The Director Of Adult and Health Care Services submitted a report setting out the context for the required re-profiling of the Public Health budget from 2018-19, summarising proposed budget changes for 2018-19, and giving indication of options for further changes from 2019, subject to feedback from a proposed consultation.

The report explained that the total Public Health budget for 2018-19, as agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 9 April 2018 (Minute 90 refers), had not changed, and services would be delivered within the agreed overall financial envelope.  A table in the report set out the proposed changes to the 2018/19 budget which included the use of public health reserve to support the smoking cessation service, after health partners had raised concerns related to the reduction in funding.  Funding had also been allocated to enable the continuation of a reduced child and adult weight management service after October 2018.  It was proposed that the total budget for Smoking Cessation and Healthy Weight Support be combined in future to form part of an Integrated Health and Wellness Service.  The report also set out the current position relating to the Drug & Alcohol Service and the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service.  A summary of Public Health Performance & prevalence data for services subject to budget change in 2018-19 was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and an Equality Impact Assessment at Appendix 2.

The report explained that it was proposed to carry out a full public consultation from November 2018 to January 2019 to inform future Public Health Grant profiling in Reading, and how reducing budgets could still support the achievement of Public Health outcomes. This would include gathering feedback on services currently offered, options for alternative delivery models and partnership arrangements, and other ideas on priorities for support to stay well.  The draft consultation document was attached to the report at Appendix 3.

Resolved –

(1)     That the re-profiling of the 2018-19 Public Health Grant budget be noted;

(2)     That a consultation be undertaken on the achievement of Public Health outcomes by the local authority from 2019, including use of the Public Health Budget from 2019-20, including inviting stakeholder feedback on the broad range of activities undertaken by the Council which contribute to the achievement of Public Health outcomes.