The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, with a public session commencing at 1:45 pm. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the Better Care Fund, tobacco control pledges, and the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people.

Better Care Fund 2025-26 End of Year Return and 2026-27 Plan

The Board is set to consider the Better Care Fund (BCF) for the 2025-26 financial year, reviewing the end-of-year return and the plan for 2026-27. The Better Care Fund is a national programme that requires Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities to pool budgets and agree joint plans for integrating health and social care services. The Health and Wellbeing Board has a statutory duty to approve these plans for its area. The report details that performance against the three national BCF metrics for 2025-26 was strong, with all goals met or exceeded. The 2026-27 plan marks the first year of national BCF reform, with updated guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care published in February 2026. Key changes to the BCF framework are outlined, and it is noted that the BCF will become part of Neighbourhood Plans as set out by the NHS 10 Year plan. The Board is being asked to formally approve both the end-of-year return and the 2026-27 plan.

Signing up to the Local Government Declaration and Smoke Free Pledge on Tobacco Control

A report is scheduled for discussion regarding the City of London Corporation signing up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control and the Smoke Free Pledge. Tobacco smoking is identified as the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in England, and a primary driver of health inequalities. The Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control is a public commitment aligned with the government's Smokefree 2030 ambition, committing local authorities to seven principles for effective tobacco control. The Smoke Free Pledge shares a similar aim of a UK free from tobacco harm, where children grow up free from addiction and support to quit is available in every community. The primary benefit of the Corporation signing these commitments is to provide a mandate for enhanced collaboration between partners through the City and Hackney Tobacco Control Alliance (TCA) and to strengthen the Corporation's leadership role in encouraging other local partners towards a smokefree 2030. The report notes that over 130 authorities, including Hackney Council, have already adopted the Declaration. The Health and Wellbeing Board is being asked to endorse the Declaration and Pledge for onward approval and signing by the Town Clerk and Chief Executive, the Policy Chairman, and the Director of Public Health.

Committing to Collective Action: A Vision and Proposal for Improving Population Health, Prevention and Health Equity in City and Hackney

This item, a joint report from the City and Hackney Director of Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer of Homerton NHS Trust, is scheduled for discussion. The report outlines a vision and proposal for improving population health, prevention, and health equity within City and Hackney. It highlights the long tradition of preventative and health inequalities-focused work in the area and proposes the creation of a dedicated, cross-partnership 'Institute for Change' (IfC). This institute would build on existing joint working by integrating and scaling up enabling functions crucial for systemic population health improvement. The proposal suggests that the IfC would report into and be accountable to the City & Hackney Population Health and Health Inequalities Strategic Partnership (PHHISP) and the City and Hackney Place-based Partnership. The report identifies skills and resource gaps, such as in behaviour change science and innovation, and suggests these could be filled through secondments or sustainable funding for recruitment. The transition from a Hub to an Institute signifies an increased ambition to embed population health, prevention, and equity across all partnership organisations.

Health Inequalities in Portsoken

A report summarising key data on the population characteristics and health outcomes relevant to the Portsoken ward in the east of the City is scheduled for discussion. This ward, which includes the Middlesex Street and Mansell Street estates, is noted for its young and diverse resident population, but also for relative deprivation and historically poorer health outcomes. The report will also include a summary of community insights gathered to provide context to the health and wellbeing needs of the local resident population. Several community-focused projects and programmes are underway in Portsoken, aiming to deepen understanding and build trusted relationships with the local population to collectively address health outcomes. The Board is asked to note the report, support the continuation of these projects, and endorse proposals to receive further reports in the autumn to consider specific recommendations.

Children and Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing

This discussion item will focus on the Children and Young People's Mental Health Needs Assessment, completed in 2025, and the ongoing development of a new Emotional Health and Wellbeing strategy and action plan for City of London and Hackney for 2027 to 2032. The needs assessment identified an increase in mental health needs among children and young people, with variations based on age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors. It also highlighted a diverse range of local mental health services, including school-based support, CAMHS Alliance services, and voluntary sector provision. The report details 22 recommendations grouped into five themes: reducing inequalities and improving community working, enhancing communication and information, developing flexible needs-based approaches, recommendations for schools, and further investigation. The Board is asked to consider the findings and recommendations of the needs assessment, comment on proposed City-specific actions, provide input on the draft strategy and action plan, and indicate if they wish to review the final strategy.

