The Health and Wellbeing Board met on 4 March 2026 to discuss the Better Care Fund monitoring report, plans for delivering neighbourhood health in Stockport for 2026/27, and an update on the One Stockport Active Communities Strategy. The Board approved the Q3 2025-26 End of Year Reporting Template for the Better Care Fund and noted the financial performance for the quarter. They also discussed plans for delivering neighbourhood health in Stockport for 2026/27 and received an update on the One Stockport Active Communities Strategy.

Better Care Fund Monitoring Report 2025/26 Quarter 3

The Board received an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Paul Buckley, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, presented the report, highlighting that the Q3 template had been submitted on time. The report indicated similar themes to Q2 regarding underspends. A key development mentioned was the announcement of additional government funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant, with Stockport receiving approximately £252,000 for mandatory adaptations and capital investment programmes for adult social care in the 2025/26 financial year. This funding is expected to support projects like the independent living centre at Fred Perry House.

The Board was asked to approve the BCF 2025-26 End of Year Reporting Template and note the financial performance up to 31 December 2025. Councillor Grenville Page raised a question about potential changes to how the BCF may operate in the future, beyond its current format. It was explained that a wider piece of work was underway across Greater Manchester (GM) to look at locality grants and how funds might transition over the next 12-18 months, aiming for consistency in how BCF is committed to other GM locality partners. This work will inform planning for 2026/27 and beyond. The Board approved the Q3 2025-26 End of Year Reporting Template and noted the financial performance.

Delivering Neighbourhood Health in Stockport 2026/27

Gareth Lord, Strategy, Planning and Performance at Stockport Locality, NHS Greater Manchester, presented the draft Neighbourhood Health Plan and the One Health and Care Delivery Plan for 2026/27. These plans outline the health and care priorities for the upcoming year, detailing how partners will work together to deliver strategic commissioning intentions led by NHS GM.

The plans are structured around four main themes:

1. Enhancing the neighbourhood health model to provide proactive and preventative health and care, including the development of LiveWell hubs and embedding integration networks.
2. Improving intermediate care to support hospital flow and demand, focusing on a new purpose-built facility at St. Thomas', optimising urgent neighbourhood services, and maintaining a community urgent treatment centre.
3. Improving the town centre health and care offer through planning for a new town centre health hub, launching the One Stockport Independent Living Centre, and trialling tech-enabled care.
4. Improving support for children, young people, and their families, particularly those with additional needs, through the implementation of the Family First Partnership Programme.

Councillor Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, raised questions about the proposed town centre primary care hub, clarifying if it was the same as a previously discussed additional hospital site. Philippa Johnson explained that while initial funding for a hospital in the town centre was not secured, the current focus is on a primary care and community neighbourhood health hub, with a capital bid submitted. She highlighted the ambition to support town centre regeneration and address the needs of approximately 8,000 new homes planned for the area. Councillor Oliver also expressed concerns about the realism and essential nature of the primary care hub in the coming years, given existing pressures on services like Stepping Hill Hospital. Paul Buckley from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the ongoing estate master planning for Stepping Hill Hospital and the need for a different form of town centre health provision.

Councillor Oliver also raised concerns about the meaningfulness of co-production and the lack of leadership in communication and community engagement, citing parking issues around Stepping Hill Hospital as an example. He requested examples of genuine co-production work. Philippa Johnson apologised for any communication issues and committed to discussing community engagement separately.

Councillor Grenville Page applauded the ambition of the neighbourhood health plans but questioned the capacity for whole-scale transformation, leadership, and culture change required. He also highlighted challenges with the GP contract and the fragmentation of the voluntary and community sector. Gareth Lord responded by outlining ongoing work at the executive level to evolve partnerships and acknowledged the benefit of being part of the National Neighbourhood Implementation Programme.

Sarah Dillon, Director of Adult Social Care, addressed Councillor Oliver's point on co-production by mentioning the ongoing work to manage the Healthwatch role and review engagement practices across the system. Councillor Oliver further raised the issue of VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) sector representation on the Board, noting a lack of attendance despite invitations. The Chair acknowledged this point and stated that it would be followed up.

One Stockport Active Communities Implementation Update

Russ Bowler, Strategic Lead for Physical Activity within Public Health, presented an update on the ONE Stockport Active Communities Strategy, Stockport Moving Together. The report highlighted the importance of a whole-system approach and its alignment with national, GM, and local strategic priorities.

Key data points included:

• Approximately 80,000 adults in Stockport are not active enough to maintain their health and wellbeing.
• Rates of inactivity are showing encouraging signs of reduction.
• Nearly half of children are not meeting recommended physical activity levels.

The report detailed ongoing implementation efforts, including:

• Active Pathways: A model to support individuals who don't meet the criteria for commissioned services but need mentoring and coaching to become more active.
• Creating Active Schools: Working with schools to increase physical activity throughout the day and curriculum.
• Active Hospitals: Initiatives at Stepping Hill Hospital to reduce sedentary behaviour and promote movement.
• Environmental Work: Opportunities through the Mersey Development Corporation and the local plan to promote an active environment.

Councillor Dan Oliver inquired about the demographic breakdown of inactivity. Russ Bowler confirmed that a deep-dive workshop had been held, revealing that inactivity is greater in areas of deprivation, among women and girls, and with individuals with disabilities. He also noted higher inactivity in areas with greater ethnic diversity, even in more affluent areas.

Councillor Oliver also suggested being stricter with half providers (likely referring to providers of physical activity programmes) and their criteria, targeting neighbourhood-level provision. Russ Bowler responded by mentioning work with Seashell Trust to upskill providers for SEND inclusion and that the requirement for providers to be more inclusive is being considered.

The Board noted the report and acknowledged the challenges in facilitating sustained system change for residents experiencing complex inequalities. They also recognised the opportunities to improve population and individual health outcomes through a system-wide commitment to Stockport Moving Together.

Future Meeting Dates and Forward Plan

The Board noted the proposed meeting dates for the Health & Wellbeing Board for 2026/27 and 2027/28. They also considered the Forward Plan of agenda items for future meetings and were invited to put forward any suggestions for upcoming agendas.