Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health.

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

The Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider a draft Business Case for the restructuring of the Public Health service as part of the strategic implementation of the Stockport Together Prevention and Empowerment programme.

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing) (Councillor John Pantall) attended the meeting to answer questions about the proposals.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There was limited scope for achieving savings within the public health budget due to contractual limitations, nevertheless future contract negotiations would be vital to ensure that these would be flexible enough to meet future needs. The role of Greater Manchester or sub-city region clustering would also become more important.

·         Councillors discussed the importance of Stockport Together and public health contributions to this work. It was emphasised that Stockport Together was a process to reform services, and was not about passing on costs. All the organisations involved would need to consider any wider resource issues and how these might be addressed.

·         Consideration might need to be given to current contracts with Foundation Trust and their management overheads.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update be provided to the Scrutiny Committee upon conclusion of the consultation.