The Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) of Northumberland Council is scheduled to consider a draft Public Mental Health Strategy and a report on the redevelopment of Foundry House for complex care services.

Draft Public Mental Health Strategy

The committee is expected to receive an outline of the draft Public Mental Health Strategy, which aims to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing across the population of Northumberland. The strategy focuses on promoting well-being, preventing mental illness, early intervention, supporting recovery, and reducing inequalities for adults aged 18 and over. It is noted that areas such as suicide prevention, child and young person's mental health, drug and alcohol harm, domestic abuse, autism, neurodiversity, and clinical mental health conditions are out of scope for this particular strategy.

The report pack indicates that engagement with residents has been conducted to inform the strategy's development. This included a survey of 126 individuals, 31 conversations with working-age and older adults facilitated by Healthwatch, and engagement with specific groups such as adults with autism, those with multiple and complex needs, rural and farming communities, veterans, and core and priority groups. Data presented suggests that while Northumberland's prevalence of common mental health disorders is slightly lower than the England average, resident surveys indicate lower life satisfaction and general happiness, and higher anxiety levels compared to national trends. Emergency hospital admissions for intentional self-harm are also higher than the England average.

The draft strategy outlines three objectives:

• Prevention: Promoting population well-being, reducing risk factors, building protective factors, and addressing wider determinants of mental health. Priorities include strengthening mental health literacy, promoting universal well-being activities, improving access to preventative support, and enhancing data use for early detection.
• Early Intervention: Ensuring timely, appropriate, and effective support for mental health and emotional wellbeing. Priorities include improving access points for help, developing targeted interventions for high-need groups, embedding creative health as an early intervention model, and enhancing outreach.
• Resilient and Connected Communities: Building social capital, belonging, and community-led solutions. Priorities include strengthening community networks and peer support, enabling communities to define their own priorities, improving inclusivity, and promoting recovery and meaningful participation.

The committee will have an opportunity to share comments and feedback on the draft strategy and discuss how members wish to be kept informed of progress once the strategy and its delivery plan are published. The report pack indicates that the strategy is scheduled for publication in May 2026, with the development of a delivery plan to follow.

Foundry House Redevelopment for Complex Care Services

The committee is also asked to note the contents of a report concerning the redevelopment of the council-owned Foundry House site in Bedlington. This site is proposed to be redeveloped to accommodate a 36-bed specialist residential care facility for individuals with complex dementias and associated behaviours. Alongside this, there is a proposal for the development of semi-independent dementia and complex care bungalows through the Homes England Affordable Homes programme.

The report details that Cabinet previously approved these proposals on 10 February 2026. The redevelopment aims to address difficulties in finding suitable services for people with complex dementia and associated behaviours, with a significant number of residents currently placed out of county. The council aims to deliver a high-quality service at a consistent and predictable price, contrasting with current issues experienced with some external care home provisions. The report highlights that the council would forego a capital receipt from the sale of the site in favour of this development.

The proposed facility would be registered as Residential Care with Nursing. Discussions have been held with the mental health trust, CNTW, regarding the potential for deploying nurses to the facility. The development of up to 21 bungalows is also being investigated, which could be developed by a registered housing provider with potential subsidy through the affordable homes programme. The report estimates a capital cost of £12.76 million for the complex care facility, with an anticipated operational date of Summer 2028. The procurement exercise, detailed design, and planning approval are projected to take place in 2026, with construction beginning in early 2027. The report also notes that Foundry House is expected to be used as a temporary education facility, but this is not anticipated to affect the development timeline.

The report outlines that the cost of providing 36 beds at Foundry House is projected to be £1.145 million less per annum than purchasing equivalent beds in the independent sector. The council's Corporate Plan priority of Tackling Inequalities is linked to this scheme, as it will support vulnerable people with complex disabilities and dementias and address the inequality of accessing complex care provision within the county. The report also details financial, legal, procurement, human resources, and property implications, as well as an Integrated Impact Assessment which suggests a net positive outcome for protected characteristics, particularly age and disability.

The committee will also consider any urgent business and the date of the next meeting.