The Health and Wellbeing Board of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026 to discuss the Better Care Fund's end-of-year performance and future plans, alongside updates on Neighbourhood Health initiatives and the refresh of the Carers Strategy. Key decisions included the approval of the Better Care Fund's 2025-26 performance report and the 2026-27 plan, and the endorsement of the refreshed All Age Carers Strategy and Action Plan.

Better Care Fund Performance and Plans

The Board reviewed the Better Care Fund's (BCF) end-of-year performance for 2025-26 and approved its plan for 2026-27. Hayley King, Senior Programme Manager at Hertfordshire County Council, presented the findings, highlighting strong performance against national metrics, particularly in reducing discharge delays and long-term admissions to residential care. While emergency admissions for those over 65 met local targets, there was an identified need to strengthen preventative support. The pooled fund for 2025-26 amounted to approximately £159.4 million, with expenditure fully aligned to planned income. The 2026-27 plan prioritises prevention, independence, neighbourhood-based care, and support for unpaid carers, aligning with the NHS Operating Plan and Hertfordshire's Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Board approved both the 2025-26 report and the 2026-27 plan.

Neighbourhood Health Update

Ed Knowles, Director of Neighbourhood, Place and Partnerships for the Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB), provided an update on the development of Neighbourhood Health across Hertfordshire. The report outlined national planning developments, local partnership activity, and opportunities for engagement. The initial focus for Neighbourhood Health Teams will be on frailty, with a plan to develop a model that can be applied to other cohorts. The Board noted the progress made in establishing governance structures, including the upcoming Neighbourhood Health Delivery Committee, and endorsed the importance of continued joint working between the ICB, County Council, and other partners. Key national planning submissions, including the Better Care Fund, Primary Care Action Plan, and Neighbourhood Health Centres pipeline, were highlighted as supporting this agenda.

Refresh of the Hertfordshire Carers Strategy and Action Plan

Tim Knapper and Sue Chapman from Hertfordshire County Council presented the refreshed All Age Carers Strategy and Action Plan. The strategy, developed through extensive co-production with carers, focuses on five key outcomes: being informed, having a life beyond caring, maintaining health and wellbeing, receiving consistent joined-up services, and being safe. The Board was invited to note and comment on the proposed strategy and action plan, and to endorse both. The strategy acknowledges the significant value of unpaid carers and aims to support their wellbeing while balancing their caring roles with their own needs. The action plan will be delivered within existing resources and monitored by a multi-agency Carers Strategy Steering Group.

Best Start Family Hubs Progress Update

Aideen Dunne, Assistant Director/Consultant in Public Health, and Pablo Benvenutto, Strategy Manager, Early Years at Hertfordshire County Council, provided an update on the development of Best Start Family Hubs (BSFH). The programme aims to improve early years outcomes, with Hertfordshire setting ambitious targets for children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by age five. The county is building on its existing Family Centre Service, with initial hubs being developed in Stevenage and Watford. The hubs will integrate health, education, and social care services, with a focus on early intervention, evidence-based programmes, and strengthened partnerships. The Board was asked to endorse recommendations for strengthening connections between midwifery and BSFHs, fostering collaborative working, and ensuring children and young people are reflected in neighbourhood health plans.

Hertfordshire VCFSE Alliance Conference Update

Adam Thapar, Director of Hertfordshire's VCFSE Alliance, provided a verbal update on the outcomes of the Alliance conference held in May. The conference highlighted the VCFSE sector's appetite for partnership working, a strong desire to deliver on prevention, and the importance of collaboration. Key themes included the need for improved navigation of services, the value of community insight in strategic decision-making, and the risk of losing grassroots support during local government reorganisation. The Alliance presented three core asks to the Board: to continue recognising the VCFSE sector as a strategic partner, to support stronger connectivity between statutory services and community organisations, and to create opportunities for community insight to influence strategic decision-making.

Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Boards Progress Highlight Reports

Christine Oker, Senior Programme Manager at Hertfordshire County Council, presented the Quarter One 2026-27 highlight reports from the HWB Sub-Boards. The reports summarised key activities and achievements from the Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership Board, Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Board, Children and Young People's Commissioning Oversight Group, and the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity Health and Care Partnership. Feedback from the Health and Wellbeing Board Community of Practice session was also shared, emphasizing the importance of embedding the VCFSE sector within neighbourhood health models and the need for better data sharing to evidence VCFSE activity. The Board was asked to note, comment on, and approve the highlight reports, and to advise if any areas would benefit from a more detailed review.

The meeting concluded with the Board noting the recommendations from the various reports and the schedule for future meetings.