The Integrated Meeting of Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing and Health & Care Partnership Boards was scheduled to discuss the development of a Local Supported Housing Strategy, review future governance arrangements for the two boards, and receive updates on promoting wellbeing initiatives and the Better Care Fund. The meeting was also scheduled to consider the development of the new Borough Plan and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

Development of a Local Supported Housing Strategy for Waltham Forest

The meeting was scheduled to consider the development of a Local Supported Housing Strategy for Waltham Forest, a statutory requirement under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which mandates local authorities to publish such a strategy by March 2027. The strategy aims to assess existing provision and future needs, establish strategic priorities, and create a delivery plan to meet supported housing requirements across the borough. This will also prepare the council for new national supported housing standards, licensing arrangements, and annual reporting. The report was scheduled to provide an update on progress, outline key lines of enquiry, and seek feedback on strategy development, engagement opportunities, and proposed governance arrangements. The strategy is intended to help residents live independently, avoid homelessness, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

Future Governance Arrangements for the Health and Wellbeing Board and Health and Care Partnership Board

The meeting was scheduled to review the current aligned meeting arrangements for the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB) and the Health and Care Partnership Board (HCPB). It was proposed that the boards would meet separately in the future, with clearer and more distinct roles and revised membership. The HWBB was scheduled to focus on strategic leadership for population health and wellbeing, including setting strategic direction through the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, identifying health inequalities, and overseeing the Better Care Fund (BCF). The HCPB was scheduled to focus on partnership working, integration, and overseeing the operational delivery of shared strategic priorities and transformation projects. This separation was intended to provide greater clarity on the purpose, responsibilities, and accountability of each board while maintaining collaboration.

Update on the Promoting Wellbeing Workstream

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the Promoting Wellbeing workstream, which focuses on prevention, early intervention, wellbeing, and addressing inequalities. A workshop had been held to review the workstreams, reflect on progress over the past three years, and identify priorities for the future, considering the shift to neighbourhood working and changes within the council. The report was scheduled to present a longlist of potential new workstreams, including Cost of Living/Poverty, Housing, Mental Health Promotion, Employment, Community Outreach & Engagement, Community Spaces, Assets & Hubs, and Strengthening Links with the VCS & Faith Groups. The boards were asked to select up to five priority workstreams, decide if some should be framed as enablers, and consider if the scope should expand to include Babies, Children and Young People (BCYP).

Future Waltham Forest and Development of the New Borough Plan

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the development of a new Borough Plan, which will outline the council's commitments for the next four years. The Future Waltham Forest engagement programme, launched in August 2026, has been gathering input from residents, communities, and partners to understand aspirations for the borough and inform the new plan. The engagement has involved neighbourhood assemblies, community-led conversations, ward member activities, youth engagement, and thematic roundtables. Early themes emerging from this engagement include a desire for greener, climate-resilient neighbourhoods, addressing housing affordability, safe streets, thriving town centres, and accessible health and wellbeing support. The full findings are expected to be published in December 2026, with the Borough Plan to be published in Spring 2027.

Better Care Fund (BCF) Update

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on Better Care Fund (BCF) activity for 2026/27, including financial expenditure and performance against monitoring metrics. The report was scheduled to detail the BCF's income and expenditure, noting that expenditure to the end of Quarter 2 was 50% of the annual plan. Performance against key metrics was also to be presented, with a note that emergency admissions for residents aged 65 and over were 4% above the annual target. The report was also scheduled to seek approval for updates to the Section 75 schedules to reflect the 2026/27 arrangements and request delegated authority for nominated Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) to approve future quarterly monitoring returns and support the administration of the Section 75 agreement.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

The meeting was scheduled to consider the refresh of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), a statutory responsibility of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The JSNA aims to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, inform local decisions, and provide commissioning priorities. The proposed refresh includes a stronger focus on projections of need and neighbourhood-level data, with a phased approach planned. The existing Population Health and Data Group was scheduled to serve as the JSNA Steering Group. The board was expected to welcome the proposed approach and discuss the potential need to prioritise certain areas of work, such as carers, dementia, and frailty, and consider the value of thematic JSNAs with an equity and anti-racist focus.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The meeting was scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 July 2026.