The Public Health and Community Safety Cabinet Panel met on Tuesday 8 July 2025 to discuss a range of important public health and community safety matters. Key decisions included the approval of policies relating to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), and the noting of reports on the Public Health Grant, the Public Health Nursing Service transformation, and the commissioning of an advocacy service for victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The panel also received updates on the Local Authority Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant.

Police and Crime Panel Update

Councillor Matt Fisher, the Council's representative on the Police and Crime Panel (PCP), provided an update on the PCP's business. The panel noted the information presented, which included an overview of the Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards' first full year in office, detailing progress against strategic policing priorities, operational improvements, and plans for the year ahead. Key points included the appointment of Chief Constable Andy Prophet with a focus on neighbourhood policing, improvements in crime data recording, and ongoing engagement with communities. Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the use of electric scooters in criminal activity, the need for transparency in the allocation of community grants, and the effectiveness of CCTV in deterring anti-social behaviour. The panel also discussed firearms licensing, nitrous oxide misuse, rural crime, and the importance of visible policing.

Approval of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA): Annual Report

The panel reviewed the annual report on the use of RIPA and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) by the council between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. The report detailed the council's use of directed surveillance and communications data, noting that no breaches of procedures were identified. The panel was asked to recommend to Cabinet the approval of updated policies relating to directed surveillance, covert human intelligence sources, the acquisition and disclosure of communications data, and the use of social media in investigations. The report highlighted that directed surveillance was used twice, both for Trading Standards investigations into alleged underage sales of vapes and alcohol, one of which resulted in a prosecution. Communications data was accessed 66 times, primarily by the Shared Anti-Fraud Service for housing fraud investigations and by Trading Standards for doorstep crime investigations. Councillors noted the report and recommended the policies for approval by Cabinet.

Overview of the Public Health Nursing Service Transformation and Procurement Programme

Aideen Dunne, Associate Director of Public Health, presented an overview of the Public Health Nursing (PHN) service, which encompasses health visiting for 0-5 year olds and school nursing for 5-19 year olds. The service is a prescribed function of the Public Health Grant and is currently commissioned from Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT). A transformation programme was undertaken in 2024 to redesign the service, aiming to improve integration, align with national policy, and address health inequalities. Key changes in the redesigned service include the reintroduction of mandated antenatal contacts, enhanced support for families with SEND, and a refocusing of school nursing to be population-based. The procurement process for the new service is ongoing, with a competitive tender identified as the most appropriate route. The outcome of the procurement will be presented to the panel in September 2025, with a final decision by Cabinet in September 2025. The new contract is set to go live on 1 April 2026. Councillors noted the report and the ongoing procurement process.

Public Health Grant 2024/2025 – 2025/2026

Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health, and Georgie Sheridan, Head of Finance, presented an update on the Public Health Grant. The report detailed the grant's ring-fenced nature, its use for public health outcomes, and the council's financial self-sufficiency through this grant. The grant for 2025/26 is £58 million, representing a 5.47% increase. The report highlighted a significant decline in the grant's real terms value over recent years, despite population growth. It also outlined the service planning process, the use of internal commissioning for services delivered by other directorates, and provided a breakdown of expenditure for 2024/2025, including commissioned services like Public Health Nursing and drug and alcohol treatment. The report also detailed the salaries budget, noting a reduction in staff numbers following a strategic review, and discussed the Public Health reserve, which is being reduced through provider uplifts and a new Prevention Investment Fund. Councillors noted the report and provided feedback on the presentation of data and the need for outcome reporting.

Commissioning of an Advocacy Service for Victims and Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Hertfordshire

Katie Fulton, Senior Development Manager, presented a proposal for the commissioning of a countywide, independent, and specialist advocacy service for victims and survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The report highlighted the confusing nature of current support pathways due to the multiplicity of services, leading to delays and re-traumatisation for victims. The proposed solution is a joined-up advocacy service that consolidates existing services under a single contract, offering support across all forms of VAWG and risk levels. This service will act as a one front door and will be developed in partnership with the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership. The service will also contribute to the development of One Stop Shops providing integrated support for victims' wider needs, including housing, financial, legal, and mental health support. The procurement process is underway, with the new service expected to launch between March and July 2026. Councillors noted the report and supported the proposal for a consolidated advocacy service.

Local Authority Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant

Louise Savory, Associate Director for Healthy Places and Communities, provided an update on the Local Authority Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant. The grant, part of a national plan to create a smokefree generation, aims to increase support for smokers to quit. Hertfordshire received £1,283,608 in Year 1 (2024-2025) and £1,270,260 in Year 2 (2025-2026). The funding is ring-fenced for stop smoking services and cannot be used for wider tobacco control or enforcement. The report detailed the grant's aims, including building capacity and demand, improving outcomes, and strengthening partnerships. Year 1 activities focused on building infrastructure, including increased staffing, revised payment models for providers, and the commissioning of new digital programmes like the Smokefree App and Allen Carr's Easyway. The Swap to Stop scheme, providing vapes as a smoking aid, was also expanded. Year 2 plans include enhancing communications, evaluating new programmes, and focusing on specific cohorts with higher smoking prevalence. Councillors engaged in a detailed discussion about the use of vaping as a smoking cessation tool, with concerns raised about potential long-term health impacts and the risk of normalising vaping for young people. The accuracy of the grant's ambition figures was also questioned. The panel noted the report and the ongoing efforts to reduce smoking prevalence.

The meeting concluded with the panel being asked to note the contents of the reports presented. The next meeting was scheduled for 12 September 2025.