A compromise to take some of the politics out of public health decisions has been recommended by a City of Ottawa committee.

Rulings about policies such as the city's needle exchange and former crack pipe programs are currently made by city council, but would be turned over to a nine-member health board under the plan approved Thursday by the community and protective services committee.

Five of the board members would be city councillors, while four others would be people who either have medical training or have worked in the medical field.

The plan must still be approved by full city council.

Originally, a staff report recommended that the board have more medical professionals than councillors.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Georges Bédard, who sits on the committee, said the compromise was not his first choice because it puts councillors in the majority, even though the goal of the board was to ensure decisions were made on the basis of "scientific evidence and not simply political manoeuvring."

However, he said, at least the compromise has been accepted.

The committee is recommending that board members be appointed by city council in its first year. In subsequent years, the board itself would appoint at least some new members.

The City of Toronto has a similar board.

The City of Ottawa has faced conflicts in the past with its medical officer of health over issues such as the crack pipe program.

The city's former medical officer of health, Dr. David Salisbury, said scientific evidence showed providing free clean crack pipes to addicts reduced the transmission of HIV and hepatitis. Nevertheless, city council chose to stop funding the crack pipe program in 2007.