Issue - meetings

The report provides an overview of the progress with disaggregating the shared public health service and establishment of two separate public health teams by 1 April 2025 which was considered by Cabinet on 5 February 2025.

The Director of Public Health presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. 

The report provided an overview of the progress with disaggregating the shared public health service and establishment of two separate public health teams by 1 April 2025 which was considered by Cabinet on 5 February 2025.

The Committee discussed the presentation, including:

• In response to a query regarding staffing, the Committee was advised that it was a complex process of disaggregation and was provided details of the current position.
• In response to a query regarding adult weight management contracts and the success rates, the Committee was advised that the contracts were a small part of the Livewell Dorset pathway and data was only collected over the whole pathway and not just those contracts, making tracking success of that element alone not possible.
• In response to the treating tobacco dependency detailed, the Committee was advised that vaping was considered an appropriate nicotine alternative for those wishing to stop smoking however, it was not advised for those who were not previously smokers.

The Chair thanked the Director of Public Health for presenting this item.

The report provides an overview of the progress with disaggregating the shared public health service and establishment of two separate public health teams by 1 April 2025. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)          Recognised and supported the work done out in partnership with Dorset Council to disaggregate the shared service following BCP Council’s decision to terminate the agreement in April 2024;

(b)          Endorsed the decisions that the steering group is proposing to take, set out at para 12 below and Appendix A, recognising the pragmatic approach taken in order to maintain positive working relationships, financial stability and service provision to residents; and

(c)          Noted that the programme is on track to have two separate public health teams in place from 1 April.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Health and Wellbeing

Reason

To ensure continued provision of equitable and effective public health services for both Councils, in line with the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This contributes to the delivery of BCP Council’s vision and ambitions around health and wellbeing in the Corporate Strategy.

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

Cabinet was advised that report provided an overview of the progress with disaggregating the shared public health service and establishment of two separate public health teams by 1 April 2025. 

Thanks were expressed to the Corporate Director for Wellbeing for all her hard work.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)          Recognised and supported the work done out in partnership with Dorset Council to disaggregate the shared service following BCP Council’s decision to terminate the agreement in April 2024;

(b)          Endorsed the decisions that the steering group is proposing to take, set out at para 12 below and Appendix A, recognising the pragmatic approach taken in order to maintain positive working relationships, financial stability and service provision to residents; and

(c)          Noted that the programme is on track to have two separate public health teams in place from 1 April.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Health and Wellbeing

Reason

To ensure continued provision of equitable and effective public health services for both Councils, in line with the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This contributes to the delivery of BCP Council’s vision and ambitions around health and wellbeing in the Corporate Strategy.