WILTSHIRE councillor Keith Humphries says he is satisfied with the amount of money allocated for public health by the Government, despite the county being one of the lowest funded.

Of the 152 councils in England only ten have received less money than Wiltshire.

Councils take over running public health services in April from the NHS. The Government has allocated budgets to councils for the next two years, with more money for areas with the worst health outcomes.

In 2013/14 Wiltshire Council will receive £13.261m amounting to £28 per head of population, compared to the national average of £49. In 2014/15 the budget is £14.587m which is £30 per head, the national average is £51.

NHS Wiltshire's budget for public health this year is £11.671m.

Coun Humphries, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet member for public health, said: “Wiltshire is getting a ten per cent increase on funding for public health next year and the year after that. That is really good news. The budget is strictly ring fenced.”

  • Swindon Council has been allocated £7.891m for 2013/14, £37 per head of population, and £8.680m in 2014/15, £40 per head of population