Agenda item

Report of the Acting Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Board received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and were informed that on 12 November 2012 the Substance Misuse Team moved from the Town Clerk’s Department to the People Directorate within DCCS. From April 2013 substance misuse forms part of the Public Health responsibility of local authorities and would therefore be adopted by the City of London Corporation.

Members were informed that during 2012/13 the Substance Misuse Partnership (SMP) received approximately £369,000 in funding via the Primary Care Trust and the Home Office, plus an additional £29,000 from the Safer City Partnership. Funding streams have changed under the new arrangements and the majority of funding has been incorporated into the Public Health allocation.

In response to a query from Members, Officers said that a review of substance misuse services would be undertaken during 2013/14 in partnership with Hackney Borough Council. The 2013/14 business plan had therefore been formulated based on a maintained level of funding for the transitional year.

Members of the Board queried whether people held in custody suites whose drug use equipment was taken off them upon arrest were given clean equipment such as needles on being released by the Police. Officers said although this practice was not currently taking place it was being investigated.

RESOLVED:

1.     Members noted the report and business plan for 2013/14; and

2.      Agreed the business planning objectives.