The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund, tobacco control pledges, and the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people. The Board will also receive updates on Healthwatch City of London's progress and partnership developments for City and Hackney.

Better Care Fund 2025-26 End of Year Return and 2026-27 Plan

The Board is scheduled to consider the Better Care Fund (BCF) for the City of London. This includes reviewing the end-of-year return for 2025-26, which summarises performance against national metrics, and approving the plan for 2026-27. The BCF is a national programme that requires integrated care boards and local authorities to pool budgets and agree joint plans for integrating health and social care services. The report indicates that performance in 2025-26 was strong, with all national metric goals met or exceeded. The 2026-27 plan reflects national BCF reforms, with updated guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care. The BCF will become part of Neighbourhood Plans as set out in the NHS 10 Year Plan. The Board is asked to approve both the 2025-26 End of Year Return and the 2026-27 Plan.

Signing up to the Local Government Declaration and Smoke Free Pledge on Tobacco Control

A report is scheduled for discussion regarding the City of London Corporation signing up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control and the Smoke Free Pledge. Tobacco smoking is identified as the biggest cause of preventable illness and premature death in England, and a leading cause of health inequalities. The Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control is a public commitment aligned with the government's Smokefree 2030 ambition, committing local authorities to seven principles for effective tobacco control. The Smoke Free Pledge shares a similar aim: A UK where no one is harmed by tobacco, where children grow up free from tobacco addiction, and where support to quit is provided in every community. The primary benefit of signing these is to provide a mandate for enhanced collaboration between partners through the City and Hackney Tobacco Control Alliance (TCA), and to make a public commitment to protecting communities from tobacco-related harm. The report notes that over 130 authorities have adopted the Declaration, including Hackney Council. The Health and Wellbeing Board is asked to endorse the Declaration and Pledge for onward approval and signing by the Town Clerk and Chief Executive, the Policy Chairman, and the Director of Public Health.

Healthwatch City of London Progress Report

The Board is scheduled to receive a progress report from Healthwatch City of London, detailing their work from January to May 2026. Healthwatch is a statutory mechanism intended to strengthen the collective voice of users of health and social care services. The report outlines the organisation's activities, including engagement work, patient panels, and projects such as the Portsoken Health Literacy Project and research into the availability of defibrillators in the City. The report also touches upon the future of Healthwatch, noting that recent revisions to the Health and Social Care Act propose the abolition of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations. Healthwatch City of London is exploring how to provide a Healthwatch function should these changes be accepted.

Committing to Collective Action: A Vision and Proposal for Improving Population Health, Prevention and Health Equity in City and Hackney

A joint report from the City and Hackney Director of Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer of Homerton NHS Trust is scheduled for discussion. This report proposes the creation of a dedicated, cross-partnership 'Institute for Change' (IfC) for City and Hackney. The aim is to formalise how system-wide work around prevention and population health is driven forward and reported on to the place-based partnership, enabling a robust, evidence-based approach to system change. The proposal suggests that the IfC would integrate and scale up enabling functions crucial for systemic population health improvement, reporting to the Population Health and Health Inequalities Strategic Partnership (PHHISP) and the City and Hackney Place-based Partnership. The report highlights the need for additional dedicated capacity in areas such as behaviour change science, innovation, and academic research links. The Board is asked to support this proposal and commit to the required actions and resources.

Health Inequalities in Portsoken

This report summarises key data on the population characteristics and health outcomes relevant to the Portsoken ward in the east of the City. This information will be published as part of a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for the City of London. The report also includes a summary of community insights gathered to provide context to the health and wellbeing needs of the local resident population. Several community-focused projects and programmes are underway in Portsoken, aiming to deepen understanding and build trusted relationships with the local population to improve population health outcomes. Specific recommendations emerging from this work are expected to be brought back to the Board in the autumn. The Board is asked to note the report, support the continuation of the projects, and endorse the proposals for future reporting.

ELFT's Adult Mental Health Arrangements & Offer

The Board is scheduled to receive information regarding East London Foundation Trust's (ELFT) updated service offer and arrangements for adult mental health support. This refresh has been driven by feedback from service users, carers, staff, and partners, with the aim of creating more integrated, responsive, and accessible services, delivering more care closer to home. The updated model seeks to strengthen neighbourhood working, better address health inequalities, clarify eligibility criteria, and improve referral and assessment processes. The report highlights that the new model intends to more effectively address health inequalities, with a focus on clinical models and disparities in access, experience, and outcomes affecting different population groups. The Board is asked to provide feedback on these proposed changes.

Children and Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing

This report provides an update on the Children and Young People's Mental Health Needs Assessment and the ongoing development of a new Emotional Health and Wellbeing strategy and action plan for City of London and Hackney for 2027 to 2032. The needs assessment identified a rise in youth mental health challenges and demographic inequalities, necessitating a proactive, coordinated response. The draft strategy proposes a four-pillar framework focusing on prevention and early intervention, equity of access and anti-racist practice, vulnerable groups, and crisis, complexity, and transition. City-specific recommendations have also been developed. The Board is asked to consider the findings and recommendations, comment on the City-specific actions, and provide input on the draft strategy and action plan.

*Next Steps in Partnership Development for City and Hackney

This report, from the City & Hackney Place-based Partnership, outlines the evolving partnership structures. It notes that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) is transitioning to a NEL-wide strategic commissioning organisation, meaning there will no longer be a health commissioning function at a local 'place' level. Places will be responsible for delivery, with a focus on Neighbourhoods and the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans. The report proposes re-defining partnership governance to embed it within City and Hackney, allowing for greater local autonomy and a meaningful say for all partners. The Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) are expected to have an expanded remit, including responsibility for the development and delivery of Neighbourhood Health Plans, while the Partnership Board will have a stronger remit around delivery. The Board is asked to note these changes, consider the wider implications for health systems, and consider its own role within the revised partnership governance.

*Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan 2026-27

The Board is scheduled to note the Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan for 2026-27. This plan outlines how the City Corporation will deliver its regulatory functions for food safety, occupational health and safety, and public health controls arising from commercial activities. The plan focuses on high-risk establishments and aims to ensure businesses operate safely for customers and employees. The service will continue to prioritise high-risk and non-compliant establishments, deliver planned interventions, investigate complaints, and support businesses through the Primary Authority scheme. The report indicates no additional revenue or capital spending is required, with the plan to be met from existing budgets.

*Port Health Food Enforcement Service Plan 2026-27

The Board is also scheduled to note the Port Health Food Enforcement Service Plan for 2026-27. This plan details the London Port Health Authority's (LPHA) approach to food safety and standards controls within its jurisdiction, which includes ports along the River Thames. The LPHA regulates food businesses within its area and carries out risk-based import controls. The plan outlines the service's aims, objectives, and planned interventions, including documentary, identity, and physical checks on imported food and feed. The report highlights the increasing workload due to growth in trade and the implementation of new border control models. The LPHA will continue to meet its obligations to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and maintain its risk-based approach to enforcement. No additional revenue or capital spending is required.