ELFT's Adult Mental Health Arrangements & Offer

The Board is set to receive a report for information detailing the East London Foundation Trust's (ELFT) plans for updating its service model and arrangements for adult mental health support. The report highlights national and local drivers for change, the current number of City residents supported by ELFT, and the proposed updated service arrangements. The current model has been characterised by neighbourhood footprints but has faced challenges with service fragmentation, responsiveness, continuity of care, and disparities in access, experiences, and outcomes. The updated model aims to be more integrated, simpler, and responsive, with a focus on delivering more care closer to home. The Board is asked to provide feedback on these proposed changes.

Next Steps in Partnership Development for City and Hackney

This report, from the City & Hackney Place-based Partnership, is for information and will discuss the evolution of the partnership's governance. It notes that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) is transitioning to a strategic commissioning organisation, meaning health commissioning will no longer be at a place level. Places will focus on delivery, with an emphasis on Neighbourhoods and the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans. The report outlines a 12-month partnership development plan focusing on vision and outcomes, building trust, governance, partnership functions, resident representation, and financial flows. The Board is asked to note these changes, consider the wider implications for health systems, and discuss how the Health and Wellbeing Board can fit within the revised partnership governance.

Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan 2026-27

This report, for decision by the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and for information by the Health and Wellbeing Board, presents the Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan for 2026-27. The plan details how the service will deliver regulatory controls for food safety, occupational health and safety, and public health controls arising from commercial activities, adhering to national Codes of Practice. The Commercial Environmental Health Team will continue to prioritise high-risk establishments and deliver planned interventions, including those for new premises and food standards. The report notes an increasing number of food businesses and a churn rate of over 20%, impacting the intervention burden. The plan also outlines the team's commitment to promoting workplace health and wellbeing and developing Primary Authority Partnerships.

Port Health Food Enforcement Service Plan 2026-27

Also for decision by the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and for information by the Health and Wellbeing Board, this report presents the Port Health Service Food Enforcement Service Plan for 2026-27. The London Port Health Authority (LPHA) oversees public, environmental, and animal health controls along the River Thames and at several major ports. The plan details the service's aims and objectives, focusing on imported food and animal feed safety, and compliance with UK legislation. It highlights the significant increase in workload due to growth in trade and the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which categorises commodities by risk level and prescribes checks. The report also discusses the dynamic realignment with the EU and its potential implications for SPS controls. The LPHA will continue to meet its obligations to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) through risk-based interventions and collaboration with other authorities.

Healthwatch City of London Progress Report

This report from Healthwatch City of London is for information and details the organisation's work from January to May 2026. It covers ongoing engagement with residents, including specific projects in the Portsoken area focusing on health literacy and addressing health inequalities. The report also touches upon the future of Healthwatch, noting potential legislative changes that could abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, and outlines Healthwatch City of London's exploration of alternative functions. Activities include patient panels, scrutiny of adult social care, and Enter & View visits to services like St Leonard's Physiotherapy Department. The report also details communications and engagement efforts, including events and upcoming patient panels.

Next Steps in Partnership Development for City and Hackney

This report from the City & Hackney Place-based Partnership is for information and discusses the evolution of the partnership's governance. It notes that the ICB is transitioning to a strategic commissioning organisation, meaning health commissioning will no longer be at a place level. Places will focus on delivery, with an emphasis on Neighbourhoods and the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans. The report outlines a 12-month partnership development plan focusing on vision and outcomes, building trust, governance, partnership functions, resident representation, and financial flows. The Board is asked to note these changes, consider the wider implications for health systems, and discuss how the Health and Wellbeing Board can fit within the revised partnership governance.

Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan 2026-27

This report, for decision by the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and for information by the Health and Wellbeing Board, presents the Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan for 2026-27. The plan details how the service will deliver regulatory controls for food safety, occupational health and safety, and public health controls arising from commercial activities, adhering to national Codes of Practice. The Commercial Environmental Health Team will continue to prioritise high-risk establishments and deliver planned interventions, including those for new premises and food standards. The report notes an increasing number of food businesses and a churn rate of over 20%, impacting the intervention burden. The plan also outlines the team's commitment to promoting workplace health and wellbeing and developing Primary Authority Partnerships.

Port Health Food Enforcement Service Plan 2026-27

Also for decision by the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and for information by the Health and Wellbeing Board, this report presents the Port Health Service Food Enforcement Service Plan for 2026-27. The London Port Health Authority (LPHA) oversees public, environmental, and animal health controls along the River Thames and at several major ports. The plan details the service's aims and objectives, focusing on imported food and animal feed safety, and compliance with UK legislation. It highlights the significant increase in workload due to growth in trade and the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which categorises commodities by risk level and prescribes checks. The report also discusses the dynamic realignment with the EU and its potential implications for SPS controls. The LPHA will continue to meet its obligations to the FSA through risk-based interventions and collaboration with other authorities.