Member

Amendment 163 highlights the importance of communities being able to meaningfully shape local decisions that impact their health and well-being. This Government recognise the importance of ensuring that local decisions reflect the needs of communities and support better health outcomes. The definition of “general health determinants” already includes matters of personal behaviour and lifestyle and explicitly allows for consideration of any other matters that affect life expectancy or the general state of health. Furthermore, the Bill already introduces a new requirement on all local authorities to make appropriate arrangements for effective governance of any neighbourhood area under Clause 60. This provision will strengthen the ability of local people to shape decisions made by their local authorities. Adding Amendment 163 to the Bill would risk duplication between the duties of local and combined authorities. This ambiguity would make it harder for local authorities to engage coherently with their communities on the issues that matter to them.