The Health Scrutiny Committee of Derbyshire Council was scheduled to discuss gambling-related harms and the council's work programme for the upcoming year. The meeting also included a slot for public questions.

Gambling-Related Harms

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing gambling-related harms (GRH) as a key public health issue. The report pack outlined the adverse impacts of gambling on individuals, families, communities, and society, noting that the most socio-economically deprived groups experience the highest levels of harmful gambling. The emergence of online gambling was highlighted as a factor contributing to increased harms.

The committee was to consider the work undertaken to date in Derbyshire, which included providing accredited training for frontline professionals, routine screening in non-specialist settings, and targeted training for specific cohorts. The report pack also mentioned support for the mobilisation of a specialist NHS Gambling Harms Clinic based in Derby and involvement in a regional shared learning group. Furthermore, the council had supported four boroughs and districts in refreshing their statements of gambling licensing policy.

The report pack detailed a three-layered approach to reducing GRH, focusing on training frontline health professionals, clarifying screening and brief intervention processes, and establishing clear referral pathways for specialist support.

The discussion was also set to cover the UK Statutory Gambling Levy, a mandatory charge on licensed gambling operators designed to create a stable funding stream for research, prevention, and treatment. Derbyshire, as an Upper Tier Local Authority (UTLA), had been awarded approximately £159,000 for the 2026-27 year for prevention activities, with a consistent figure anticipated for the following year. This funding is to be used in accordance with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities' (OHID) five overarching strategic objectives, which include building local capacity, strengthening partnerships, embedding GRH prevention within local policy, increasing awareness and support, and focusing on populations at greatest risk.

Samuel Bostock and Greg Stenson were noted as key contacts for further information on the council's approach to reducing gambling-related harm.

Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider its draft work programme for the year 2026/27. This programme included several topics for discussion on specific dates.

On 1 September 2026, the agenda included receiving the findings of the Child Death Overview Panel Annual Report and Child Palliative Care, an update review of wheelchair services following the engagement of a new provider, an overview of work done to encourage healthy lifestyle options by Active Partners Trust, and an update on the Dementia Strategy.

For 17 November 2026, the committee was to receive the outcomes of a summer engagement topic from Healthwatch Derbyshire.

On 2 February 2027, planned discussions included a progress update on the Stroke Rehabilitation Service review and improvement programme, an update from Healthwatch Derbyshire on the future of their work, and a progress update on the implementation of the Food Plan for Derbyshire.

Additional items to be considered or confirmed included work by Healthwatch Derbyshire, the transfer of immunisations and vaccines to the Derby and Derbyshire ICB¹, Mental Health Crisis Support, Long COVID, and issues relating to asbestos.

Public Questions

The meeting was scheduled to include a 30-minute slot for public questions. Members of the public who were registered electors or council tax payers in Derbyshire were eligible to submit questions in advance to the Scrutiny Committee or council officers attending as witnesses. The procedure for submitting questions, including deadlines and scope, was outlined in the agenda.