Agenda item

The Panel considered a report on the implications of the in year reduction to the public health grant and the comprehensive spending review.  It built on the report to the Panel in October 2015.

The proposed 6.2% in year cut to the public health budget had been confirmed in the November Spending Review which had also included a further 9% reduction to 2019.  The baseline public health grant for 2016/17 would not be confirmed until later in January but significant activity had been undertaken to review services and where possible to reduce services in line with the funding reductions.  However, the Panel noted that the cut would have a severe impact, particularly as Slough was already the lowest funded in the country amongst authorities with equivalent levels of deprivation and because of the difficulty of implementing in year cuts when the vast majority of spend was committed in contracted services.  Details of the service reviews were set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report and the Panel were informed that the risks were being mitigated by integrating services and working with partners such as the CCG and Children’s Trust.

The Panel asked about the overall approach being taken and it was responded that there remained considerable uncertainty about the profile of the grant reduction over the next three years and the Council was therefore working on the ‘worst case scenario’.  A three-year plan was being put in place and the Council would fund mandated services by 2019 with a greater need to align with Slough CCG and NHS England.  A Member commented on the good progress being made with the drug and alcohol misuse strategy presented at the last meeting, and asked how other funding could be attracted to protect services.  It was responded that income generation was part of the approach being taken and the redesign of services could also achieve savings without negatively impacting on health outcomes.  The Panel commented that cuts to public health services was likely to increase pressures on other parts of the health system and that partners therefore needed to work closely together to maximise the value for money of the ‘public pound’.

Members discussed a number of other issues including the impact of staffing cost reduction this year and plans for recruitment from April 2016; the protection provided to mandated services; and the joint commissioning arrangements across Berkshire.  At the conclusion of the discussion the Panel noted the report.

Resolved –  That the report be noted.