makes for an interesting juxtaposition between reality and the claims from some quarters. Apparently, images in the media are to blame for our children wanting to be stick thin... and yet at the same time record numbers of them are obese before they even leave secondary school? Hmm.
scottwichall
says...
1:29pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B wrote:@I 2 Could Be. Off topic, but how are you quoting part of someone's post? Are you just using < blockquote > ?
Politicrat wrote
Council officials could stop under age children going into clubs and pubs, alcohol isn't really good for health or diet.......
To be fair, it's the role of the pub staff and police to ensure that underage drinkers are checked, prevented and, if necessary, dealt with. It's not a job that falls under the remit of the Council as the laws are already in place.
I suspect it's your rather obessessive view about alcohol that's led you to include the comment above in this discussion. While it's clearly true that our youngsters are sometimes consuming alcohol, I don't think anyone's seriously suggesting that's the reason many of them are so **** porky.
.
Also makes for an interesting juxtaposition between reality and the claims from some quarters. Apparently, images in the media are to blame for our children wanting to be stick thin... and yet at the same time record numbers of them are obese before they even leave secondary school? Hmm.
I 2 Could B
says...
1:34pm Mon 8 Aug 11
scottwichall wrote
how are you quoting part of someone's post?
It's simply:
content
I 2 Could B
says...
1:35pm Mon 8 Aug 11
content without the .
scottwichall
says...
1:37pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B
says...
1:40pm Mon 8 Aug 11
imgur.com/lRzLl.gif
I 2 Could B
says...
1:41pm Mon 8 Aug 11
scottwichall wrote:It's just odd the things that do work and the things that don't.Oh well
Cheers. It has to be said, they would have been better using something like phpBB for the discussions.
stratton man
says...
2:42pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B
says...
3:02pm Mon 8 Aug 11
This would be a cheap scheme to introduce and would be the only realistic way to encourage parents to buy and then feed their children better food.
Unless the parents are actually spending this money on other things - or are happy to pump their kids full of crap - I can't see any reason why they would oppose the idea. After all, if it was to be tied into the main supermarkets there would be the potential for a massive economy of scale such that the supermarkets themselves could give double/treble loyalty points for those purchases which adds up to more spending power for people who have lower incomes.
itsamess
says...
3:27pm Mon 8 Aug 11
100% beef and salad products inside
and healthy rolls. Indian food full of spices being good for health--and you don't see many fat chinese.
The worst part of takeaways is the delivery drivers in dirty old cars with music blaring late in the evenings.
Big fuss over nothing it seems.
Hmmmf
says...
4:27pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B wrote:Ah but he's a doctor. He's not fat, he's simply got big-bonitis.
Indeed. On the basis that only those who've experienced something can truly give an insight into it, Dr Peter Swinyard wouldn't appear to have much to offer any discussion about either healthy eating or regular exercise.
See link for reference:
is.gd/Rca97G
MrAngry
says...
8:08pm Mon 8 Aug 11
And why stop at takeaways? Kids can buy sweets or junk food in supermarkets and newsagents. Consider a small area like Wroughton with 3 schools. A 1/4 mile exclusion zone around each school would mean no takeways in the core of the village.
If parents don't want kids to eat junk food, give them sandwiches instead of lunch money. How difficult is it?
itsamess
says...
8:23pm Mon 8 Aug 11
e bread it has been claimed as bad for the digestion.
Trying to think of anything someone at sometime has said is not bad for health.
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
10:53pm Mon 8 Aug 11
bad for health
Test
Punctured bicycle on a hillside
says...
10:55pm Mon 8 Aug 11
I 2 Could B wrote:nice
scottwichall wrote:It's just odd the things that do work and the things that don't.Oh well
Cheers. It has to be said, they would have been better using something like phpBB for the discussions.
macca.y
says...
1:38pm Tue 9 Aug 11
Dale Heenan
says...
2:25pm Tue 9 Aug 11
Robfm wrote:Interesting reaction and a shame my comments have generally been taken out of context or taken to imply things incorrectly. I was very clear when I spoke at the Health Committee that parental responsibility, physical activity and a healthy lifestyle is key, however the Council should debate what else is possible and this is my point. Child Obesity is said to have increased from about 11% to 17% for 2-15 year old boys, how can we change that? Unfortunately most of these comments seem to say shouldn't even have the debate.
Perhaps Dale Heenan doesn't realise it's the parents who usually by the food, so how will this help. He'll be wanting to introduce a bye-law next to ban adults from going to FFO's more than once a week.
No one dispute that children need a sensible balanced diet, but subsiding two Celebrity restaurants is hardly the way to do it, which one assumes is what he means by, 'what will it take'.
There are plenty of establishments doing healthy food options, however you cannot force customers to buy them.
