The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to consider updates on the delivery of the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy, including findings from a stakeholder survey and analysis of needs assessments. The Board was also scheduled to receive an update on the development of Neighbourhood Health Teams and plans for winter resilience.

Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery

The Board was scheduled to review the progress of the Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022–2028, which was extended from its original end date. This discussion was to be informed by the findings of the 2026 stakeholder survey, a refreshed strategy dashboard, and the latest Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The stakeholder survey, which received 78 responses, indicated that the most impactful support was perceived to be practical, preventative, and locally accessible, often delivered through trusted community settings such as schools and Healthy Hubs. Key enablers identified included partnership working, skilled staff, and community infrastructure. Recurring risks highlighted were funding and capacity pressures, rising demand, fragmented pathways, and unequal access. The strategy dashboard indicated that most population-level indicators had shown little significant change, with some worsening trends in areas like childhood emotional and mental health needs, and homelessness. The JSNA highlighted persistent health inequalities and concerns relating to mental wellbeing, healthy weight, alcohol harm, and homelessness. The report proposed focusing on a manageable number of shared actions to improve access, strengthen prevention, reduce inequalities, and enhance partnership coordination, rather than redesigning the strategy itself. The Board was asked to consider agreeing to hold a development session to discuss these integrated evidence findings and identify shared actions.

Hertfordshire Neighbourhood Health Plan and Delivery Update

An update was scheduled on the development of Hertfordshire's Neighbourhood Health approach. The Hertfordshire Neighbourhood Health Delivery Committee (NHDC) was scheduled to hold its first meeting and assess the county's position against national expectations for a Neighbourhood Health Framework. The committee was scheduled to conclude that Hertfordshire already met the foundation year expectations and would focus on longer-term reforms, including developing a full Neighbourhood Health Plan, defining governance, and aligning national goals with local delivery. A key deliverable for 2026/27 was to be a single specification for Neighbourhood Health Teams, with an initial focus on supporting people experiencing frailty. This approach was to build on existing proactive care models and involve multidisciplinary teams, population health data, and rapid community-based support. The report also mentioned the development of a Citizen Voice and Insight model to ensure resident involvement in the design and evolution of neighbourhood health.

Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) Winter Planning

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the development and assurance of the Central East ICB's Winter Resilience and Seasonal Pressures Plans for 2026/27. The Central East ICB, serving approximately 3.5 million people, was planning for its first winter as a single entity. The report highlighted that the system had experienced sustained operational pressure, with acute sites frequently operating at high levels of demand throughout the previous year. The Winter Plan was to address national expectations regarding governance, prevention, flow, demand management, primary care, community health capacity, and system coordination. Learning from Exercise Aegis 2026, a winter exercise involving various health and local authority partners, was to be incorporated into the plans. Key risks identified included sustained demand above planned capacity, workforce capacity and resilience, seasonal infections, high occupancy and delayed discharge, and capacity issues within community, social care, and care homes. The report also noted examples of good practice from across the ICB's footprint, including initiatives in Hertfordshire aimed at strengthening prevention, admission avoidance, and hospital discharge.

Sub-Boards Progress Highlight Reports – Quarter Two (July to September 2026)

The Board was scheduled to review progress highlight reports from its five sub-boards for the period July to September 2026. These reports were to summarise key activities, progress, achievements, and delivery risks.

• Children and Young People's Commissioning Oversight Board: This report was to cover the launch of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy 2026–2028, reviews of oral health support for children and young people with SEND, and vaccination uptake rates. It was also to highlight the first increase in under-18 conceptions in Hertfordshire in 15 years. The Board was asked to consider opportunities for closer joint commissioning between the Council and the ICB for Public Health and Children's Services.
• Hertfordshire Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity (MHLDN) Health and Care Partnership: This report was to detail alignment with Central East ICB priorities, the confirmation of pilot Neighbourhood Mental Health Centres, and the refresh of the Hertfordshire Mental Health Strategy. It was also to cover progress on the All-Age Learning Disability Strategy and identify underserved groups within children and young people's emotional and mental wellbeing services.
• Better Care Fund Board: This report was to confirm national approval of the 2026/27 Better Care Fund Plan, report on performance regarding emergency admissions and discharge delays, and outline the approval of Adult Social Care Team Manager posts to strengthen integrated triage. It was also to detail the agreed evaluation approach for health and social care schemes. Risks identified included long-term funding sustainability and workforce capacity.
• Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Partnership Board: This report was to cover the launch of the Mimram Gender-Based Abuse Support Service, the roll-out of a new governance structure, and progress on safe accommodation procurement. Risks included potential pressures on the new advocacy service due to high referrals and challenges in securing suitable properties for accommodation-based support.
• Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Board: This report was to detail the successful submission of the OHID Grant, strengthened co-production efforts, and progress on integrated support for co-occurring mental health and substance use. It was also to cover the mobilisation of new arrangements for inpatient detoxification services and the continuation of prevention and harm-reduction campaigns.

A verbal update on feedback from the Health and Wellbeing Board Community of Practice session, scheduled for 30 September 2026, was also to be provided.

Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board and Children's Partnership Annual Reports

The Board was scheduled to note the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) Annual Report 2025/26 and the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership (HSCP) Annual Report 2025/26. The HSAB report was to highlight work on complex needs, asylum seekers, homelessness, adults with learning disabilities, and transitions between services. It was to note the publication of several Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) and the ongoing work to embed their learning. The HSCP report was to detail progress on priorities including protecting against domestic abuse, sexual abuse, extra-familial harm, creating best life chances for children, and implementing social care reforms. It was to highlight responses to national learning on child sexual abuse and local reviews, and provide assurance on the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

Rough Sleeper Programme

An update was scheduled on the Government's new Rough Sleeping Programme, aimed at providing routes off the streets and longer-term accommodation with wraparound support for individuals experiencing rough sleeping and multiple disadvantage. The report was to outline the programme's two key funding elements: Routes Off the Street Provision and Settled Accommodation and Wraparound Support. It was to highlight the opportunity for Hertfordshire to align existing partnerships and services within a more coherent countywide response, building on established approaches like Housing First and MEAM principles. The Board was invited to discuss its future role in overseeing local plans for this programme.