The Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) meeting was scheduled to cover a range of important topics, including an update on safeguarding efforts, the provision of dentistry services, and the progress of the Heart of Blyth project. The committee was also set to review its work programme and forward plan.

Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership - Annual Report (October 2024 - April 2025)

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress, achievements, and challenges of the Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP) for the period of October 2024 to April 2025. This report serves as a supplement to the previous annual report and aims to provide assurance on safeguarding effectiveness, in line with statutory guidance such as Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and The Care Act 2014. The report was intended to guide strategic planning for the upcoming reporting period.

Dentistry in Northumberland

Colleagues from the NHS were scheduled to attend the meeting to provide an overview of the current dentistry provision within Northumberland.

Heart of Blyth Project

A summary of the delivery of the Heart of Blyth project was scheduled to be presented to the committee. This project, part of the Shaping Places for Healthier Lives programme, aimed to understand how local authorities could apply a systems approach to address public health challenges, focusing on social, economic, and environmental factors influencing health. The project engaged with residents and community partners to understand local needs and aspirations, with a vision to create a safer, stronger, and more connected community. The presentation was expected to cover what was delivered, who benefitted, what went well, and how learning from the project is being embedded and sustained.

Reports of the Scrutiny Officer

Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to note the latest Forward Plan of key decisions. Any further changes to this plan were to be reported at the meeting.

Health and Wellbeing OSC Work Programme

The committee was set to consider the work programme and monitoring report for the Health and Wellbeing OSC for the 2025/26 council year.

The next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing OSC was scheduled for 3 March 2026.