The Director of Adult Care and Health Services submitted a report setting out the Public Health budget for 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 including the required re-profiling of the budget.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·         Appendix 1: Public Health Performance & prevalence data for services subject to budget change in 2018-19 

·         Appendix 2: Equality Impact Assessment

The report explained that, in response to partner and public feedback from the Public Health Budget consultation on the importance of support to prevent or reduce ill health (Minute 85 above refers), budget proposals had been prepared for 2019/20 through to 2021/22 which largely maintained the Council’s level of expenditure on these services, but re-profiled the budget to ensure financial sustainability.  The proposed Public Health Grant budget for 2019-20 reflected a 2.6% reduction in the central government grant.

The report stated that Public Health commissioners had worked with providers to explore in-year and future options whilst working within contractual constraints.  This had resulted in some positive negotiations with providers in identifying ways to address the risks associated with funding reductions, and continued service delivery in areas of priority for Reading.

Resolved –

          That the proposed use of the Public Health grant in meeting Public Health outcomes by the local authority from 2019/20 to 2021/22 be agreed.