The Health and Well-being Board of Northumberland Council met on Thursday, 22 January 2026, to discuss a range of public health matters. Key topics included an update on health protection, strategies for tobacco control, and the use of Health Impact Assessments in planning applications. The Board also received reports on safeguarding children and adults, and reviewed its forward plan.

Annual Report of the Northumberland Health Protection Assurance and Development Partnership

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the Northumberland Health Protection Assurance and Development Partnership (HPADP) over the past 12 months. The report was expected to cover health protection issues, relevant data, and multi-agency efforts. Key areas of focus for the HPADP include the prevention and control of communicable diseases, immunisation programmes, health and social care-associated infections, emergency preparedness, cancer and non-cancer screening, and environmental hazards. The report highlighted concerns regarding rising rates of sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea and syphilis, and noted the early start to the seasonal flu season due to an Influenza A(H3N2) strain. It also detailed efforts to improve vaccination uptake, particularly among vulnerable groups, and outlined plans for pandemic preparedness and responses to environmental hazards like private water supply issues.

Northumberland Tobacco Control Partnership Annual Update 2025

An update was scheduled on the work of the Northumberland Tobacco Control Partnership (NTCP) during 2025. The report aimed to provide an overview of the partnership's collaborative approach to addressing tobacco and smoking in the region. Smoking remains a significant public health issue and a key driver of health inequalities in Northumberland. The NTCP's ambition is to reduce smoking rates to 5% or less by 2030. The report was expected to cover national developments, including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and detail local actions taken across eight strategic themes of tobacco control. These themes include local engagement, advocacy for evidence-based policy, reducing exposure to tobacco smoke, year-round media communications, supporting smokers to quit, reducing illicit trade, tobacco and nicotine regulation, and data and research. A specific focus was placed on the I'm a quitter campaign targeting younger males and the Best Start in Life pathway for pregnant smokers.

Health Impact Assessment Update

The Board was to receive an update on the use of Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) in major planning applications since June 2023. The report explained that the built environment significantly impacts health, and HIAs are a tool to identify potential positive and negative health effects of new developments early in the planning process. Northumberland County Council's Local Plan requires major developments to submit a Healthy Planning Checklist, and for larger schemes, a Rapid or Full Health Impact Assessment. The report detailed the number of HIAs reviewed and provided examples of recommendations made, such as improving active travel plans, providing onsite defibrillators, and exploring local employment opportunities. The Board was also invited to consider a closed session to discuss the review of health considerations in the Local Plan and the ongoing HIA process.

NCASP Annual Report (October 2024 - April 2025)

An update was scheduled on the progress, achievements, and challenges of the Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP) for the period of October 2024 to April 2025. This report served as a supplementary update to the previous annual report and aimed to provide assurance on safeguarding effectiveness. The report highlighted the strengthening of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, including updated policies and protocols for information sharing. It detailed progress on strategic priorities, including work on exploitation, neglect, and complex mental health. The report also outlined the work of various subgroups, such as the Practice Learning Group, Child Safeguarding Practice Review Group, and Safeguarding Adults Review Group, and provided an overview of training initiatives and the partnership's financial position. Key challenges identified included recruitment pressures, difficulties in conducting face-to-face child protection conferences, and emerging risks related to vaping and exploitation.

Health and Wellbeing Board – Forward Plan

The Board was scheduled to review its forward plan for the 2025/26 council year. This plan outlines forthcoming agenda items for future meetings, including updates on the Healthy Weight Alliance, the Northumberland Inequalities Plan, rural and coastal health inequalities, the Public Health Annual Report, and strategies related to mental health, gambling, and sexual health. The plan also lists regular reports and items scheduled for future meetings, such as annual reports from various partnerships and services.