The Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board noted updates on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the Better Care Fund, and health protection, and agreed to establish a working group to develop a neighbourhood plan. The board also thanked Dr Jerry McSorley, the retiring chair of the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), for his service.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Annual Assurance Report

The board received an update from Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Leads on five priority areas: carers, healthy weight, homes for independence, mental health and dementia, and physical activity. The board approved the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plans for 2025 to 2026, which will be published on the Lincolnshire Health Intelligence Hub.

Physical Activity

Emma Tatlow, from Active Lincolnshire, reported that Lincolnshire continues to have higher levels of inactivity than most parts of the country, with one-third of adults not meeting recommended physical activity levels. She noted that over 2,000 organisations and community groups are involved in providing physical activity across the county, employing more than 20,000 people, but that the sector is facing challenges due to a lack of funding. Active Lincolnshire is a charity funded by Sport England to deliver the national Uniting the Movement strategy locally.

Councillor K E Lee asked if potential changes to the funding of the One You Lincolnshire service would impact the strategy. Emma Tatlow responded that while the integrated lifestyle service has an important place for the people it reaches, more needs to be done to support and unlock those things that are making it difficult for more people to be active.

Martin Samuels, Executive Director - Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, asked if data on physical inactivity levels has shifted over the last 10 years. Emma Tatlow said that it has not shifted greatly, and that Sport England is funding Active Lincolnshire to work in place to start to do things differently and to focus on the inactive population.

Unpaid Carers

Lisa Loy, Program Manager in Public Health, presented an update on unpaid carers, who contribute an estimated £163 billion each year to the health and care system, more than the NHS annual budget. She noted that there are 70,391 unpaid carers in Lincolnshire, representing 9.6% of the population, which is higher than the national average.

Councillor K E Lee requested measurable outcomes to assess whether the needs of carers are being met. Lisa Loy responded that there is a commissioned service with those measures, but they are not included in the report. Anne-Marie Scott suggested using the SAFE survey¹ to bring metrics and information back to the board.

Healthy Weight

Andy Fox, from public health, presented an update on the healthy weight priority, noting that the majority of adults in Lincolnshire are overweight or obese, and that childhood obesity is also an increasing issue. He highlighted several services that are designed to help people make key changes, including the adult weight management pathway, the National Diabetes Prevention Programme, and the GLOGI Energy programme.

Councillor K E Lee asked for Andy Fox's comments about the success of the high-performing One You Lincolnshire service to be included in the report to committee on 3 December. Councillor District Donald Nannestad asked about ultra-processed foods and school food standards. Andy Fox responded that the services are aimed at healthy nutrition overall and supporting people to eat more fruit and vegetables and natural foods. Heather Sandy, Executive Director of Children's Services, added that school food standards are mandatory but not policed, and that the food and schools team works with all schools to support them in delivering nutritious food within their budget.

Homes for Independence

Anne-Marie Scott presented an update on homes for independence, noting that the Housing Health and Ageing Well Delivery Group oversees the delivery plan in this area. She highlighted the launch of the Good Home Hub, the Lincolnshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeper strategy, and a hoarding support pilot.

Martin Samuels asked about the housing stock modelling exercise and how often it is carried out. Anne-Marie Scott responded that it is carried out every five years, and that it looks at the quality of the home and the hazards in the home. Councillor District Donald Nannestad asked about extra care housing and Diamond Place at Welton.

Mental Health and Dementia

Richard Eccles presented an update on mental health and dementia, noting that Lincolnshire has a strong prevention focus and a very good early intervention offer. He highlighted the Luminova pilot, the Twilight Cafe pilot in Lincoln, and the rollout of mental health support teams in schools. He also noted that dementia continues to increase year on year, and that Lincolnshire has a good dementia diagnosis rate.

Councillor District Donald Nannestad asked about the online counselling service, Couth. Heather Sandy responded that Couth is an online counselling service where children can get access to support, and that it is promoted through schools and the council website. Councillor M L Hume thanked Richard Eccles for the improvements to dementia services. Councillor Mrs S Woolley asked if more resources could be pushed into prevention and education.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plans

The board then voted to:

1. Note the information provided in the Joint Health and Well-being Strategy Annual Assurance Reports for 2024 and 25.
2. Approve the Joint Health and Well-being Strategy Priority Delivery Plans for 2025 to 26 prior to the publication on the Lincolnshire Health Intelligence Hub.

Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England

Alison Christie, Head of Prevention and System Oversight, introduced a report outlining the key proposals in the government's 10-year health plan, Fit for the Future, which focuses on shifting care from hospitals to the community, embracing digital solutions, and prioritising prevention. The plan aims to establish a new Neighbourhood Health Service to deliver integrated, patient-centred care locally.

Councillor Mrs S Woolley expressed concern about the plan's mixed messages regarding combined authorities and ICB boundaries, questioning whether it is in the best interest of the people of Lincolnshire. Councillor S W Clegg said that the mayor has written to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about this. Clair Raybould, from the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, assured that residents would not get lost as the changes come together. Dr Gerry McSorley added that representations had been made to NHS England for a greater Lincolnshire component, but the response was that the NHS would deal with its own issue.

Councillor K E Lee expressed excitement about the plan, emphasizing the importance of moving care from hospitals to the community. Melanie Weatherley MBE, from the Lincolnshire Care Association, welcomed the inclusion of care providers in neighbourhood health planning.

The board agreed to note the key proposals, acknowledge the ICB's application to the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, note the readiness assessment, and establish a working group to develop a neighbourhood plan, reporting back at future meetings.

Lincolnshire Better Care Fund Update

Martin Samuels presented an update on the Lincolnshire Better Care Fund (BCF), a national policy supporting NHS and local authority collaboration to improve health and social care integration. He noted that the BCF planning guidance for 2025/26 has been released and the report covered a summary of the requirements and included the final submission.

Karen Dunderdale suggested considering how to commission the delivery of the first ask in the 10-year plan, which is about innovation and left shift. Councillor Mrs S Woolley asked if the ICB contribution would still be coming from Lincolnshire ICB or from the clustered ICBs. Martin Samuels responded that it would come from Lincolnshire ICB because it remains a statutory organisation at the moment.

The board agreed to note the update provided on the 25/26 Better Care Fund submission as outlined in the report.

Health Protection Board Annual Report 2024-2025

Professor Derek Ward, Director of Public Health, presented the Health Protection Board Annual Report 2024-2025, highlighting key points and achievements in health protection assurance, emergency preparedness, and immunisation strategy.

Councillor Mrs S Woolley applauded the inspection of funeral homes and asked if it could be rolled out in other parts of the county. Professor Derek Ward responded that they recognised the national priorities around this area. Councillor K E Lee raised concerns about the uptake of vaccinations among healthcare workers. Karen Dunderdale clarified that vaccinations are available, but the uptake has reduced significantly since Covid, and that there is an expectation to increase vaccination rates. Melanie Weatherley MBE noted that care home staff uptake is low, and home care is probably even worse, and that it is difficult to collect data on vaccinations in social care.

The board agreed to note the Director of Public Health Annual Health Projection Report, note and support the focus and priorities for 2025 26, and to note and support the Lincolnshire Immunisation Strategy.

Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

The board reviewed the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan and agreed to include the development of a neighbourhood plan in the forward plan.