Issue - meetings

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy (SP) requires Councils to develop local SP plans.

Across the whole of Dorset between 70 and 80 lives are lost perannum because of suicide and each death impacts people in families, workplaces and communities.

BCP Council has developed a comprehensive and wide-reaching action plan based on the responses to a local consultation. This has been developed with Heads of Service, working together to see how they could contribute to the suicide prevention plan.

The action plan provides information about the national and pan Dorset Strategic direction and then provides local narrative to set the scene for the BCP Council response.

The table in the plan outlines the main objectives and deliverables, set out by each lead area with communication and public health support throughout the plan. Many of the themes cut across Portfolio holder responsibilities, Directorates and teams, so the delivery plan shows contributions to the overall aim of reducing suicides and their impact. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the BCP Council Suicide Prevention Plan 2021-23.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

Reason

To meet the requirements that the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (SP), where Councils are required to develop local SP plans.

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (SP) required Councils to develop local Suicide Prevention plans, and that across the whole of Dorset between 70 and 80 lives are lost per annum because of suicide and that each death impacts people in families, workplaces and communities.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that BCP Council has developed a comprehensive and wide-reaching action plan based on the responses to a local consultation. This has been developed with Heads of Service, working together to see how they could contribute to the suicide prevention plan.

The action plan provides information about the national and pan Dorset Strategic direction and then provides local narrative to set the scene for the BCP Council response.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the table in the plan outlines the main objectives and deliverables, set out by each lead area with communication and public health support throughout the plan. Many of the themes cut across Portfolio holder responsibilities, Directorates and teams, so the delivery plan shows contributions to the overall aim of reducing suicides and their impact. 

Members spoke in support of the report stressing the importance of the plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the BCP Council Suicide Prevention Plan 2021-23.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education