The Health & Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday 21 July 2026 focused on a new vision for Barking and Dagenham, the National Child Measurement Programme, and the Better Care Fund. Key actions included the Board resolving to agree the endorsement of the 'It Starts Here: Partnerships for Change' plan, resolving to approve the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026/27, and resolving to agree the VCFSE Strategy – Equitable System Partnership.

Resident's Story

Emdad Rahman, a resident and community volunteer, shared his experience with BookBike London, a project that has distributed 60,000 books across the borough. He spoke candidly about his personal health challenges, including diabetes and declining eyesight, and the importance of prioritising one's own health while continuing to contribute to the community. His story highlighted the impact of health on an individual's ability to volunteer and the need for both personal and systemic support for well-being.

'It Starts Here: Partnerships for Change' - A New Vision for Barking and Dagenham

The Board resolved to agree the endorsement of the 'It Starts Here: Partnerships for Change' plan. This plan outlines ten key partnership priorities: school readiness and child obesity, poverty, employment, independent living, decent homes, preventing and managing long-term conditions, domestic abuse, community safety, clean streets, and culture and heritage. The strategy emphasises a focus on tangible outcomes, neighbourhood working, and collaborative approaches to improve the lives of Barking and Dagenham residents. Discussions also touched upon the accessibility of crisis funds and the availability of digital access points and community navigators to support residents.

National Child Measurement Programme Dataset

A report was presented on the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) for 2024/25. The data indicated a decrease in the percentage of Reception children classified as above a healthy weight, falling below the national average for the first time on record. While Year 6 children also showed a decrease in this metric, their rate remained higher than the national average. The report noted a persistent gender gap, with boys having a higher rate of obesity than girls, and highlighted improvements in data quality. The contribution of primary schools to tackling childhood obesity through the Healthy Schools Awards was also acknowledged.

Barking and Dagenham Better Care Fund Narrative Plan and Numerical Template 2026/27

The Board resolved to approve the Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan for 2026/27, which totals approximately £37 million. This fund aims to support integrated and preventative care across health and social care, with a focus on shifting from sickness to prevention and from hospital to home. The plan aligns with national conditions for integrated care, expenditure compliance, and effective governance. While the majority of funding is directed towards residents aged 65 and over and care home provision due to funding criteria, planned reforms are expected to offer more flexibility in addressing local priorities.

VCFSE Strategy - Equitable System Partnership (NEL VCFSE Collaborative)

The Board resolved to agree the VCFSE Strategy – Equitable System Partnership, developed collaboratively by VCFSE organisations and statutory partners across North East London. This strategy is built on seven pillars designed to foster a more equitable partnership between the VCFSE sector and the NHS. These pillars focus on recognising the unique strengths of the VCFSE in prevention, genuine power sharing and co-production, a new tiered commissioning model, investment in capacity and leadership, improved data integration, shared resources and learning, and effective integration within neighbourhood working. The strategy aims to strengthen the role of the voluntary sector as a core partner in delivering services and improving health outcomes.