Decision details

This report will update Cabinet on commissioning intentions, and preferred arrangements for commissioning public health services following disaggregation of the shared service in 2024-25. Cabinet is asked to support the recommendations on future direction of travel for public health contracts. A mirror paper is going to BCP Council Cabinet with the same recommendations.

(a)           That the work completed to establish the Public Health teams within Dorset and BCP councils and the continued good performance in line with statutory responsibilities for Public Health, as set out in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, be endorsed.

(b)           That the proposed principles for the planned joint commissioning of Public Health services, where this makes sense to continue to do so, to maintain service quality, performance, efficiency and value for money for the residents of Dorset, be agreed.

(c)            To agree the principle that where commissioning and procurement decisions were required for any services that remain jointly provided, the lead commissioning authority’s decision making and governance route would be followed.  This included respecting thresholds where Cabinet agreement was required under that lead authority’s scheme of delegation.

(d)           That the proposed future direction for the delivery of public health functions and services through the two Public Health teams in Dorset and BCP council, be agreed.

(e)           That responsibilities for decisions associated with future procurement approaches, where Dorset Council leads, be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities, in consultation with the Executive Director for Housing, Communities.

Reason for the decision

It has been a year since two new Public Health teams were established in BCP and Dorset Councils. The paper and recommendations provided updates to elected members on the progress establishing the new Public Health teams. They provided an overview of the preferred options for how we intend to commission and provide Public Health functions and services in the future.

It was timely to review and set the future ambitions for the Public Health functions and services over the coming years in line with the 3-year indicative ring-fenced grant allocation and the ambitions set out within the Dorset Council Plan.