Barnet Council is considering a campaign to limit the number of gambling and fast food outlets in the borough, citing health concerns and the need for greater local control. The council has already banned advertising of foods and drinks high in fat, salt, and sugar on Barnet Council assets as one strategy to address health concerns.
The decision was prompted by a question from Councillor Baker during a Council meeting. Councillor Baker inquired whether the council should extend its efforts to limit gambling outlets to also include fast food restaurants.
Councillor Moore, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, responded positively, agreeing with the need for further powers for local government to limit the number of fast food outlets. She highlighted the health harms associated with fast food, particularly the high rates of child and adult obesity in Barnet.
The reality is that the rise in and concentration of fast food outlets in many of our town centres is also causing harm,
Councillor Moore said. As cabinet member for public health, I am acutely aware of the rates of child and adult obesity in Barnet. The high levels of fat, salt and sugar in many types of fast food is stoking up even more health harms, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure.
Councillor Moore stated that to limit the number of fast food outlets requires further powers for local government,
which she would be happy to lobby for.
Councillor Zinkin suggested that in terms of gambling establishments, a cumulative impact assessment would be very helpful, as that is a piece of legislation that does need changing. Ollie Gough mentioned in his deputation on High Streets that in Golders Green, there is significant resident opposition to gambling outlets and I think that really needs to be looked at as part of the commutative impact assessments alongside vape shops.
