The Health and Well-being Board meeting scheduled for 12 February 2026 was set to discuss progress on addressing inequalities in Northumberland, receive an update on the Healthy Weight Alliance, and review the board's forward planning. The meeting's agenda focused on embedding community strengths and assets-based approaches to tackle inequalities, reviewing the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at promoting healthy weights, and refining how the board monitors its strategic objectives.

Addressing Inequalities in Northumberland

A joint report from the Leader of the County Council, Councillor Glen Sanderson, and the Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, Councillor Eve Chicken, was scheduled to be presented. This report aimed to highlight key achievements delivered over the three-year term of the Northumberland Inequalities Plan. It was intended to demonstrate how the council is continuing to embed a sustainable, system-wide approach to addressing inequalities. The report recommended that the Northumberland Inequalities Plan 2022-2025 be signed off as completed, with its principles continuing to be integrated into the council's work. The report also proposed that updates on the progression of work led by the County Partnership be provided. The plan itself, which was co-developed from collective outputs of a summit and locality events, is grounded in five core principles: residents' voice being equal to data, workforce development and coordination, developing commissioning and delivering services differently, considering everything through an inequalities lens, and maximising civic level responsibilities. The report detailed progress across these themes, including the use of the Northumberland Place Standard Tool, the development of the Northumberland Volunteer Passport, and the embedding of an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) process. Case studies were also included to showcase how organisations are working differently to embed the principles of the inequalities plan.

Healthy Weight Alliance Annual Update

The Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, Councillor Eve Chicken, was scheduled to present an update on the Healthy Weight Alliance. The purpose of this report was to provide board members with an update on progress made against recommendations from the alliance's initial year, report on additional work facilitated in its second year, and ensure continued system-wide representation and input into the alliance. The report highlighted that in Northumberland, while most children and young people are a healthy weight, there is a rising trend in overweight and obesity rates by Year 6. It also noted that two-thirds of adults in Northumberland were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity in 2023/24, with socioeconomic deprivation being a key driver of unhealthy weight. National and regional developments, such as restrictions on high-fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) food advertising and proposed bans on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, were also to be discussed. The update detailed progress from alliance partners, including embedding recommendations from a Good Food Local Assessment into the council's food strategy, assessing unhealthy advertising potential on council-owned assets, and developing healthier vending guidance. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's work on addressing weight stigma and developing Helpful Conversations About Weight Training was also to be highlighted.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Planning

This agenda item was intended to facilitate a discussion among board members to agree on changes to the board's forward planning and reporting approach. It was proposed to replace the current annual reports on the three overarching themes of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) with a two-year forward plan that would systematically cover the main JHWS commitments. This change aims to encourage a wider variety of organisations to present items at the board and promote more focused reporting. Additionally, guidance was to be introduced for agenda items presented at the board, expecting presenters to consider how their item links to the JHWS, how it highlights or addresses health and social inequalities, and how Health and Wellbeing Board partners can support or link in with the work. The report included the Health & Wellbeing Board Forward Plan for 2025-2026, listing forthcoming items for upcoming meetings, including the Director of Public Health's annual report on rural health inequalities, updates on the Physical Activity Strategy and Carers Strategy, and annual reports from various partnerships and services.