Agenda item

12.1

The Director of Public Health submitted a report describing how the ring-fenced Public Health Grant is allocated; outlining the purpose, scope, and progress of the Public Health Grant Review; and seeking approval of a recommended approach to grant expenditure in relation to contract spend and inflation, particularly in relation to staffing costs.

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) notes the current allocation of Public Health Grant, the uplift in the Public Health Grant for 2023/2024 and the accompanying technical guidance and note the progress of Public Health Grant Review;

(b) approves the principle that, as set out in this report and in accordance with the principles set out in the technical guidance, some of the uplifted grant should be used to increase payments for services commissioned from NHS bodies from the Public Health Grant, wherever contractual arrangements allow, by 3.5%; and

(c) approves the principle that, as set out in this report, some of the uplifted grant should be used to increase payments for services commissioned from VCF bodies from the Public Health Grant, wherever contractual arrangements allow, by 3.5%

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The recommendations are consistent with the technical guidance issued by the Department for Health and Social Care alongside the grant settlement. They also ensure parity of treatment between different providers delivering services funded from the Public Health Grant.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

Strategy and Resources Policy Committee could decide to provide a 3.5% increase only to the NHS in line with technical guidance. This is not recommended.

12.1

The Director of Public Health submitted a report describing how the ring-fenced Public Health Grant is allocated; outlining the purpose, scope, and progress of the Public Health Grant Review; and seeking approval of a recommended approach to grant expenditure in relation to contract spend and inflation, particularly in relation to staffing costs.

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) notes the current allocation of Public Health Grant, the uplift in the Public Health Grant for 2023/2024 and the accompanying technical guidance and note the progress of Public Health Grant Review;

(b) approves the principle that, as set out in this report and in accordance with the principles set out in the technical guidance, some of the uplifted grant should be used to increase payments for services commissioned from NHS bodies from the Public Health Grant, wherever contractual arrangements allow, by 3.5%; and

(c) approves the principle that, as set out in this report, some of the uplifted grant should be used to increase payments for services commissioned from VCF bodies from the Public Health Grant, wherever contractual arrangements allow, by 3.5%

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The recommendations are consistent with the technical guidance issued by the Department for Health and Social Care alongside the grant settlement. They also ensure parity of treatment between different providers delivering services funded from the Public Health Grant.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

Strategy and Resources Policy Committee could decide to provide a 3.5% increase only to the NHS in line with technical guidance. This is not recommended.