The Health and Well-being Board of Northumberland Council met on Thursday, 12 March 2026, to discuss the Director of Public Health's annual report on rural health inequalities and to review the board's forward planning. The board resolved to accept and endorse the findings of the Rural Realities report and agreed to a revised approach for its forward planning and reporting.

Rural Realities: Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025

The Board considered the Director of Public Health's (DPH) Annual Report for 2025, titled Rural Realities, which focuses on health inequalities in rural Northumberland. Councillor Eve Louise Chicken, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, introduced the report, highlighting its alignment with the council's corporate plan to tackle inequalities and promote opportunities for all residents.

The report, presented by Gill O'Neill, Executive Director for Public Health, Inequalities & Stronger Communities, details the unique challenges and strengths of rural communities in Northumberland. It notes that approximately half of Northumberland's population lives in rural areas, with a demographic profile that includes an older population compared to urban areas. While rural areas benefit from natural assets, strong community ties, and certain industries like farming and tourism, they also face challenges such as distance from services, limited transport options, housing affordability, and digital connectivity issues.

Key themes explored in the report include:

• Empowering Rural Communities: The report advocates for an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, focusing on existing community strengths and fostering collaboration through initiatives like Communities First.
• Services Closer to Rural Communities: Strategies to bring services nearer to rural residents are discussed, including the enhancement of village halls as community hubs, the provision of Warm Hubs, and the expansion of health outreach and digital support services. Case studies highlight the success of integrated family hubs and the adaptation of leisure and library services for rural accessibility.
• Supporting Rural Mobility: The report addresses the vital need for accessible transport options in rural areas, acknowledging the reliance on family, friends, neighbours, community transport, and bus services. It highlights the challenges of maintaining rural bus networks and showcases community-led transport schemes like the Church and Community Partnership's Volunteer Driver Scheme and WATBus.
• Improving Rural Housing Quality and Affordability: The importance of warm, safe, and affordable housing is emphasised, with plans to upgrade energy efficiency in homes and provide adaptable housing for older residents. Community-led property schemes and housing support systems are also featured.
• Growing Rural Economies: The report outlines strategies to enhance the rural economy through strengthening industries, supporting employment, revitalising towns, boosting the visitor economy, and promoting sustainable employment. Initiatives like the Rural Asset Multiplier Programme (RAMP) and the Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) are mentioned, alongside the Great Northumberland Forest project and the Borderlands Place Programme.
• Building Rural Health, Wellbeing and Resilience: This section focuses on specific groups within rural communities, including those with alcohol or substance misuse issues and their carers, highlighting the impact of services like ESCAPE Family Support. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme and initiatives supporting farming communities are also discussed.

The Board was asked to consider the report's content, comment on how Health and Wellbeing Board partners can support rural communities, and endorse the findings. The report was accepted and endorsed by the Board.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Planning

The Board discussed proposed changes to its forward planning and reporting mechanisms. G. O'Neill presented a plan to move from an annual report on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy's core themes to a two-year forward plan. This revised approach aims to proactively identify how actions and indicators will be reported on, encourage deeper discussion through closed sessions, avoid duplication, and provide opportunities for all partners to present. Standard guidance for agenda items, including three key questions, will also be introduced.

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Board support the proposed approach to forward planning and reporting.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

The Board reviewed its forward plan for the 2025/26 council year.

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan be noted.

The next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled for Thursday, 9 April 2026, at 10.00 a.m.