Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing)

The Health and Social Care Act, passed in March 2012, provided a critical step in the transition towards the establishment of a new public health system, founded upon improving health in the local community through joint programmes driven by leadership from local government. The new system, which is due to be fully implemented in April 2013, will see responsibility for public health transfer from the NHS to Stockport Council. As such Stockport Council will take the lead for improving health, co-ordinating local efforts to protect the public’s health and ensuring health services promote population health.

The report details the operational activities that have taken place to secure the successful transition of this responsibility including the TUPE arrangements for NHS Public Health staff and the transfer of Public Health contracts.  

The Executive is recommended to:

•        Agree to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE)  transfers between the PCT and Council and note the results of the various consultation exercises

•        Agree that the acceptance of the Contracts Transfer Scheme, which will take place at the end of March 2013 is delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors.

•        Agree that any public health contracts that are not covered by the Transfer Scheme and which are of a value in excess of the Council’s contracting and tendering procedures and delegation will be subject to an Urgent Decision. 

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the proposals for the transfer of responsibility for public health from the NHS to the Council, in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2012. From 1 April 2013 the Council would take the lead for improving health, co-ordinating local efforts to protect the public’s health and ensuring health services promote population health. The report details the operational activities that have taken place to secure the successful transition of this responsibility including the TUPE arrangements for NHS Public Health staff and the transfer of Public Health.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following in relation to the transfer of responsibility for public health from the NHS to Stockport Council:-

·                the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE)  transfers between the PCT and Council and the results of the various consultation exercises be noted;

·                the acceptance of the Contracts Transfer Scheme, which will take place at the end of March 2013, be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant executive councillors;

·                any public health contracts that are not covered by the Transfer Scheme and which were of a value in excess of the Council’s contracting and tendering procedures and delegation be subject to an Urgent Decision.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health

The Health and Social Care Act, passed in March 2012, provided a critical step in the transition towards the establishment of a new public health system, founded upon improving health in the local community through joint programmes driven by leadership from local government. The new system, which is due to be fully implemented in April 2013, will see responsibility for public health transfer from the NHS to Stockport Council. As such Stockport Council will take the lead for improving health, co-ordinating local efforts to protect the public’s health and ensuring health services promote population health.

The report sets out the legal background, the key messages from the Department of Health and the main responsibilities of the Director of Public Health.

The Health Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report and recommend that the Executive

·           Agree to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) transfer of staff between the PCT and Council and note the various consultation exercises.

·           Agree that the acceptance of the Contracts Transfer Scheme, which will take place at the end of March 2013 is delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Strategy and Commissioning) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the arrangements for the transfer of public health functions from the Primary Care Trust to the Council from 1 April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the Executive be recommended to:

·        agree to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) transfer of staff between the Primary Care Trust and the Council in respect of public health and note the various consultation exercises.

·        agree that the acceptance of the Contracts Transfer Scheme, which will take place at the end of March 2013 be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant executive councillors.

To consider a joint report of the Service Director (Strategy & Performance) and the Director of Public Health

The report provides an update on the Public transition and progress completed to date in relation to staff transfers, contract validation and budget review.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report and make comments as appropriate.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, or by email donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Transformation & Commissioning) and the Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on progress with Public Health transition, including staff transfers, contract validation and budget review.

In particular the Scrutiny Committee discussed the ongoing uncertainty about the level of funding that would be transferred to the Local Authority and the possible impact on public health activity and contracts.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.