The Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss the annual report on Food Justice in Lambeth, approving the Director of Public Health's report and the associated Food Justice Action Plan. The Board also approved the five-borough Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy for 2025-2030 and discussed the mid-point review and refresh of the Lambeth Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Food Justice in Lambeth

The Board received the Director of Public Health's Annual Report 2025, titled Food at the Heart of Lambeth – A Food Justice Plan 06a_DPH Annual report Food Justice.pdf, and the accompanying Lambeth Food Justice Action Plan 2025 – 2030 06b_Lambeth Food-Justice-Action-Plan-2025-2030.pdf. Ruth Hutt, Director of Public Health, presented the report, highlighting that food justice recognises food as a right and aims to build a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable food system in Lambeth. The report detailed the significant issue of food insecurity in the borough, exacerbated by rising living costs, and its impact on health throughout the life course.

The Food Justice Action Plan outlines a five-year approach to tackle the root causes of food insecurity and systemic injustice. It proposes actions across five key areas: preventative actions to strengthen holistic support and healthy food access, increasing access to nutritious food for children and vulnerable adults, ensuring dignified emergency food provision, transforming the food environment to improve access to healthy and sustainable food, and addressing poverty and building economic opportunity.

The Board resolved to receive the Director of Public Health's Annual Report and to note the associated Food Justice Action Plan as a live, co-produced document supporting the implementation of food justice work in the borough.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy

The Board considered the Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Bexley Bromley Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy (2025-2030) 07_Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy.pdf, presented by Jessica Engen, Consultant in Public Health, and Nancy Padwick, Strategic Lead for Sexual Health. This strategy is a joint effort across five boroughs, aiming to improve sexual and reproductive health and HIV outcomes. It addresses high rates of STIs and HIV in the region, with a focus on reducing health inequalities.

The strategy is built around four themes: Healthy and fulfilling sexual relationships, Improving reproductive health, Reducing the rate of sexually transmitted infections, and Preventing and living well with HIV. It emphasizes collaboration, digital innovation, listening to residents, evidence-based approaches, and fairness and equity. The strategy also acknowledges the impact of wider determinants of health on sexual wellbeing.

The Board resolved to approve the Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy (2025-2030).

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Review

The Board received an update on the mid-point review and refresh of the Lambeth Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28 09_Health and Wellbeing Strategy Review.pdf, presented by Ethan Williams and Rachel Scantlebury, Consultants in Public Health. The review highlighted that while some indicators are improving, a significant proportion are worsening or show no clear trend, and data quality and accessibility are issues. The report also noted the impact of national policy changes, such as the 10 Year Health Plan, and tightening resources.

The proposed approach for the remainder of the review includes further stakeholder and public engagement, and the development of updated metrics and reporting mechanisms. The Board was asked to consider how its role might evolve in light of the Local Government Outcomes Framework and the requirement to develop a Neighbourhood Health Plan.

The Board resolved to consider the interim findings of the review and to approve the proposed approach for the remainder of the review and the refresh of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Governance Review

Alex Jackson, Lambeth Together Programme Lead, presented a report on the governance review of the Lambeth Health and Wellbeing Board and the Lambeth Together Care Partnership Board 08_Health and Care Reform HWB and LTCPB governance review and Strategy and Plan approval process.pdf. The review aims to align the work of the two boards, enable more agile place-based working, streamline planning structures, and achieve greater collective ownership. Proposals include a standardised quarterly meeting cycle for each board and a more neighbourhood-focused approach to public engagement.

The Board resolved to note and provide input on the proposed governance review process for implementation in the financial year 2026/27, and to approve the proposed approach and timelines for reviewing and approving health strategies and plans in the immediate term, including the development of the Local Neighbourhood Plan.

Better Care Fund

The Board ratified Councillor David Bridson's decision, made as Chair's Action on 22 May 2025, to sign off the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 1 Report 2025-26 04 Better Care Fund.pdf to enable timely submission to the BCF National team. Jane Bowie, Director of Integrated Commissioning, reported that Lambeth met the four national conditions for the BCF and that Q1 expenditure was at 25% of the planned income. However, the target for discharge to usual place of residence was narrowly missed, and the target for permanent admissions to care homes for those aged 65 and over was not met, with mitigation measures being implemented.

Director of Public Health Quarterly Report

The Board noted the Director of Public Health's Quarterly Report for July to September 2025 05_Director of Public Health report Q2.pdf. Ruth Hutt, Director of Public Health, highlighted the success of outreach events, including the Health and Wellbeing bus and the AT Beacon Project, which provided numerous health checks and engaged with communities. The report also detailed progress on the Lambeth Suicide Prevention Strategy, the Age-Friendly Lambeth programme, and winter vaccination campaigns. Updates were also provided on substance misuse services, sexual health outreach, and the London HIV Prevention Programme.

Other Business

The Board also noted the minutes of the previous meeting and the action log.