In terms of this specific idea, I believe that we should review our approach to A5 units across the town and see what improvements we can put in place to ensure a better balance / variety of shops. How to stop an over concentration of A5 units for instance. Now proximity to schools is just one aspect, but it should be thought through by officers, consider what other Councils did (and they have done this) and what we in Swindon might like to do. Aside from its the parents responsibility, please let us know what ideas you have to tackle this problem?
There is also no intention to subsidize any celebrity restaurant, at no point would I propose or agree that. I would like to see SBC, the Primary Care Trust, schools and the colleges work together on ideas like a Jamie's kitchen teaching children and parents to cook fresh food. What lessons can be learnt from Jamie Oliver and his experiences, or try something different and ask people like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingsta
ll to see what opportunities exist. If we don't ask then it'll never happen and surely there are better ways to raise awareness, and get people more interested in food.
MrAngry
says...
7:34pm Tue 9 Aug 11
Why do we need other ideas? You seem have dismissed the parental issue. Why - is it politically incorrect? The government/public sector should stop molly-coddling people and let parents take responsibility for their offspring.
Takeways existed before child obesity. Why does it affect this generation more than previously? The nanny state has created a generation of poor parents who seem unable to control or discipline their children. I fear that having been set such a poor example, the next generation will be worse.
Public sector interference has created many of societies problems, so I fail to see how more social engineering nanny state tactics will solve them.
David Cameron's 'Big Society' and SBC's 'Stronger Together' theme sets out to encourage communities to take greater responsibility for themselves. This nanny state solution seems to contradict govt and SBC policy.
itsamess
says...
8:04pm Tue 9 Aug 11
It would appear there are too many misconceptions as to eating habits.
Were you a child once? Did you have the pleasure of little treats from your parents and relatives? Fish and chips with loads of salt and vinegar?
Ask yourself why good wholesome food has had so many ingredients banned as being damaging to health.
Does that not coincide with the rise in obesity and the rise of fat clubs and slimmers paradises?
Purveyors of foods and all things nice
have had to use all kinds of additives to foods to replace others just to give them flavour.
Look at schools for example where PE
Gym and wide varieties of sports were the norm and shedloads of youth clubs and the statutory swings slides and roundabouts in the recs.
Even the pavements marked out for hopscotch.
Life changed--cant do this--cant do that--close this--close that--cut out healthy lessons--oh poor tommy might hurt himself. So do tell us all about this unhealthy food from takeaways. KFC--chicken with spicy coating--low fat and spices that give acids to aid digestion and enrich the blood. How about the foods being given out in Africa right now like maize--rice and similar foodstuffs to keep those children alive as well as the parents. Simple--keep kids active
and whatever they eat will be burned off. Ah yes--no our council believes it
is right to stop kids having their treats
yet neglect to provide facilities that can keep them active--thats right-just put shops out of business.
Robfm
says...
7:18am Wed 10 Aug 11
As has been said children who exercise don't get fat, trying to remove the fat once it's there is almost an insurmountable task. Encourage parents by all means to healthy eat because it is a truism where there is an obese child there is usually at least one obese parent.
We as parents and grand parents should be our children's role model, not some celebrity chef who could in reality care less.
I 2 Could B
says...
7:37am Wed 10 Aug 11
Public sector interference has created many of societies problems, so I fail to see how more social engineering nanny state tactics will solve them
An excellent point. As Labour's 13-year time bomb goes off all around us on our city streets, we need to step back an realise that nanny state, public sector social engineering has failed on a disastrous level.
Labour did NOT know best. The people of this country knew best and were routinely ridiculed, labelled as 'old fashioned', racist and Nazis if they dared oppose the nefarious policies of the neo-Socialists.
Look where those policies got us. Billions upon billions of borrowed pounds, all largely wasted. Schools that can no longer teach children even the basics necessary to function. Employers who cannot take anyone on because they're either too thick or legislation makes it too expensive and fraught with the possibility of legal action against them. A health care service that now spends more on mangers and treating people from abroad than it does on providing health care to those who actually pay for the service. On-going wars that have seen our men and women die and our money squandered. A Human Rights Act and approach by the judges that has led to children realising that criminality is not taken seriously and they can simply do as they please on our streets. They don't just believe that 'nobody can touch me', we all know that they're correct in reality. Millions of families allowed to live solely on benefits, never contributing, always moaning and showing the next generation that idleness and dim-wittedness is a sure fire key to a house and free money.
The Left-wing unions have spent the last five months egging on and stoking these riots... very quiet now they've actually set them off though, aren't they? They've seen that decent, normal people are SICK of this crap.
Time for a change, time to leave behind the failed and dismal nonsense of the Socialist traitors.
Robfm
says...
7:52am Wed 10 Aug 11
scottwichall
says...
8:07am Wed 10 Aug 11
beaulieu says...
9:13am Mon 8 Aug 11
Bad choice of words there Chris !