The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to discuss the annual report of the Board, the Director of Public Health's quarterly report, and the Better Care Fund. The Board also reviewed plans for promoting physical activity in Lambeth and the Strategic Investment Fund.

Annual Report of the Health and Wellbeing Board

The Board reviewed its Annual Report for 2025/26, which detailed the Board's activities and progress against its strategic priorities. The report highlighted the Board's work in ensuring the best start in life, supporting people to lead healthy lives, and fostering resilient communities. The Board approved the report for submission to the full Council.

Director of Public Health Quarterly Report

Ruth Hutt, Director of Public Health, presented her quarterly report, which covered activities from April to June 2026. Key highlights included Lambeth joining the UK Network of Age-Friendly Communities, receiving a Leadership Award for its work on healthy food and food poverty, and the London HIV Prevention Programme receiving recognition. The report also detailed ongoing work in health improvement, including initiatives related to food, healthy weight, physical activity, and gambling harm prevention. The Board noted the report.

Better Care Fund (BCF) End of Year Reporting 2025/26 and Plan for 2026/27

The Board reviewed the end-of-year report for the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025/26 and the plan for 2026/27. The BCF, which pools budgets from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and local government, aims to improve integrated health and social care services. The report indicated that Lambeth had met its goals for reducing emergency hospital admissions for older people and preventing long-term care home admissions in 2025/26. However, there were challenges with timely hospital discharges. The plan for 2026/27 focuses on shifting activity from hospitals to primary and community services, neighbourhood health and care, prevention, and supporting timely discharge. The Board reviewed and agreed both the end-of-year report and the plan for 2026/27.

Promoting Physical Activity in Lambeth

The Board received an update on initiatives to promote physical activity across Lambeth. The report highlighted the significant health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity, as well as its role in addressing wider social challenges such as youth engagement, inequality, and community connection. Lambeth Public Health has collaborated with various partners to deliver programmes such as healthy weight initiatives, the Physical Activity and Referral Programme for chronic pain and cancer patients, and the Exercise and Socialise Programme for older adults. The Lambeth Can Move Programme, a partnership with London Sport and Sport England, aims to address inequalities in physical activity. The Board noted the report, recognising the importance of physical activity in promoting health and wellbeing and tackling health inequalities.

Strategic Investment Fund

The Board was updated on proposals for the South East London ICB's Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). This fund supports core prevention interventions in the Streatham and Norwood neighbourhoods and proactive identification of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic (CVRM) risk factors across the borough. The proposal outlines an evidence-based approach to reduce inequalities, reach underserved communities, and connect people with existing services. The Core Prevention SIF includes workstreams on physical activity, healthy eating, and family-based healthy weight programmes. The CVRM component will enhance the NHS Health Check model and pilot a targeted pharmacy project. The Board noted the proposals.

The meeting concluded with the Board agreeing to note the reports and proposals presented. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 17 September.