The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Shropshire Council met on 20 October 2025 to discuss several health-related topics. The agenda included discussions on embedding health considerations across the council, updates from the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) and the Health and Wellbeing Board, and a review of the committee's work programme. The committee was also scheduled to confirm the minutes of previous meetings and address questions from the public and council members.

Health in All Policies

The committee was scheduled to explore how health considerations and prevention could be integrated across all areas of the council's work. According to the agenda, Rachel Robinson, Executive Director for Public Health, was expected to be present to discuss this item.

Updates from the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board

Councillor Rosie Radford, Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was scheduled to provide a verbal update from the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC). Additionally, Councillor Bernie Bentick was expected to give a verbal update from the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to receive a verbal update on its work programme from Sophie Foster, Overview and Scrutiny Officer.

The draft work programme for 2025-2026 included the following items:

• Health in all Policies, scheduled for 6 November 2025
• Neighbourhoods, Community and Family Hubs
• Digital Health and Wellbeing
• Local Implications of the NHS 10 Year Plan¹

Previous Minutes

The committee was scheduled to confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 27 January 2025 and 22 May 2025.

The minutes from the 27 January 2025 meeting record that Councillor Beverley Waite of Ludlow Town Council had submitted questions regarding hospital and health services in Ludlow. The minutes also reflect a discussion regarding suicide rates in Shropshire, where it was noted that:

Members highlighted that by interpreting these two figures in another way there was a 20% difference between them and agreed that this difference was very significant to the people of Shropshire. The Executive Director of Health acknowledged this significance and importance.

The minutes from the 22 May 2025 meeting record that Councillor Rosie Radford was elected Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Dawn Husemann was appointed Vice-Chair. Councillors Dawn Husemann, Chris Naylor, and Rosie Radford were also appointed to serve on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Public and Members Question Time

The agenda allowed for questions, statements, or petitions from the public, provided notice had been given by 12 noon on 14 October 2025. Similarly, questions from members of the council were to be received by the same deadline.