Purpose

The government’s new ‘Stopping the Start: our new
plan to create a Smokefree Generation’ plan was published in
October 2023. This plan aims to create a smokefree generation by
2030. Part of this plan is for Local Authorities to increase spend
on stop smoking programmes and commissioned services, targeting
populations where smoking
prevalence is highest.

Wigan Council has been notified that it will be awarded a grant of
£475,110 for financial 2024/25. It is proposed that funding
will be an annual agreement for a further four years until 2029,
however, has not yet been confirmed and is subject to review. To be
eligible to accept the funding, existing spend on stop smoking
services must be ring-fenced, continuing to support stop smoking
programmes and services.

Decision

The Deputy Director – Public Health authorises:

(1)      
the acceptance of the “Stopping the Start” Grant on the
terms outlined in the report;.and

(2)      
the Assistant Director – Legal, Governance & Elections to
enter into any agreements necessary to facilitate above
recommendations on behalf of the Council.