Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health, the purpose of which was to note the allocation of Public Health Grant funding for 2026/27 and indictive allocations for 2027/28 and 2028/29, which was ringfenced to improve Drug and Alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery delivery and associated outcomes for Oldham.

Approval was being sought to delegate authority to agree all decisions related to the utilisation of the Public Health Grant for Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Treatment and Recovery and Individual Placement and Support Grant (IPS) to the Director of Public Health, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health, and Wellbeing for above funding period. This will include the authority to vary existing contracts (and any associated collaborative commissioning agreements) or award grant agreements or contracts stemming from a compliant procurement process. It is also requested that authority is delegated to the Borough Solicitor or nominee to carry out all necessary legal formalities, including the execution of any contracts.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option A (preferred Option) – To accept the Public Health Funding allocations for drug and Alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery and delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing and the Borough Solicitor or their nominee, to enact all decisions regarding allocation of the funding, as outlined in the report.  Further, delegate authority to the Borough Solicitor or their nominee to carry out all legal formalities linked to the enactment of decision regarding the spend of the Public Health Grant.

Option A was the recommended option because it would ensure that Oldham Council can continue to improve prevention and early intervention around drugs and alcohol, improve access to treatment and recovery services and improve quality of provision to ensure that Oldham residents receive the best possible support to tackle drug and alcohol related harm, which will in turn improve health outcomes and reduce the number of drug and alcohol related deaths. 

Option B – To not accept the Public Health Funding allocations for drug and Alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery:

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet notes and accepts the Public Health Grant for Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Treatment and Recovery and Individual Placement and Support Grant (IPS) settlement for 2026/27 to 2028/29 including the conditions of funding outlined in this report and that confirmed funding for both elements is for 12 months, with indicative amounts for funding for future years, which will be confirmed at a later date. Agree that the grant funding is allocated to Public Health to enact, in line with the grant conditions.

2.    That the Cabinet delegates authority for the execution of all decisions regarding utilisation of the funding from the Public Health Grant for Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Treatment and Recovery 2026/27 - 2028/29 to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing.

3.    That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Public Health, in conjunction with the Borough Solicitor and Director of Finance (or their nominees), to vary existing contracts (and any associated collaborative commissioning agreements), issue grant agreements or award contracts stemming from a compliant procurement process.

4.    That the Cabinet delegate authority to the Director of Legal, or his nominee, to carry out all necessary legal formalities linked to the actions delegated to the Director of Public Health, including the execution of contracts.