The Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday 28 July 2026 was set to discuss the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026-27 and the development of the Gloucestershire Healthy Weight Strategy. The meeting also included updates on current issues and a strategic priority concerning health and housing.

Better Care Fund Plan 2026-27

A key item on the agenda was the final approval of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan for 2026-27. The BCF is a national initiative involving NHS England, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Local Government Association. The report pack indicated that the plan for Gloucestershire had been circulated in May 2026 for comments prior to its submission. It was noted that there were minimal changes to the submission this year due to upcoming reforms and changes related to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The plan outlined a reduction in the number of schemes from 53 to 34 for categorisation purposes, with few changes to overall funding. Local goals for metrics were focused on stabilisation and reduction ahead of BCF reform and service redesign. Gloucestershire's commitment to integrated working to support strategic priorities for neighbourhood health was highlighted.

The BCF is described as a key enabler of integrated health and care, aligning with Gloucestershire's strategic priorities for prevention, early intervention, and community-based support. Investment is aligned with the Neighbourhood Health model, supporting Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs). Funding priorities included domiciliary care, reablement, community healthcare, palliative care, carers' support, and Home from Hospital services. The principle of Home First was emphasised, aiming to help people recover and remain independent at home, thereby reducing avoidable hospital admissions and reliance on long-term care.

Specific goals for non-elective admissions (NEAs) for people aged 65 and over were set to focus on stabilisation and reduction, aiming to decrease NEAs from 1,470 to 1,454 per 100,000 population, despite an ageing population and more complex care needs. Targets were also set for improving discharge performance, increasing discharges on the ready date and reducing average discharge delays. The expansion of reablement services was planned to increase capacity significantly by 2030.

The report pack detailed how Gloucestershire utilises a population health analysis approach to identify priority groups and target investment for maximum impact on outcomes and demand reduction. The highest forecasted growth was anticipated in people with complex health needs, with older people living with frailty identified as a key priority cohort. The BCF funding was intended to support integrated, community-based services to promote independence, prevent hospital admissions, improve discharge processes, and reduce long-term care needs.

Value for money and productivity were to be assured through a demand-led planning process, targeting services that prevent ill-health and promote independence. Benefits Realisation Modelling was intended to drive efficient resource use, and integrated working and pooled budgets through Gloucestershire's Working as One programme were aimed at improving coordination and reducing duplication. Performance benchmarking against national and peer authorities was also part of the approach.

Governance and oversight were to be led by the Gloucestershire Commissioning Partnership Group (GCPG), with overall accountability resting with the Health and Wellbeing Board. Section 75 pooled budget arrangements were to provide financial oversight, and performance would be monitored through key indicators such as emergency admissions and discharge delays.

Development of the Healthy Weight Strategy 2026-2036

The meeting was also scheduled to provide an update on the development of the Gloucestershire Healthy Weight Strategy (2026-2036), which supports the Healthy Lifestyle priority within the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Board was asked to endorse the strategy, champion healthy weight as a system priority, support alignment across partner strategies, and provide oversight.

The strategy acknowledges that many root causes of unhealthy weight extend beyond local boundaries, influenced by national and global pressures. It aims to address weight-related inequalities, noting that nearly 3 in 10 Year 6 children in the most deprived areas live with obesity, a rate twice as high as in the least deprived communities. Around 1 in 4 adults in Gloucestershire were reported to live with obesity, and nearly 3 in 10 pupils in the most deprived areas reported skipping meals due to food insecurity. Certain groups, including people with disabilities, severe mental illness, long-term conditions, and some ethnic communities, face additional risks. The strategy also highlighted that urban areas in Gloucestershire have the highest concentration of fast-food outlets.

The vision for the strategy is for Gloucestershire to be a place where every resident has the opportunity to maintain a healthy weight. The mission is to shape environments where healthy choices are the easy choice, challenge weight stigma, and act on the social and economic drivers of obesity. Key principles include recognising that unhealthy weight is driven by wider inequalities, focusing on early intervention, addressing root causes, reducing stigma, and prioritising overall health and wellbeing. The strategy is built around five pillars for action: healthier places and settings; more children and adults moving; more children and adults eating a healthier diet; person-centred support for health and weight; and embracing system-wide approaches.

The strategy outlines a 10-year implementation plan, with pillar leads overseeing delivery. Key enablers for the strategy's success include strong leadership and governance, the involvement of the voluntary and community sector, a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion, the use of data and intelligence, research and evaluation, workforce development, and maximising social value. The Board was asked to endorse the strategy, champion healthy weight, support alignment across partner strategies, and provide oversight.

Chair's Updates and Health and Housing

The meeting was also scheduled to include Chair's Updates, which were expected to cover current issues, including the recent announcement of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decision for Gloucestershire. Additionally, an update was planned on the 'health and housing' strategic priority, which is included within the Gloucestershire Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The agenda also listed items for noting apologies for absence, the appointment of a Vice Chair, declarations of interest, and the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting. Provisions were also made for public and member questions.