The Northumberland Health and Well-being Board met to discuss the annual update of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on the 'Building Blocks of a Good Life' theme, and to review the 0-19 Growing Healthy Northumberland Summary Report. The board noted and commented on the progress against the actions within the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and received assurance that the 0-19 Growing Healthy Service delivers a high-quality service to children, young people, and families in Northumberland. The Board also reviewed its forward plan for the 2024/25 council year.

Building Blocks of a Good Life: Annual Update

Councillor Veronica Jones, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequalities, presented the annual update on the 'Building Blocks of a Good Life' theme within the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28. The report highlighted progress by system partners in addressing the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and how these conditions impact health and wellbeing. The Board was invited to note and comment on the progress.

The strategy focuses on three priority areas:

• Healthy housing and planning
• Inclusive economy
• Increasing equity in access to transport

Healthy Housing and Planning

The report emphasised the importance of good housing conditions for health and wellbeing, noting that housing deprivation and fuel poverty contribute significantly to inequalities in self-rated health, mental health, and life satisfaction.

Key activities include:

• Strengthening health considerations in planning: Northumberland County Council (NCC) is working to incorporate health impacts into the planning process through early discussions with developers, a healthy planning checklist, and Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) for major developments. A full HIA was reviewed for a new data centre proposed for construction at Cambois by QTS.
• Developing a Northumberland Design Code: This code will inform the design of the built and natural environment, with a priority on health, wellbeing, and care, including access to green spaces, social interaction, active travel, and extra care schemes.
• Improving existing housing: A new countywide housing strategy is under development, aiming to tackle inequalities in housing. The effectiveness of the current Northumberland Local Plan in delivering healthy and affordable housing is also being evaluated.
• Selective Licensing Scheme in Cowpen Quay: A new scheme in the Cowpen Quay area of Blyth, which came into effect on 14 October 2024, aims to address poor property standards, poor management by private landlords, and antisocial tenants. As part of the scheme, the NCC housing team have engaged with 89 applicants, inspected 45 properties, and issued 24 draft and 4 final licenses. 7 properties required improvements before a license could be issued.
• Hirst Masterplan: This is a long-term regeneration project in central Ashington, aiming to improve the area as a place to live and visit.
• Addressing Fuel Poverty: Initiatives are in place to support residents with energy bills, including free measures and boiler replacements. The Warmer Homes Coalition brings together partners to provide information, advice, and support. The Warmer Homes Team delivers grant-funded home energy efficiency upgrades.

Inclusive Economy

The report highlighted efforts to reduce inequalities through employment, focusing on getting people into work, increasing good quality work, and maximising social value.

Key activities include:

• Partnerships and Networks: Several partnerships and networks, such as the Northumberland Employment and Skills Partnership, convene organisations to support people in their employment journey.
• Multi-agency approach to health and work: Northumberland Skills, NCC Economic Development, SEND Education and Skills, Adult Social Care, Public Health, and the Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) are collaborating on programmes like Connect to Work and the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer.
• Community Hubs: These hubs provide opportunities for people with physical and/or learning differences to access volunteering and employment.
• Supported Internships: Education, SEND & Skills have worked to increase the number of Supported Internships in Northumberland.
• Solid Foundations Project: This project helps address barriers to employment, such as debt, mental health, and addiction, through coaching, guidance, and mentoring.
• Northumberland Skills Welding & Fabrication Training Centre: Opened in Spring 2023, this centre aims to address workforce challenges in manufacturing, engineering, construction, and energy sectors.
• Energy Central Learning Hub: Opened in Blyth in September 2024, this hub provides learning and skills provision for local businesses, particularly in the energy and renewable sectors.
• In Work Support Project: This project aims to understand the challenges businesses face in staff retention and progression.
• Citizens Advice Northumberland (CAN): CAN provides employment hubs in various locations, partnering with other organisations to operate satellite hubs.
• Northumberland Anchor Institution Network: The Northumberland County Partnership agreed to establish this network and develop a Local Employer Commitment to encourage employers to support the Partnership's mission.
• Cambois Data Centre Campus: This development is expected to create over 1,600 direct jobs and generate more than 2,700 indirect and induced jobs.

