The Joint Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss progress on smoking cessation and tobacco control, as well as the evolving role of Health and Wellbeing Boards in shaping neighbourhood health. The meeting also included an update on the Better Care Fund.

Ambition 2: Smoking Cessation and Tobacco Control

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on progress made under Ambition 2 of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which focuses on improving wellbeing and preventing ill-health. This discussion was set to specifically address smoking cessation, tobacco control, and the harms associated with vaping across Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. The report pack highlighted that smoking remains a leading cause of preventable illness and premature death, contributing to over 2,000 smoking-related hospital admissions annually in the two boroughs. While overall smoking rates have declined, they remain disproportionately high among individuals experiencing deprivation, those with mental health needs, certain ethnic minority communities, pregnant women, and individuals with substance misuse issues.

The report outlined a comprehensive, whole-system approach to tobacco control, encompassing:

• Prevention: Targeting children and young people through education, diversionary activities, and early intervention services like Re:start.
• Enforcement: Led by Trading Standards, focusing on illicit tobacco and vapes, age-restricted test purchasing, and the implementation of new powers under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.
• Smoking Cessation Support: Provided by One You Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster – Be Tobacco Free, offering behavioural support and medication, with tailored pathways for priority groups.
• Integrated Delivery: Embedding smoking cessation within various health pathways, including cardiovascular, mental health, substance misuse, maternity, acute care, and neighbourhood-based prevention.

The report also emphasised the role of partnership working, including the emerging Local Tobacco Control Alliance, in coordinating these efforts to reduce inequalities and protect children and young people. The Board was invited to note progress, endorse the tobacco control approach, and support the continued prioritisation of smoking cessation as a core prevention intervention.

The Role of the Health and Wellbeing Board in Neighbourhood Health

A key item on the agenda was the strategic role of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Board in shaping neighbourhood health. The report explained that recent national guidance, including the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, the NHS Neighbourhood Health Framework, and Fit for the Future: Towards Population Health Delivery Models, signals a significant shift towards neighbourhood-based care. This approach prioritises prevention, proactive care, integration, and the reduction of inequalities, with care organised around defined neighbourhood populations and delivered through integrated neighbourhood teams (INTs).

The report highlighted that the West North London Integrated Care Board (WNL ICB), in collaboration with local authorities and Health and Wellbeing Boards, is expected to lead this transition. It stressed that Health and Wellbeing Boards are not merely stakeholders but are positioned as the primary place-based forums for agreeing neighbourhood priorities, outcomes, and plans, providing democratic leadership and ensuring alignment with local population needs. For Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, this presents an opportunity to align neighbourhood health with local priorities concerning inequalities, housing, the cost of living, mental health, and inclusion. The Board was asked to endorse its role as the strategic leader for neighbourhood health and population wellbeing, agree on a governance and assurance approach for neighbourhood footprints and delivery models, and commission further work on detailed oversight arrangements for the upcoming year.

Better Care Fund (BCF) End of Year Verbal Update

The Board was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) at the end of the financial year. Previous discussions regarding the BCF have included updates on pilots such as the Health Navigator pilot and the Q2 submission, which had reported no current issues against financial or national metrics. Discussions have also touched upon improving resident awareness of available services, strengthening information-sharing within Adult Social Care, and leveraging the Voluntary and Community Sector for enhanced communications.