Purpose

Directors of Public Health have a statutory requirement to write an annual report on the health of their population. It is an independent report written by the Director of Public Health (DPH) and acts as a vehicle to inform system leaders and residents about the health of their community, raise particular health issues and identify gaps or priorities that need to be addressed by local decision makers.

Decision

DECISION:

1. That the contents of the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026, Mental Health and Wellbeing: Why Prevention Matters and What We Can Do, be endorsed.
2. That Cabinet supports, in principle, the strategic priorities and actions proposed by the Director of Public Health and endorses further work to embed these within future Council strategies, commissioning arrangements and corporate priorities.
3. That Cabinet commits to promoting mental health and wellbeing as a whole-council responsibility and recognises prevention, community resilience and action on the wider determinants of health as essential components of improving population mental health outcomes in Cornwall.

Reason for the Decision: 

As contained within the report.

Alternative options considered:

None other than contained within the report.

Conflicts of interest declared:

None.

Dispensations granted in respect of a conflict of interest:

N/A