Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and did a round of introductions.

There was none.

To note any declarations of interest from councillors. They are asked to

indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular

whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of

interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

There was none.

The Chair briefly updated the Committee on actions from the previous meeting and noted that a briefing on Prevent would be arranged in due course.

On the motion of the Chair, seconded by Cllr Clarke, the Committee RESOLVED;

That the minutes of the previous meeting on 17^th January be approved as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair noted that the budget for 2025/26 had been approved at the last meeting of Full Council on 25^th February, and that outcomes were positive for this Committee. The initial proposals to cut the libraries budget would not go ahead, and the Committee would establish a Task & Finish Group to develop a new library strategy.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum. Public Forum items must relate to the remit of the committee and should be addressed to the Chair of the committee.

Members of the public who plan to attend a public meeting at City Hall are advised that you will be required to sign in when you arrive. Please note that you will be issued with a visitor pass which you will need to display at all times.

Please also note:

Questions

1.      Written public questions must be received by 5.00 pm, at least 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that questions must be received at the latest by 5.00 pm on Monday 10^th March 2025. Public Questions should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

2.      Any individual can submit up to 3 written questions.

3.      Written replies to questions will be available on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

4.      At the meeting, questioners will be permitted to ask up to 2 oral supplementary questions.

Statements

1.      Written statements must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that statements must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 12^th March 2025. Public Statements should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

2.      Statements, provided they are no more than 1,000 words in length, will be circulated to all committee members and will be published on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

Petitions

1.      Details of the wording of any petitions, and the number of signatories to petitions must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that petition details must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 12^th March 2025. Please email petition details to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.      At the meeting, individuals presenting petitions may be required to read out the objectives of the petition.

When submitting a question or statement please indicate whether you are planning to attend the meeting to present your statement ask your question

It was noted that the Committee had received 2 Public Forum questions and 14 Public Forum Statements.

Questions:

• Paul Wheeler was not in attendance, but the Chair advised the Committee that the Libraries Task & Finish Group would meet in private but would host some public engagement sessions alongside this, and would report back to Committee as work progresses.
• Katherine Jacob was not in attendance, but the Chair advised that he would meet with netball players to discuss their concerns, and reassured that alternative provision would be provided whilst the refurb took place.

Statements:

Individuals in attendance presented their statement. It was RESOLVED; That the Public Forum be noted.

To seek authority to invite Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to apply to Bristol Impact Fund 3 (BIF 3) One City Many Communities, which will invest a total of £8.8m grant funding over four years (£2.2m per annum) from 1^st April 2026 to the 31^st March 2030 to build city resilience by growing the power of communities experiencing the greatest inequity.

That the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee:

1.      Approved the approach to funding for Bristol Impact Fund 3: One City, Many Communities - a total grants fund of £8.8m over four years from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2030.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director for Adults and Communities and the Director for Public Health in consultation with the Chair of The Public Health and Communities Committee to take all steps required to invite VCSE organisations to apply to BIF 3 and to bring a further report relating to the allocation of medium and large grants to the PH&C Committee in November 2025 (TBC).

3.      Authorised the Executive Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Public Health in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee to award two rounds of small grants up to £200,000 over four years.

4.      Noted the learning from BIF 2 outlined in the interim evaluation report, which has informed the proposed approach to BIF 3.

5.      Noted the consultation report at Appendix F.

The Committee considered a report to seek authority to invite Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to apply to Bristol Impact Fund 3 (BIF 3) One City Many Communities.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

• Officers noted that the BIF 3 would invest a total of £8.8m grant funding over 4 years from 1^st April 2026 until 31^st March 2030.
• It was noted that BIF 3 had been shaped by ongoing learning and evaluation from the previous programmes, and that there had been ongoing engagement including 2 formal consultations.
• It was noted that if approved, the application process for large grants would open at the end of March with smaller grants commencing in the Autumn of 2025.
• Officers noted that the recommendations on the medium and large grants would be brought back to Committee in Autumn 2025.
• There was a discussion around the reach of the programme, particularly protected characteristic groups, and officers confirmed VCSE organisations were aware of the programme and that they would provide a series of briefings and press releases on the application process.
• There was a discussion around key lessons learned from previous programmes and officers advised that there was a particular focus on tackling hate crime this time around and would have a more proactive approach towards reaching those communities who face multiple barriers.

The Chair moved the recommendations as set out in the report. Cllr Clarke seconded the motion, and the Committee RESOLVED to;

1. Approve the approach to funding for Bristol Impact Fund 3: One City, Many Communities - a total grants fund of £8.8m over four years from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2030.
2. Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities and the Director for Public Health in consultation with the Chair of The Public Health and Communities Committee to take all steps required to invite VCSE organisations to apply to BIF 3 and to bring a further report relating to the allocation of medium and large grants to the PH&C Committee in November 2025 (TBC).
3. Authorise the Executive Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Public Health in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee to award two rounds of small grants up to £200,000 over four years.
4. Note the learning from BIF 2 outlined in the interim evaluation report, which has informed the proposed approach to BIF 3.
5.  Note the consultation report at Appendix F.

To brief the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee on performance against the BCC Business Plan as relevant to the remit of this Committee, for Q3 2024/25, and for Members to note areas of specific interest or concern with relevant Directors.

