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

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on gambling-related harms, focusing on the findings, funding, and a new prevention programme. The report highlighted that gambling-related harm is a significant public health issue, with the most socio-economically deprived groups experiencing the highest levels of harmful gambling despite lower participation rates. The emergence of online gambling has been linked to an increase in harms, and the issue is often hidden and stigmatised. The report also noted concerns about the link between gaming and gambling in children and young people.

Derbyshire has been undertaking work in this area, including providing accredited training for frontline professionals, routine screening in non-specialist settings, and supporting the mobilisation of a specialist NHS Gambling Harms Clinic in Derby. The council has also been involved in refreshing gambling licensing policies and has included gambling-related harms in the Derby and Derbyshire Suicide Strategic Framework.

A three-layered approach to reducing gambling-related harm was outlined, focusing on training health professionals, clarifying screening and brief intervention processes, and establishing clear referral pathways for specialist support. The report also detailed 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), has been allocated approximately £159,000 for the 2026-27 year for prevention activities, with unspent funds to be returned to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). OHID's five overarching strategic objectives for gambling harms prevention were also presented, including building local capacity, strengthening partnerships, embedding prevention within local policy, increasing awareness and support, and focusing on populations at greatest risk.

Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft work programme for the year 2026/27. This programme included several topics for future discussion, such as the Child Death Overview Panel Annual Report and Child Palliative Care, an update on wheelchair services, an overview of work to encourage healthy lifestyles by Active Partners Trust, and an update on the Dementia Strategy. Further items for consideration included outcomes from Healthwatch Derbyshire's summer engagement, progress on the Stroke Rehabilitation Service review, the future of Healthwatch's work, and an update on the implementation of the Food Plan for Derbyshire. Other potential topics included the transfer of immunisations and vaccines to the ICB, Mental Health Crisis Support, Long COVID, and issues relating to asbestos.

Public Questions

A dedicated period of up to 30 minutes was allocated for public questions. Members of the public who are registered electors or council taxpayers in Derbyshire were eligible to submit questions in advance to the committee or attending council officers on any matter within the scope of the committee's responsibilities. The procedure for submitting questions, including deadlines and scope limitations, was outlined.

The meeting was scheduled to be held at County Hall, Matlock, and was chaired by Councillor David Harvey, Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee. Juliette Normington, Senior Democratic Services Officer, was the contact for further information.