The Health & Wellbeing Board was scheduled to consider a range of reports and strategies aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Havering residents. Key discussions were scheduled to focus on the implementation of the Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy, the annual report on Suicide Prevention, and the Health Protection Forum's annual report. Other topics scheduled for consideration included the Healthy Weight Strategy, Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans, and a verbal update on the Better Care Fund.

Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on progress made against the Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy (2024-2029). This included a review of achievements to date and key actions planned for the 2026-27 year. The report was also scheduled to cover updates on the implementation of the national Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create a smoke-free generation by phasing out the sale of tobacco products to those born on or after 1 January 2009, banning disposable vapes, and introducing new regulations on vape advertising and sales. The strategy's four priority areas – supporting smokers to quit, prevention, creating smoke-free environments, and tackling youth vaping – were scheduled to be discussed, along with an overview of outcomes by gender and socio-economic classification for 2025-26.

Suicide Prevention Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to consider the Havering Suicide Prevention 2025 Annual Report. This report was scheduled to detail the most recent official statistics on suicide rates in England and Wales, alongside local data for Havering. It was scheduled to outline the implementation of the 5-year All-Age Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2025-2030, key activities undertaken in 2025, and a review of deaths by suspected suicide. The report was also scheduled to provide an overview and key findings from the Havering Suicide Prevention Communications Campaign and present recommendations for 2026. The report included a content warning regarding the sensitive nature of the subject matter.

Health Protection Forum Annual Report

The Health Protection Forum's 2025 Annual Report was scheduled to be presented, summarising the operation of key local health protection arrangements. This was scheduled to include updates on immunisation programmes (childhood, maternal, and adult), infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and blood-borne viruses, and healthcare-associated infections. The report was also scheduled to cover air quality, including the response to issues at Launders Lane, and health emergency planning, such as adverse weather and preparedness for synthetic opioid threats. The report was scheduled to review progress against actions from the previous year and set out priorities for 2026, including pandemic preparedness, tuberculosis and community engagement, and local plans for extreme weather events.

Healthy Weight Strategy Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to review the Havering Healthy Weight Strategy's annual report for its second year of implementation (2025-26). The report was scheduled to outline achievements, challenges, and next steps, with recommendations for the Board to note the report, confirm continuing support for the strategy, and reinforce shared responsibility across sectors. Key performance indicators were scheduled to be presented, including the prevalence of overweight and obesity in reception-aged and Year 6 children, adult fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity levels, and the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese. Plans for the coming year were also scheduled to be discussed, focusing on developing a neighbourhood model for healthy weight and a targeted action plan for Harold Hill.

Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans

A supplementary agenda item was scheduled to discuss Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans, focusing on proposed governance, scope, and timetable. The report was scheduled to outline a proposed relationship between the Havering Partnership Executive Group and the Health and Wellbeing Board, distinguishing between executive development and statutory democratic oversight. It was scheduled to propose that the Partnership Executive Group develops and coordinates the plan, while the Board provides democratic challenge and public accountability. The intended scope of the plan and a provisional milestone of presenting a first plan by April 2027 were also scheduled for discussion.

Better Care Fund Approval

A verbal update was scheduled to be given regarding the Better Care Fund approval.

Suicide Prevention Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to consider the Havering Suicide Prevention 2025 Annual Report. This report was scheduled to detail the most recent official statistics on suicide rates in England and Wales, alongside local data for Havering. It was scheduled to outline the implementation of the 5-year All-Age Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2025-2030, key activities undertaken in 2025, and a review of deaths by suspected suicide. The report was also scheduled to provide an overview and key findings from the Havering Suicide Prevention Communications Campaign and present recommendations for 2026. The report included a content warning regarding the sensitive nature of the subject matter.

Health Protection Forum Annual Report

The Health Protection Forum's 2025 Annual Report was scheduled to be presented, summarising the operation of key local health protection arrangements. This was scheduled to include updates on immunisation programmes (childhood, maternal, and adult), infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and blood-borne viruses, and healthcare-associated infections. The report was also scheduled to cover air quality, including the response to issues at Launders Lane, and health emergency planning, such as adverse weather and preparedness for synthetic opioid threats. The report was scheduled to review progress against actions from the previous year and set out priorities for 2026, including pandemic preparedness, tuberculosis and community engagement, and local plans for extreme weather events.

Healthy Weight Strategy Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to review the Havering Healthy Weight Strategy's annual report for its second year of implementation (2025-26). The report was scheduled to outline achievements, challenges, and next steps, with recommendations for the Board to note the report, confirm continuing support for the strategy, and reinforce shared responsibility across sectors. Key performance indicators were scheduled to be presented, including the prevalence of overweight and obesity in reception-aged and Year 6 children, adult fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity levels, and the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese. Plans for the coming year were also scheduled to be discussed, focusing on developing a neighbourhood model for healthy weight and a targeted action plan for Harold Hill.

Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans

A supplementary agenda item was scheduled to discuss Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans, focusing on proposed governance, scope, and timetable. The report was scheduled to outline a proposed relationship between the Havering Partnership Executive Group and the Health and Wellbeing Board, distinguishing between executive development and statutory democratic oversight. It was scheduled to propose that the Partnership Executive Group develops and coordinates the plan, while the Board provides democratic challenge and public accountability. The intended scope of the plan and a provisional milestone of presenting a first plan by April 2027 were also scheduled for discussion.

Better Care Fund Approval

A verbal update was scheduled to be given regarding the Better Care Fund approval.

Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy

The Board was scheduled to consider the Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy (2024-2029). The report was scheduled to provide an update on progress made against the strategy's actions, including key achievements and planned actions for the 2026-27 year. It was also scheduled to cover updates on the national Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create a smoke-free generation. The strategy's four priority areas – supporting smokers to quit and reducing inequality, prevention, creating smoke-free environments, and tackling youth vaping – were scheduled for discussion.

Health Protection Forum Annual Report

The Health Protection Forum's 2025 Annual Report was scheduled to be presented. This report was scheduled to summarise the operation of key local health protection arrangements, including immunisation programmes, infectious diseases, air quality, and health emergency planning. It was scheduled to review progress against actions from the previous year and set out priorities for 2026, such as pandemic preparedness and tuberculosis and community engagement.

Healthy Weight Strategy Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to review the Havering Healthy Weight Strategy's annual report for its second year of implementation (2025-26). The report was scheduled to outline achievements, challenges, and next steps, with recommendations for the Board to note the report and confirm continuing support for the strategy. Key performance indicators were scheduled to be presented, and plans for the coming year were to be discussed, focusing on developing a neighbourhood model for healthy weight.

Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans

A supplementary agenda item was scheduled to discuss Havering Neighbourhoods Health Plans, focusing on proposed governance, scope, and timetable. The report was scheduled to outline a proposed relationship between the Havering Partnership Executive Group and the Health and Wellbeing Board, and discuss the intended scope of the plan and a provisional milestone for its presentation.

Suicide Prevention Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to consider the Havering Suicide Prevention 2025 Annual Report, which was scheduled to detail national and local statistics, the implementation of the All-Age Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and key activities undertaken in 2025. Recommendations for 2026 were also scheduled to be presented.

Matters Arising

The Board was scheduled to consider the Board's Action Log.