Decision

To agree -

a)   continued use of previously allocated health funding from Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, which has now been replaced by the newly formed Essex Integrated Care Board, who have agreed for the funding’s extension of use to deliver the following projects; £165,000 Health and Housing Funding to undertake fuel poverty work, £4,000 education and socio economic funding to support local Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM) events, £120,000 funding for Wellbeing Hubs in primary schools to fund training and staffing to deliver the project.

b)   to accept £4,000 of funding which was initially received from Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board and allocate it to undertake STEAM events.

Reasons for the decision

The Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has provided funding which the Council has accepted to deliver health and housing outcomes (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Cabinet, 17/09/2021 10:30, (pages 63-94) and Wellbeing Hubs in Primary Schools Decision - Acceptance of Funding for Wellbeing Hubs projects and funding has also been provided for STEAM events. The Suffolk and North East Essex ICB has now been replaced by the Essex ICB. When the new ICB came into existence a request was made to continue use of the funding as there was some funding remaining. Essex ICB wrote to the Council to confirm the funding position on legacy schemes. Each of the schemes highlighted above were listed and the proposed approach so that the services could continue in line with the original intention of the funding. This decision therefore agrees the Council’s continued use of this funding in line with the new Essex ICB approach.
In addition the decision agrees the acceptance of £4000 of funding for STEAM events as this was not formally accepted at the time it was originally provided.

Alternative options considered

The Council could decide not to agree the use of the funding although this would adversely impact residents who would experience reduced services in respect of fuel poverty, mental health in primary schools and an aspiration event for young people. The Council could also request to utilise the funding differently. However all the projects which are proposed to have continued funding are in line with the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy priorities, fuel poverty – addressing the wider determinants of health, wellbeing hubs – improving resilience and STEAM events -addressing the wider determinants of health