A senior councillor has said tackling health inequalities across the divide in Solihull will be one of his key priorities this municipal year.

Cllr Tony Dicicco, Solihull Council's cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, says the authority "will not rest on its laurels" after the department received a 'good' rating earlier this year.

The authority has for years tried to tackle the gap between the north and south of the borough.

The north, which includes Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst and Fordbridge and Smith's Wood, features some of the most deprived areas in the country.

Setting out his priorities at the latest health and adult social care scrutiny board meeting the councillor said: "Addressing inequalities remains a key priority for us.

"I'm acutely aware the gap in life expectancy for both men and women in the most affluent parts of the borough and those in the least affluent parts, the most deprived locations, is increasing.

"It started to widen during Covid and we haven't got the gap back since, that is an issue for us.

"We are looking to address this with health checks and getting people to live healthy lives."

The councillor said the council's smokefree 2030 initiative, attempting to get people to quit smoking, was among the work being carried out.

"That's one of the areas that would significantly improve people's health," the councillor said.

"Not just for smokers but people who vape, we are trying to take steps to address youth vaping."

Cllr Catherine Price asked: "What kind of services can people access?

"How would they go about doing that – is there a forum? "

Cllr Dicicco replied: "There are various things with inequalities, family hubs are a great one-stop shop if they have got issues.

"We offer support through health visitors.

"We also do targeted health schemes where we assess people's blood pressure, weight, general health and try to help them with healthier life regimes.

"Health inequalities cover a big area. Some of it is due to deprivation. We can't get away from that.

"There is a broader strategy the council has tried to do over the last 10 to 15 years about regeneration in the north."

Cllr Annette Mackenzie said: "Another inequality I have a thing about, residents being left behind because of all this technology.

"We must always remember not everybody has got a smart phone, on a computer, an iPad.

"There must always be information readily available for everybody.

"I know the council does a good job with that but that is something to bear in mind."

Speaking on the rating for the department Cllr Dicicco said: "We have had a great year with the CQC inspection – in March we got a very good result.

"I think we are currently fifth in the country of all those authorities that have been inspected. It's an excellent achievement, all the staff have done a great job.

"Obviously we are going to continue to try and improve our care offer and will be liaising with the CQC with a full reinspection in about four years time.

"We will be preparing for that."

The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on July 30.