Andrea Hutchinson, Senior Public Health Analyst, gave a brief presentation of the key messages that were contained within the Wirral West Constituency Profile. It highlighted some of the key issues that had been identified by the research undertaken and the information was presented on a ward by ward basis, with comparison data also provided for the other Wirral constituencies.

In relation to deprivation, the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 ranked Wirral as being in the most deprived 20% of local authorities nationally. The inequality in disability-free life expectancy was the largest in England in 2012 (20 years for men and 17 years for women). However, the vast majority of the LSAO’s (small areas, populations around 1500 people) in Wirral West constituency fell within the 20% least deprived areas of Wirral.

In relation to Wirral West, the presentation highlighted key items of note in the comparison data in relation to age, ethnicity, life expectancy, early years and benefits claims. With regard to Young People, it indicated that a small proportion (4.5%) was not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), that educational attainment (at key stage 2) was above the Wirral average for all subjects and that the rate of teenage conceptions was below the Wirral average. With regard to older people, the data indicated that although Wirral West had a large ageing population, it had the lowest rate of hospital admissions due to falls (for age 65+). A third of people aged 65+ lived alone and the Census 2011 indicated the lowest number of carers known to Social Services (1234) against approximately 40,000 in Wirral overall.

The Constituency Manager indicated that the information would feed into the Constituency Plan. Members noted that the data would be very useful in helping the Committee come to a view as to where resources should be targeted and specifically, where public health funding should be allocated. Members commented that the data seemed to indicate that although there were pockets of deprivation across the Constituency, Upton Ward was in greater need of targeted public health spending than other areas.

However, Members commented also that if the allocation of resources was based solely on indicators of deprivation Wirral West would lose out to other constituencies. In addition, the allocation of resources based solely on deprivation might not address more complex issues of isolation and exclusion.

In response to a question from a Member in relation to the voting rights of Community Representatives, the Council’s legal advisor indicated that only elected Members of the Council had the right in law to vote on financial matters and upon the allocation of funding.

It was moved by Councillor Patrick and seconded by Councillor Sullivan –

“That the additional £25k in the public health budget be allocated, on the basis of population, need and deprivation, as highlighted in the Constituency Profile report and presentation.”

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Hale and seconded by Councillor Ellis –

“(1) That the original allocation of £25k public health funding go forward, on the basis of £5k per ward, as previously agreed.

(2) That the additional £25k public health funding be held back, so as to allow the Committee to consider bids for funding received from across all five wards and for resources to be allocated based on the greatest need.”

The amendment was put and carried (7:6)

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and carried (7:6) and it was–

Resolved (7:6) –

(1)  That the original allocation of £25k public health funding go forward, on the basis of £5k per ward, as previously agreed.

(2)  That the additional £25k public health funding be held back, so as to allow the Committee to consider bids for funding received from across all five wards and for resources to be allocated based on the greatest need.