1.      That Public Health and Communities Policy Committee noted performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The Committee received an update report on performance against the BCC Business Plan as relevant to the remit of the Public Health & Communities Policy Committee for Quarter 3, 2024/25.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

• It was noted that 2 of the Business Plan actions were ‘behind schedule’ in relation to the impact of ash die back and the healthy weight programme, but both had plans in place to improve.
• It was noted that most measures within the Committee’s remit were ‘city outcomes’ which report annual data, some of which were drawn from the Quality of Life survey, and 5 of those measures had data available at quarter 3.
• It was noted that the number of households in the most deprived areas of the city using food banks had nearly doubled in the last year and Members were interested to hear more about the food equality action plan.
• Members raised concerns around high percentage of people whose day to day life was affected by fear of crime which was reported as 41% in the most deprived areas of the city, and asked for further information on the priority areas listed in the report. Officers noted that this work was being led by the Community Safety Partnership, and that colleagues could provide a briefing to update on this. Action.
• There was a discussion around life expectancy data for those living in the most deprived areas of Bristol and the impact of Covid-19. The life expectancy gap was often as a result of lifestyle behaviours such as diet, activity levels and smoking, but also some people were not accessing healthcare. Members were interested to explore this data further and suggested officers provide a briefing session. Action.
• There was a discussion around the suicide data and officers noted that a suicide prevention audit report would be available in the coming months.

It was RESOLVED that;

1. That Public Health and Communities Committee note performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40am.

The meeting reconvened at 11:00am.

This report is for information only to inform the Committee of the outcome of recent procurement exercises to identify providers of a new Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

That the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee noted the outcomes of the sexual health reprocurement processes to identify appropriate providers of ISHS. These new services are expected to launch on 1st April 2025. The providers of each of the three services are:

·       Digital sexual health service: SH:24 (a community interest company)

·       Clinical sexual health service: University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, with North Bristol NHS Trust and Brook Young People (a charity) as partners/sub-contractors

·       Health promotion, prevention and community engagement service: Brook Young People, with Brigstowe as a sub-contractor (both are charities)

The Committee received a report for information to inform of the outcome of recent procurement exercises to identify providers of a new Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

• Officers advised that 3 new contracts had been awarded in January 2025 for providers of health promotion services, digital sexual health services, and clinical sexual and reproductive health services.
• It was noted that the new services would go live on 1^st April 2025 and that Bristol City Council was the lead commissioner for the contract as it had responsibility for the largest budget.
• It was noted that the contract value was £6.5m per annum and that there had been a 4% increase on the previous contract value.
• Members highlighted the challenges around sexual health awareness, particularly for religious communities, and suggested a targeted approach to sexual health education.
• Officers advised that the new service model had been developed in response to a sexual health needs assessment but noted that the data did not show a breakdown by religion.
• Officers noted that small grants had been awarded to various charities and projects to address sexual health needs in those hard to reach communities, but welcomed Member engagement on expanding the outreach.
• Members raised concerns around the uptake for the HPV vaccine, which was lower in Bristol than the wider region.
• Members raised concerns around the impact of the change in abortion services which was commissioned separately by the NHS Integrated Care Board as part of a larger contract, but officers advised that they do not anticipate any change or reduction to services.
• There was a discussion around HIV services, and it was noted that PrEP medication was available and effective in reducing the risk of individuals getting HIV, but local data shows that uptake was lower for some minority groups. Officers noted that a health promotion campaign had been launched in the Southwest to address this.

The Committee RESOLVED;

That the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee note the outcomes of the sexual health reprocurement processes to identify appropriate providers of ISHS. These new services are expected to launch on 1st April 2025. The providers of each of the three services are:

• Digital sexual health service: SH:24 (a community interest company)
• Clinical sexual health service: University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, with North Bristol NHS Trust and Brook Young People (a charity) as partners/sub-contractors
• Health promotion, prevention and community engagement service: Brook Young People, with Brigstowe as a sub-contractor (both are charities)

To seek approval to invite community and voluntary sector organisations to apply for the Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Support Grant maintaining the current funding of £316,608 per annum, a total of £1,266,432 over four years from 1^st April 2026 to 31^st March 2030 with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

That the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee:

Contractual:

1.      Authorised the Executive Director of Adults and Communities in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee to:

a.      invite applications for the VCSE Sector Infrastructure Support Grant of £316,608 p.a. a total of £1,266,432 over four years from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2030

b.      award the grants in-line with the maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

c.       extend the funding agreement by a further 12 months making the total programme five years to 31st March 2031 at an additional cost of £316,608.

The Committee considered a report to seek approval to invite community and voluntary sector organisations to apply for the Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Support Grant maintaining the current funding of £316,608 per annum, a total of £1,266,432 over four years from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2030 with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

• It was noted that the purpose of the grant was to provide strategic and independent support to VCSE organisations including training, financial and legal advice, and leadership development, in order to strengthen the sector’s infrastructure and support in responding to ongoing challenges like poverty, inequality and climate change.
• It was noted that the team had already engaged with the VCSE sector and had worked closely with organisations in shaping the offer.
• Officers had also engaged with other core cities on best practice, which found that Bristol offered a higher level of investment in comparison.
• It was noted that the support grant was part of a wider strategy which built on other investments like the Bristol Impact Fund (BIF).

The Chair moved the recommendations as set out in the report. Cllr Clarke seconded the motion, and it was RESOLVED;

That the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee:

Contractual:

1. Authorise the Executive Director of Adults and Communities in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee to:

1. invite applications for the VCSE Sector Infrastructure Support Grant of £316,608 p.a. a total of £1,266,432 over four years from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2030
2. award the grants in-line with the maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.
3. extend the funding agreement by a further 12 months making the total programme five years to 31st March 2031 at an additional cost of £316,608.