The Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel met on Monday 14 September 2026 to discuss the Better Care Fund Delivery Plan and receive updates from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB). Key discussions included the impact of heatwaves on public services, the recommissioning of various care services, and the ongoing development of the BSW ICB's neighbourhood health plans.

Cabinet Member Update

Councillor Alison Bourne, Cabinet Lead for Adult Social Care and Public Health, provided an update on several key areas. She reported on the positive outcomes of the redesign and restructure of LD Provider Services, which included improved day services and expanded community-based opportunities. The transfer of Supported Living Services from Affinity Trust to B&NES's in-house Learning Disabilities service was progressing well, with a focus on ensuring continuity of care and staff integration.

Bourne also highlighted the ongoing review of the All-Age Direct Payments Policy, aimed at creating a clearer and more consistent approach across B&NES. Significant progress was reported on the recommissioning of the Care Home, Homecare, and Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity frameworks, with a focus on provider and resident engagement.

A significant portion of the update focused on the impacts of the Summer 2026 heatwaves. Bourne detailed the health impacts on vulnerable residents, increased pressure on NHS services, and operational challenges faced by council services, including day services and supported living. Measures implemented to mitigate these impacts included enhanced welfare checks, heat risk assessments, and the expansion of the Cool Spaces programme. The report also noted that all state schools in B&NES closed during the red-level heat alert in June, prompting discussions with the Department of Health and UKHSA to improve educational setting resilience.

The update also covered the interim operating arrangements for Royal Victoria Park Golf and Footgolf following the previous operator's decision to cease trading. Excel Ltd has agreed to provide a weekend-only service during September and October 2026. Finally, Bourne clarified that the Public Health Grant does not fund the council's play areas, with responsibility lying with the Parks & Open Spaces team.

B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) Update

Lucy Baker, Director of Place for BSW ICB, provided an update on several key areas. She confirmed that invitations to the Neighbourhood Health Workshop Series would be extended to councillors, with the next workshop scheduled for 1 October 2026. Baker also addressed concerns about child sexual abuse (CSA) training, explaining that a regional collaboration is delivering a consistent training offer across B&NES and surrounding areas.

Regarding healthy eating programmes for children and young people, Baker outlined existing initiatives supported by Public Health, including the Healthy Weight Audit Tool for schools and an Early Years toolkit. The B&NES food strategy also includes a priority to support children's opportunities to learn about and enjoy healthy food.

Baker assured the panel that engagement arrangements are not dependent on a single organisation, with BSW ICB maintaining a range of mechanisms for listening to community voices. She acknowledged the need for a mobile dentistry service and confirmed that work is continuing on dentistry units of provision. Baker also committed to checking with colleagues regarding the supervised toothbrushing programme participation figures and the proposal for Health Visitors to provide support. She stated that the ICB would be watching the national decision regarding the disbandment of Healthwatch closely.

Baker explained that the Neighbourhood Health agenda involves multi-agency teams working around the person at a neighbourhood level, with GPs holding key clinical information, but with a focus on prevention. She confirmed that the term Three Valleys is the established term for the area and that funding is in place. Baker also committed to sharing details of the healthy eating programme and discussing the matter with Public Health colleagues. She noted that the withdrawal of the RUH Outpatient Pharmacy Prescription Delivery Service was a daily operational decision by the hospital and not all decisions meet the threshold for wider consultation. Baker confirmed that dual registration for students is still not allowed, but the ICB is working with universities to improve student access to provision, particularly for mental health and wellbeing services.

Baker also provided an update on vaccination programmes, including a time-limited Meningitis B vaccination programme for eligible students and the first phase of the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccination programme. She confirmed that the ICB would forward a list of upcoming meetings and minutes to democratic services for circulation.

Better Care Fund Delivery Plan

The Panel reviewed the Better Care Fund (BCF) Delivery Plan for 2026–2027. The BCF is a pooled budget of £26.5 million between Bath & North East Somerset Council and the NHS, aimed at supporting integrated health and social care services. The report detailed the expenditure allocations, with a significant portion dedicated to long-term care, followed by intermediate care and reablement.

Key performance metrics for 2025–2026 showed mixed results, with non-elective admissions meeting local targets but remaining higher than peer and regional comparators. Discharge Ready Date performance met targets, but discharge delays were off track. Long-term care home admissions met their target.

The 2026–2027 plan focuses on maintaining essential services while adapting to national expectations around neighbourhood health, prevention, and value for money. Investment priorities include intermediate care, urgent community response, care coordination, equipment and adaptations, and support for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The plan also aims to strengthen evidence of impact and outcomes.

The Equality Impact Assessment for the BCF plan identified potential adverse impacts related to fragmented referral routes, digital exclusion, and inconsistent equality data. Mitigation strategies include maintaining a range of referral routes, providing accessible information, and monitoring access and outcomes by protected characteristics. The assessment also highlighted the need to consider the cumulative impacts of caring responsibilities on women and to ensure services are needs-led rather than age-restricted.

Panel Workplan

The Panel reviewed its workplan, with several new items suggested for inclusion. These included a report on the B&NES Community Safety & Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report 2025/26, an update on the Dementia Strategy, and a discussion on the impact of Long Covid. The Panel also requested a report on the Community Services Transformation, specifically the Community Health Services offer. Further suggestions included a visit to the Abbot Alphege site, inviting the Regional Schools Director and MAT CEOs to a future meeting, and inviting Oxford Health representatives to discuss access to CAMHS. The Panel also requested updates on the SEND Reform Plan and Free School Meal Auto Enrolment.

The Chair announced that Christopher Batten, a Co-opted Member of the Panel, was retiring after 25 years of service, and thanked him for his dedication.