The Health and Wellbeing Board of Leicestershire Council met on Monday 15 June 2026 to discuss progress on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, review the Better Care Fund, and consider various health protection and community wellbeing initiatives. Key decisions included noting progress on the Staying Healthy, Safe & Well priority, supporting the Physical Activity Framework, and approving plans for the Better Care Fund.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Progress Update

The Board noted the progress being made in delivering the Staying Healthy, Safe & Well priority of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) 2022-32. This strategy, which was revised in 2025, aims to improve health, wellbeing, and equity outcomes for Leicestershire residents across four life course stages: Best Start for Life, Staying Healthy, Safe and Well, Living and Supported Well, and Dying Well. The Staying Healthy, Safe & Well priority is divided into two areas: Building Strong Foundations (including Health in All Policies, Healthy Placemaking, Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Homes, and Healthy and Safe Communities) and Enabling Healthy Choices & Behaviours (including Healthy Choices and Behaviours, and Healthy Weight, Food and Nutrition).

Significant progress was highlighted in the Health in All Policies (HiAP) initiative, with Leicestershire County Council's pilot programme seeing over 260 learners complete training, leading to improved understanding of health inequalities. North West Leicestershire District Council is set to roll out the HiAP model, and Blaby District Council has formally agreed to adopt it. Leicestershire's HiAP approach has also informed other local authorities nationally, being recognised as a gold-standard example of practice. The Local Transport Plan for Leicestershire Core Document 2025–2040 has also formally adopted Enabling Health and Wellbeing as a core theme.

In Healthy Placemaking, a dedicated event brought together around 50 attendees from various sectors to discuss opportunities for creating healthy places. The re-establishment of the Healthy Placemaking Forum was agreed to reduce duplication and share best practice. The Work Well Programme has integrated 26 Work and Health Coaches into general practice to support individuals with health-related barriers to work, with 1,241 participants starting the programme between April 2025 and March 2026. The Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire programme has seen 38 organisations engaged in accreditation, with over 50 businesses completing a Workplace Health Needs Assessment.

Under Healthy Homes, the Warm Homes service successfully delivered Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 funding, completing £1.2 million in capital works. Local Energy Advice Demonstrator funding has also been secured to support uptake of government grant initiatives. The Housing and Respiratory Illness Project has received 102 cases between April 2025 and March 2026, leading to repairs and interventions. Homelessness pressures are noted as rising across the County and Rutland due to affordability issues and cost-of-living pressures.

In Healthy & Safe Communities, over 1,400 volunteers are supporting activities across Leicestershire. The Mission Ready: Supporting Families on the Move project was launched in January 2026 to improve access to information for Armed Forces Families. Over 70 made Neighbourhood Plans exist across Leicestershire, with more including Community Aspirations. Risk Ready Communities launched in March 2026 to support preparedness for emergency situations.

Regarding Enabling Healthy Choices & Behaviours, a Sexual Health plan is being developed by the L&R Sexual Health Steering Group. The Combating Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (CDAP) continues to meet regularly, and the integrated substance use treatment and recovery service is exceeding targets. Progress is being made on the Leicestershire Gambling Harms Health Needs Assessment recommendations, with screening processes introduced and training for professionals. The Active Together Partnership continues to deliver against its Physical Activity Framework (2022-2031), with a focus on inactive communities and addressing inequalities. Notable achievements include securing funding from Public Health and the ICB for physical activity offers and developing new relationships with Adult Social Care.

The report also noted progress against cross-cutting priorities, including Health Inequalities and Health Protection & Emergency Preparedness. For Health Inequalities, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) has consistently exceeded targets for Annual Health Checks for people with learning disabilities. A comprehensive Women's Health Needs Assessment has been undertaken, with final analysis underway. Under Health Protection & Emergency Preparedness, screening coverage in Leicestershire is significantly better than the national average, except for newborn screening. Vaccination uptake remains above national averages, with work continuing to improve timely uptake and tackle inequalities. EPRR arrangements continue to support preparedness for threats to human welfare.

Physical Activity Framework (2022-2031)

The Board supported the approach to reviewing and refreshing the Physical Activity Framework (2022-2031) and endorsed the collaborative systems approach to its delivery. Members were requested to champion physical activity within their respective organisations and partnerships, supporting a coordinated, place-based, and preventative approach. Engagement with the Physical Activity and Wellbeing Residents Survey was also encouraged. The framework, developed through consultation, aims to increase physical activity levels across Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland, with a particular focus on reducing inequality of access and tackling inactivity. A refresh of the framework is planned for 2026, with a revised version to be in place by April 2027.

Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025-26 Year End

The Board noted the performance against the Better Care Fund (BCF) outcome metrics and the positive progress made in transforming health and care pathways in 2025-26. The year-end BCF 2025-26 template was approved by the Chief Executive under delegated powers and submitted to NHS England by the deadline. The BCF income for 2025-26 totalled £84.4 million. Performance against BCF metrics showed that emergency admissions for people aged 65+ were on track, but the average length of discharge delay for all acute adult patients and admissions to residential and nursing care homes were not on target. The report confirmed that all four national conditions for the BCF plan were met.

Better Care Fund (BCF) 2026-27 Plan

The Board noted the contents of the report and the Better Care Fund Plan 2026-27 numerical template and narrative document. The Chief Executive of Leicestershire County Council used delegated powers to approve the plan for submission prior to the deadline. The BCF Plan for 2026-27 totals £86.5 million, including £5.7 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant. The plan outlines goals for non-elective admissions and discharge delays, with a focus on preventing avoidable long-term care home admissions and improving reablement outcomes. The BCF funding is directed towards strengthening integrated and preventative services, with approximately 66% of spend aligned to prevention services. The plan also details how BCF funding will contribute to achieving these goals, including investments in the DHU falls car, Steady Steps/Fame/Active Together programmes, and VCSE sector support. Robust joint governance arrangements are in place for managing BCF expenditure, including assessing impact, value for money, and continuous improvement.

Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) Offer

The Board recognised the strategic contribution of Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in supporting prevention, reducing health inequalities, and enhancing community resilience. Continued partnership working between statutory organisations and the VCSE sector via VAL was supported, and stronger VCSE involvement in neighbourhood health planning, commissioning, and integrated care arrangements was encouraged. VAL supported 791 VCSE organisations in Leicestershire during 2025-26, with a significant estimated social value generated through volunteering and employability support programmes.

Healthwatch Leicestershire Report - Improving Hospital Discharge

The Board noted the findings and recommendations from Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire's report on improving hospital discharge. The report highlighted that 58% of respondents felt involved in discharge discussions, but 38% lacked clear information about follow-up care. Medication delays were a common cause of frustration, and only 16% of carers were informed of their right to a Carers' Assessment. The Board was asked to support system partners in using this learning to inform ongoing discharge improvement, patient experience, and inequality-reduction work. Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire will continue to gather feedback to assess progress.

Carers' Strategy Consultation

The Board noted the development of the draft Leicestershire Carers Strategy 2026-2030 and considered its draft priorities and implementation plan. The strategy aims to recognise, value, and support carers, providing them with accurate, timely, and relevant information and advice, and ensuring they are supported with their wellbeing and access services when needed. Key themes identified through engagement activities included the need for recognition of the caring role, respite from caring responsibilities, tackling loneliness and isolation, easier access to services, and support for young carers. The strategy will be redrafted following public consultation and commissioned services are expected to commence in May 2027.

Health Protection Annual Report 2025

The Board noted the annual Health Protection Report 2025, which provides an overview of health protection activity in Leicestershire. The report recognised key health protection issues, actions taken, and areas of focus for 2026. COVID-19 activity remained low, with a small autumn wave. Measles cases were low locally, and preparedness measures are in place for Mpox. Pertussis activity was substantially lower than the 2024 peak. Childhood immunisation coverage remains above the England average, though a downward trend and inequalities in uptake require attention. Screening coverage for breast and bowel cancer is improving, while cervical screening is trending downwards. Sexual health services have a new integrated provider, and while Leicestershire rates are lower than England for syphilis and gonorrhoea, HIV late diagnosis is high. TB burden is generally below the England average, with a focus on earlier recognition and targeted approaches. Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) show mixed results, with some areas breaching thresholds but the overall system rated green. Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) arrangements are coordinated through the LRF and LHRP, with system partners participating in pandemic preparedness exercises. Poor air quality is identified as a major environmental risk, with an action plan in place. Priorities for 2026 include maintaining and improving immunisation programmes, addressing screening inequalities, strengthening HIV testing, continuing TB targeted approaches, maintaining preparedness capabilities, and implementing the air quality action plan.

The next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled for Thursday 17 September 2026.