Increasing Equity in Access to Transport

The report addressed the importance of transport for accessing opportunities and incorporating physical activity into daily life, particularly in rural areas.

Key activities include:

• Contribution to the North East Local Transport Plan: The Northumberland Council Strategic Transport Team contributed to the development of the new plan, including input on plan themes and feedback.
• Development of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs): NCC has 12 draft LCWIPs for Northumberland’s main towns, with schemes prioritised based on effectiveness, policy, deliverability, and economic outcome.
• Community Conversations: Community conversations using the Place Standard Tool have been completed in various locations, with transport connectivity being a key area of discussion.
• Addressing transport barriers to healthcare appointments: Northumbria Healthcare Trust has commenced a quality improvement programme, including updating the Trust website with transport options, pre-appointment messaging, and piloting up-front payments of healthcare travel costs in maternity services.
• New walking and cycling routes: A new route opened in July 2024 connecting Ponteland to Callerton Park Metro. Active travel corridors are planned in Blyth and Ashington. A new route between Hexham and Corbridge will connect the two towns.
• Behaviour change schemes: Northumberland is working with Outspoken cycle training to deliver Bikeability cycle training.
• Modeshift Stars: Stannington Primary school has been engaging with Modeshift Stars to reduce traffic congestion and promote walking and cycling to school.
• Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP): This initiative, funded by the Department for Transport, aims to promote and increase bus use through fares initiatives and service enhancements.

Monitoring Indicators

The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy includes a suite of quantitative monitoring indicators relevant to the priority areas. Key indicators include:

• Percentage of households in fuel poverty
• Winter mortality index
• Adults in contact with secondary mental health services who live in stable and appropriate accommodation
• Total net affordable dwellings delivered
• Gap in employment rate between those with a mental long-term health condition and the overall employment rate
• Percentage of workless households
• Number of people currently economically inactive but want to work
• Employment rate (16-64)
• Percentage of adults walking for travel at least three days per week
• Percentage of adults cycling for travel at least three days per week
• Passenger journeys on local bus services per head

0-19 Growing Healthy Northumberland Summary Report

Ashley Iceton, Head of Public Health Nursing and Operations, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), presented the 0-19 Growing Healthy Northumberland Summary Report January 2024-2025. The report provided an update on the 0-19 Growing Healthy Service, which is delivered by HDFT, and assurance that the team delivers a high-quality, responsive, and effective service to the children, young people, and families (CYP&F) of Northumberland.

Key updates included:

• Changes to core mandated contacts to reflect Healthy Child Programme timescales.
• Continued development of infant feeding support by the Infant Feeding Team, including proactive calls and Feeding Friends Groups.
• Perinatal mental health training for Health Visitors and the reintroduction of the universal 3–4-month contact.
• Embedding ELIM to support the assessment of speech and language development.
• Co-creation of the 2-year Integrated review with Early Years partners.
• Participation in the Eyes on the Baby (EOTB) training.
• Development of SOPs for notification to local authority for section 23 arrangements, NCARD, and ENCHP advice requests for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Embedding a pathway that identifies families transferring into refuges in Northumberland.
• Reduction in waiting times within the Public Health pillar and the introduction of an evidenced-based bladder and bowel approach.
• Continued delivery of Relax Kids and Charge Up across Northumberland.
• Influence and lead of a 3-month Safeguarding Opt out pilot.

The report also highlighted innovations such as the Northumberland Housing Pathway and the Baby Boxes initiative, as well as key achievements and quality improvements, such as UNICEF validation, the emotional health and resilience interface meeting, and the recruitment of Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN’S).

Challenges and areas for improvement/development included estates and the Enhanced Parenting Pathway (EPP).

Health and Wellbeing Board – Forward Plan

The Committee reviewed its forward plan for the 2024/25 council year.