The Health and Well-being Board of Northumberland Council was scheduled to discuss two key strategies: the Northumberland Physical Activity Strategy 2026-2031 and the Northumberland Commitment to Carers Strategy 2025-2030. The meeting was also set to review the Board's forward plan.

Northumberland Physical Activity Strategy 2026-2031

The Board was scheduled to consider the draft Northumberland Physical Activity Strategy 2026-2031, which aims to tackle physical inactivity across the county. The strategy has been developed with input from key partners and residents, and the Board was to be updated on its progress. The report presented to the Board outlined the strategy's purpose, its links to key corporate priorities such as tackling inequalities and driving economic growth, and its alignment with the Northumberland Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The strategy proposes a coordinated approach focusing on three interconnected themes: Active Communities, Active Places, and Active Systems.

• Active Communities aims to support residents in building activity into their daily lives through community-led initiatives, promoting positive messages about movement, and expanding inclusive opportunities.
• Active Places focuses on shaping environments to make daily movement easier and more attractive, including aligning with active travel priorities and embedding active design principles in planning.
• Active Systems outlines the necessary system-wide changes to embed physical activity into policy, practice, and everyday interactions, strengthening signposting and workforce confidence.

The report recommended that the Board acknowledge the strategy as the county's framework for increasing activity and reducing inequalities, support the establishment of a multi-agency Physical Activity Strategy Group, and endorse four immediate priority areas for the first one to two years. These priorities include the implementation of the Healthy Communities Programme, the development of place-based approaches around schools, targeted improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure, and shaping Sport England's funded Place Universal Offer. The Board was also asked to commit to embedding physical activity within member agencies' policies and to receive annual progress reports.

Northumberland Commitment to Carers Strategy 2025-2030

The Board was also scheduled to review the multi-agency Northumberland Commitment to Carers Strategy 2025-2030. This strategy aims to set the direction for how partner organisations in Northumberland will work together to support unpaid carers. The report highlighted that unpaid carers provide vital care and support, and the health and care system would not function without them. The strategy's vision is for Northumberland to be a place where carers are recognised, valued, and included, and can access the right opportunities, information, and support at the right time.

The strategy was developed with input from unpaid carers and outlines five key priorities:

• Listening to the voices of carers.
• Providing accurate and accessible information and advice for carers.
• Increasing opportunities to identify carers and reduce barriers to accessing support.
• Working collaboratively to provide the right support at the right time for carers.
• Continuing to enhance the quality of support and services for carers.

The report recommended that the Board comment on the strategy, particularly the objectives aligned with each of the five priorities, and agree to receive future updates on its implementation.

Health and Wellbeing Board – Forward Plan

The Board was also scheduled to review its forward plan for forthcoming agenda items at future meetings. The forward plan indicated upcoming discussions on topics such as the Annual Report of the Principal Social Worker (Adults), the Public Mental Health Strategy, the Gambling Strategy, and the Sexual Health Strategy progress report. It also noted a planned development session for the Local Plan. Regular reports on various health and wellbeing initiatives were also listed, including updates on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy thematic groups and annual reports from various partnerships and services.