Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Public Health which provided an update on the public health allocation and the transition process being undertaken to prepare the Council for taking on its new statutory duties for public health from April 2013. It sought approval for the extension of contracts that would be included in the statutory transfer scheme from NHS Sefton, subject to approval by the North West Strategic Health Authority, and for the establishment of the public health structure and transfer of staff in substantive posts through the statutory transfer scheme.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Decisions Made:

(1)       approval be given to the inclusion of the ring-fenced public health allocation into the 2013/14 and 2014/15 budget;

(2)       the proposed budget profile for 2013/14 be approved;

(3)       approval be given to the submission of a proposal to extend a range of current PCT contracts as outlined in the report and the Head of Corporate Legal Services be authorised to confirm the same to the Strategic Health Authority;

(4)       approval be given to the establishment of the public health structure as outlined in Appendix D of the report;

(5)       approval be given to an application being made for recognition as a training location for the specialist public health training scheme;

(6)       the Head of Corporate Personnel and Director of Corporate Support Services be given delegated authority to make any appropriate arrangements for the transfer of public health employees as required in accordance with the transfer of the public health function which includes, but is not limited to, confirming the Director of Public Health’s appointment and all other employees, at a time deemed appropriate by the Head of Corporate Personnel; and

(7)       the final sign-off of the transfer scheme be delegated to the Cabinet Member - Older People and Health.

Reasons for Decisions:

To enable the Council to take on its new statutory duties for public health from April 2013.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.