The Northumberland Council Health and Well-being Board met to discuss changes to its membership and terms of reference, and to review the Northumberland Alcohol Strategy (2025 – 2030). The board was also scheduled to review its forward plan.

Northumberland Alcohol Strategy

The board was scheduled to consider the new Northumberland Alcohol Strategy (2025 – 2030). The report in the agenda pack stated that alcohol can have a far reaching and often catastrophic impact on individuals, communities and the economy. It noted that even low levels of alcohol consumption can present an increased risk of harm. The strategy set out four priority areas for the next five years:

• Prevention
• Life Course Approach
• Safer Communities
• Interventions

The report noted that local authorities are required to deliver alcohol treatment and support services as part of their responsibilities conferred by section 18 of the Health and Social Care Act (2012).¹

The strategy also aligns with a number of other key plans and strategies across the County, including:

• Northumberland County Council Corporate Plan 2023 – 2026
• The Northumberland Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2028
• Northumberland County Council Local Plan 2016 – 2036
• Northumberland Inequalities Plan. 2022 – 2025
• The Safer Northumberland Community Partnership Strategic Plan. 2025 – 2028
• Northumberland Public Mental Health Strategy. 2026 – 2031

The strategy included the following vision statement:

We will tackle the harmful impact of alcohol on our communities, address the underlying causes of harm, and empower our residents to make informed choices. By taking a preventative approach, we will address inequalities, and improve health, wellbeing and community safety.

Membership and Terms of Reference

The board was scheduled to consider amendments to its membership and terms of reference. If approved, these changes would need to be ratified by the County Council before being implemented.

The proposed amendments to membership included increasing membership from 25 to 26 members, and adding the Executive Director - Children, Young People and Education, the Chair of the Town and Parish Liaison Working Group, the Tackling Inequalities Champion, and an officer representative from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board². It was also proposed to remove the representative from the Children's and Adults Safeguarding Board.

The proposed changes to the terms of reference included receiving regular reports from the board's working groups, including the Healthy Weight Alliance, Tobacco Partnership and PNA³, and authorising delegated authority to these groups where appropriate.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

The board was scheduled to note and discuss details of forthcoming agenda items at future meetings.