Public Health

This award is open to a single council or where appropriate a partnership of councils, or a council-owned company. Private sector partners can enter on a council’s behalf, with the permission of the council itself.

Local government’s role in public health presents a major opportunity for councils and their partners to protect and improve the health of their local communities. Key to delivering this is the development of evidence-based solutions to reduce health inequalities, lessen premature deaths and improve health and wellbeing. Marshalling the full scope of a council’s remit in support of these objectives is crucial. This award is intended to recognise the councils that are making the most of their role in public health.

Submissions should focus on:  

• Setting out the public health priorities the council has adopted and the reasons for doing so;
• How you are using evidence to develop effective strategies;
• How public health is being integrated across the council;
• How the function relates to partner organisations;
• Evidence of public health achievements relating to action taken since the transfer to local government.

Award entries will be judged on:

• The extent to which you have implemented evidence-based solutions to public health problems;
• How cross-departmental and partnership working is used to inform decision-making and delivery;
• How you are overcoming barriers to implementation;
• Evidence of the impact of the transfer of the public health function to local government;
• Action to address the wider determinants of health.