Brent has a new diabetes ambassador following the parliamentary appointment of one of Tokyngton’s councillors.

Cllr Ketan Sheth, current chair of Brent Council’s community and wellbeing scrutiny committee, has been appointed as an ambassador by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on diabetes.

His appointment means he will now be working with the members of the group as part of their ongoing work in reviewing approaches to reducing diabetes across the country.

He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as APPG’s ambassador and to join this All-Party Parliamentary Group with such a great track record of success and with so much ambition to do more for people with diabetes.

“In Brent, one in ten adults have diabetes and am pleased with our partnership work that is being undertaken to bring this figure down.”

Cllr Sheth has represented Tokyngton, Wembley, since 2010, and is also lead governor of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

He said the wellbeing scrutiny panel established a task group in 2013 to examine issues surrounding diabetes, making recommendations in a report.

As a result the council partnered with Diabetes UK to train and support local people as volunteer “Diabetes Champions”.

He said the champions attend community events and supermarkets to promote diabetic risk reduction, with examples including demonstrations of how many sugar lumps are in popular “savoury” ready meals and sauces to grab shoppers’ attention.

“Local levels of diabetes are connected with our residents’ inactivity - less than half participate in any sport or active recreation, he said. “To address this, the council has placed outdoor gyms in our parks with free instruction from personal trainers and promotes a programme of healthy walks around the borough.”

He added: “I look forward to using the Brent experience and many others around the country to help promote diabetes awareness and to reduce cases of diabetes.”

APPGs are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within parliament.

They are run by and for members of the Commons and Lords, though many choose to involve individuals and organisations from outside parliament in their administration and activities.