The Health and Wellbeing Board of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026 to discuss a range of critical public health matters. Key decisions included the approval of the Better Care Fund's end-of-year performance for 2025-26 and its plan for 2026-27, alongside noting progress on the refreshed Hertfordshire Carers Strategy and the development of Best Start Family Hubs. The Board also received updates on Neighbourhood Health initiatives and the ongoing Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Better Care Fund Performance and Plans

The Board approved the Better Care Fund's (BCF) end-of-year performance report for 2025-26, noting strong overall performance against national metrics, particularly in reducing discharge delays and long-term admissions to residential care. Expenditure for the year was £159.4 million, fully aligned with planned income. The BCF plan for 2026-27 was also approved, which prioritises prevention, independence, and neighbourhood-based integrated care, with a focus on healthy ageing, reducing health inequalities, and supporting unpaid carers. Hayley King, Senior Programme Manager at Hertfordshire County Council, highlighted the success of initiatives such as the plus-size equipment pilot and the Hertfordshire Equipment Service Discharge Initiative, which have demonstrated significant value and improved outcomes for residents. Discussions also touched upon the impact of heatwaves on emergency admissions and the challenges of maintaining services within an aging infrastructure.

Neighbourhood Health Update

Ed Knowles, Director of Neighbourhood, Place and Partnerships at the Central East Integrated Care Board, provided an update on the development of Neighbourhood Health Teams across Hertfordshire. The focus is on creating a common understanding of what neighbourhood working means in practice, with an initial priority on frailty. The Board was informed of the development of a delivery plan for 2026-27 and the establishment of a Neighbourhood Health Delivery Committee. The discussion highlighted the importance of aligning these efforts with wider system reforms, including those for children and young people, and the need for a clear definition of neighbourhood that resonates with residents. Concerns were raised about the potential for a mechanistic, NHS-centric approach, with an emphasis placed on the need for genuine prevention and community involvement.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Progress

Christine Oker, Senior Programme Manager at Hertfordshire County Council, presented an update on the progress of the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which has been extended to run until March 2028. A stakeholder survey received 153 responses, with the highest engagement from the voluntary and community sector. The analysis of this survey, alongside a refreshed Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), will inform future priorities. The priority area of emotional health and mental wellbeing throughout life received the highest number of responses, reflecting ongoing discussions in this area. A more comprehensive report will be presented at the next Board meeting.

Refresh of the Hertfordshire Carers Strategy and Action Plan

Tim Knapper, officer within Adult Care Services, and Sue Chapman, Service Manager in Children Services, presented the refreshed All-Age Carers Strategy and Action Plan for Hertfordshire. The strategy, developed through extensive co-production with carers, focuses on five key outcomes: being informed, life beyond caring, maintaining health and wellbeing, receiving consistent joined-up services, and being safe. A new emphasis on the being safe outcome was highlighted as a significant shift, addressing risks to both carers and those they care for. The plan acknowledges the increasing prevalence of caring roles due to an aging population and growing complexity of needs. The strategy also specifically addresses the needs of young carers, including the transition into adulthood and the importance of co-production. The Board was invited to note, comment on, and endorse the proposed strategy and action plan.

Best Start Family Hubs Progress Update

Aideen Dunne, Assistant Director/Consultant in Public Health, and Pablo Benvenutto, Strategy Manager, Early Years at Hertfordshire County Council, provided an update on the development of Best Start Family Hubs (BSFH). The programme aims to improve early years outcomes, with Hertfordshire setting ambitious targets for children achieving a Good Level of Development by age five. The initial phase focuses on Stevenage and Watford, areas identified with both low GLD outcomes and high deprivation. The strategy builds on the existing Family Centre Service, integrating health, education, and social care. Key developments include the recruitment of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners and Family Navigators, training in evidence-based interventions, and plans for co-location of services. The discussion emphasised the need to ensure children and young people are visible within neighbourhood health plans and that BSFH are integrated with wider neighbourhood centres.

Hertfordshire VCFSE Alliance Conference Update

Adam Thapar, Director of the Hertfordshire VCFSE Alliance, shared outcomes from the Alliance's conference in May. The conference highlighted a strong appetite within the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to collaborate as equal partners in improving health and wellbeing. Key messages included a desire to move beyond engagement into genuine partnership, a commitment to delivering prevention, and the need for stronger collaboration across statutory services and community organisations. The value of community insight was stressed, with a call for it to play a greater role in strategic decision-making. The Alliance has established thematic groups focusing on prevention, early support, neighbourhood working, financial wellbeing, mental health, and data insights. Three core asks were presented to the Board: to recognise the VCFSE sector as a strategic partner, support stronger connectivity between statutory services and community organisations, and create opportunities for community insight to influence strategic decision-making.

Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Boards Progress Highlight Reports

The Board reviewed the progress highlight reports from its five sub-boards for April to June 2026. These reports summarised key activities and achievements, including the launch of a new advocacy service for Violence Against Women and Girls, progress on co-occurring needs and crisis support within the Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Board, a review of early help offers and commissioned services by the Children and Young People's Commissioning Oversight Group, and developments in adult mental health models and learning disability strategy by the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity Health and Care Partnership. Feedback from the Health and Wellbeing Board Community of Practice session was also presented, emphasizing the importance of embedding the VCFSE sector within emerging neighbourhood health models and the need for better data sharing to evidence VCFSE impact. The Board was asked to note these reports and advise if any areas required further review.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of future meeting dates and thanks to the officers for their support.