NORTHUMBERLAND County Council has approved the allocation of funding to help reduce inequalities across the county and address issues around poverty. 

Cabinet members agreed on proposals for a total of 13 projects costing £2,543,000. These ranged from £1,500 to £1 million in individual cost.  

Supported bids with the highest cost were for:  

  • Poverty (£1 million);  
  • Progressing to full consultation for a selective licensing scheme for privately rented homes (£710,000);  
  • NHS Health Checks programme redesign (£300,000);  
  • Children and Young People’s Emotional & Mental Health Support (£210,000);  
  • and the evaluation of integration of services for children, young people and families in Northumberland (£150,000).  

Four proposals of relatively low value individually (£23,000 in total) were also approved as ‘business as usual’. 

Northumberland County Council receives a public health grant from the Department of Health and Social Care. There are conditions for the use of this grant, which is ringfenced for use on public health functions. If at the end of the financial year there is any underspend, local authorities may carry these over, as part of a public health grant reserve, into the next financial year. 

County councillor Wendy Pattison, cabinet member for Adult Wellbeing, said: “Depending where you live in Northumberland, there is a variation in life expectancy and residents are dying significantly earlier than people in some of our wealthier areas and spending longer living in poor health.    

“Improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities are key priorities for us and we know that many of the solutions can be found within our communities themselves. 

“Evidence tells us that health inequalities are largely preventable. Not only is there a strong moral argument for addressing health inequalities, there’s also an economic case driven by higher use of health and social care services, higher unemployment, lower productivity and tax losses.

“We are working hard to address issues around poverty, and together with partners have developed an inequalities plan. Tackling inequalities is a key priority for the council and we are seeking out every opportunity to identify funding we can use.”