Decision details

To consider the changes to health and wellbeing and social care, and to discuss the future direction they may wish the Council to take.

The Cabinet considered a report which outlined the changes to health and wellbeing and social care and discussed the future direction for health and healthcare in Oxfordshire.

Jonathan McWilliam, Director of Public Health, delivered a presentation on the opportunities for local government under the proposed reforms to the health system. The presentation covered the new structure of the Health & Wellbeing Board, the implications for the County Council, the Scrutiny function and district councils and the particular opportunites open to Oxfordshire County Council.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby spoke in support of Health & Wellbeing being returned to the County.  She urged the Director for Public Health to work closely with districts councils to ensure the well-being of those in rural areas.  She expressed hope that Scruitny and Health Watch would provide a means of monitoring how well the new board was performing and that Oxfordshire could be a flagship for the rest of the Country.

RESOLVED: to approve the direction of travel as set out in the report CA9 and to ask the Director of Public Health to report back on future developments in due course.