Agenda item

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Receive an update on work contained with the DPH annual report within six months.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     NOTE the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026.

2.     NOTE the Council’s shared responsibility in preventing ill health which was dependent on joint working across the Council and with its partners. This included the service level agreements (SLAs) between Public Health and Directorates to promote and support working together effectively.

The Executive Member for Public Health submitted a report for Executive consideration. The purpose of the report was to set out the Director of Public Health’s (DPH) strategic focus on Ill Health Prevention, provide senior leaders and elected members with an overview of the key prevention challenges and opportunities across South Tees, strengthen collective responsibility for prevention across the Council, and promote consistent, system wide collaboration with partners, supporting a shared approach to improving outcomes.

The Director of Public Health identified several recommendations as part of his annual report which included achieving the 5% smoking prevalence ambition by 2030 and a continued investment in the South Tees system wide smoking cessation infrastructure, improving the early identification of harmful drinking and develop a targeted prevention and harm-reduction campaign for South Tees and to embed the Healthy Weight Declaration into core South Tees policy and governance so that creating healthier environments became a shared, system wide responsibility across all departments and partners.

A Member commented that individuals that died early were oftentimes the most difficult to reach and offer support to. It was asked what plans were in place to address this. It was clarified that there was a shared post between Public Health and James Cook University Hospital. This post was responsible for drafting the annual health inequalities report which had led to an increased awareness of this issue. It was conceded, however, that while a large amount of work was being undertaken in this area, it was a difficult issue and more work was required.

Members commented that there was a need to reach out to those in need of services rather than increasing appointment times and it was commented work had been undertaken on this matter, with the example of the Stop Smoking Campaign cited as an example.

In response to a question about joint working arrangements between Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Councils, it was commented that there were continued efforts to align the work of Public Health and Adult Social Care and their respective teams.

It was asked if the work of Public Health could be delivered via the Neighbourhood model. It was clarified there was a need to understand what buildings were available and which were most suitable for Public Health teams to operate from.

The Chair proposed that an update on the work contained in the DPH Annual Report be brought back to Executive within six months. Following a vote, this was agreed by Executive.

OPTIONS

No alternative options were submitted with the report as the DPH Annual Report was a statutory requirement and was for information only. It was not subject to amendment or approval.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Receive an update on work contained with the DPH annual report within six months.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     NOTE the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026.

2.     NOTE the Council’s shared responsibility in preventing ill health which was dependent on joint working across the Council and with its partners. This included the service level agreements (SLAs) between Public Health and Directorates to promote and support working together effectively.

REASONS

The report provided insight into local health needs and current work programmes. Its content ensured Executive was informed of the key issues and priorities for preventing ill health. 

Noting the recommendations strengthened the Council’s shared, system-wide commitment to preventing ill health and supported a co-ordinated action across Public Health, the wider Council and with partners to improve outcomes for residents.