The Committee in Common between Cornwall Health and Wellbeing Board and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Partnership met on Tuesday 2 June 2026 to discuss a range of significant topics. Key among these were the Cornwall Local Area SEND Reform Plan, a discussion paper on the Health Bill, and an update on Cornwall Council's Care Quality Commission Adult Social Care Inspection outcome. Other scheduled discussions included the Supported and Specialist Housing Programme, and highlight reports from various steering groups.

Cornwall Local Area SEND Reform Plan: Submission to Government

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to the Cornwall Local Area SEND Reform Plan, with the intention of submitting it to the Department for Education. The report pack indicated that the plan aims to address increasing demand and unmet needs among children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), which has led to a reactive system heavily reliant on late intervention and high-cost provision. The plan proposes a shift towards earlier intervention, greater inclusion, and stronger integration across education, health, and care services. It outlines a whole-system transformation programme focused on moving from crisis-led responses to earlier, more coordinated, and preventative support. The report recommended endorsing the plan in principle, agreeing on shared system ownership between the Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and noting the implications for workforce, finances, and delivery risks. It also supported a move towards earlier intervention, integrated delivery, and prevention, as well as continued engagement with the Government on outstanding dependencies and uncertainties.

Discussion Paper on the Health Bill

The committee was scheduled to consider a discussion paper on the Health Bill, introduced on 14 May 2026. This bill was described as representing a fundamental reset of the NHS operating model in England, aiming for clearer national accountability, greater consolidation of commissioning by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and stronger place-based influence through Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The paper highlighted that the bill dismantles the current architecture centred on NHS England, transferring responsibilities to the Secretary of State and ICBs. It also noted the removal of existing system-level mechanisms like Integrated Care Partnerships and Integrated Care Strategies, replacing them with Neighbourhood Health Plans (NbHPs) as the foundation for planning. The paper posed key strategic questions for both the Council and the ICB regarding how to translate enhanced statutory positions into real influence, ensure alignment between system-scale commissioning and place-based priorities, and maintain community voice following the abolition of Healthwatch.

Update on Cornwall Council's Care Quality Commission Adult Social Care Inspection Outcome

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the outcome of Cornwall Council's Adult Social Care inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The report indicated that the inspection had taken place in June 2025, following the CQC's Single Assessment Framework. At the time of the report, the outcome was embargoed pending publication by the CQC, which was anticipated for 29 May 2026. The report suggested that the inspection outcome was expected to reflect a credible and improved position, with clear strengths identified alongside areas requiring further development and consistency. The findings were intended to inform the Council's Adult Social Care Continuous Improvement Plan and joint commissioning and system planning arrangements with the ICB.

Supported and Specialist Housing - Year 2

Progress on the Supported and Specialist Housing Programme was also scheduled for discussion. Cornwall Council and the ICB have adopted a long-term strategy to deliver approximately 48,000 supported and specialist homes by 2050. The report for this item provided a summary of progress made in the second year of the programme, noting that delivery momentum was building with 50 schemes progressed or completed, providing 1,499 units. The programme has a strong pipeline, particularly in extra care and working-age adult provision, and is transitioning to sustained delivery at scale with clear governance and strengthened partnerships. The report highlighted the programme's role as a key enabler of wider system sustainability across housing, health, and social care.

Highlight Report from the Life Course Steering Groups and Integrated Commissioning Partnership Group

The committee was also set to receive highlight reports from the Life Course Steering Groups (Start Well, Live Well, and Age Well ) and the Integrated Commissioning Partnership Group (ICPG). The Start Well group reported progress in areas such as child poverty, mental health support teams in schools, early years readiness, youth transitions, and SEND reform. The Live Well group noted the delivery of a physical activity pilot, the completion of the Home Ownership for Learning Disabilities (HOLD) project, and the commencement of a community-led neighbourhood engagement programme. The Age Well steering group had not convened since the previous meeting, with a report expected in October. A verbal update was anticipated from the ICPG.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, minutes of the previous meeting, and public questions.