The Health and Wellbeing Board of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026 to discuss the Better Care Fund, neighbourhood health initiatives, the refreshed Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the Carers Strategy. Key decisions included the approval of the Better Care Fund's end-of-year performance report and its plan for the upcoming year, alongside noting progress on neighbourhood health development and endorsing the importance of continued joint working. The Board also noted and commented on the refreshed Carers Strategy and Action Plan, and the progress of Best Start Family Hubs.

Better Care Fund Performance and Future Plans

The Board approved the Better Care Fund (BCF) end-of-year report for 2025-26, noting performance metrics, achievements, and financial position. The pooled fund for 2025-26 was £159.4 million, with expenditure aligning with planned income. Several initiatives, including a plus-size equipment pilot and the Hertfordshire Equipment Service, were highlighted for their significant return on investment. The Board also approved the BCF plan for 2026-27, which aligns with neighbourhood health priorities, including intermediate care. The plan aims to support prevention and early intervention, helping people to remain independent and well in their homes for longer. The Board noted that demand increased significantly during the heatwaves in May and June, placing additional pressure on both community and hospital services, and acknowledged the ongoing operational challenges and the need for continued adaptation and planning. Discussions also touched upon the impact of local government reorganisation on future planning.

Neighbourhood Health Update

An update was provided on the development of Neighbourhood Health Teams across the Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Hertfordshire. The Board noted the progress made in developing these teams, including work to align ICB and Hertfordshire plans, and the ambition to test, codify, and scale Neighbourhood Health Teams across Hertfordshire and the wider system. Key national planning submissions, including the Better Care Fund and Primary Care Action Plan, were highlighted as supporting this development. The Board endorsed the importance of continued joint working between the CE ICB, Hertfordshire County Council, and wider system partners, including through established neighbourhood forums and Health and Care Partnerships, to ensure alignment of local and system priorities. Discussions also addressed the importance of a preventative approach, the need for community involvement in identifying solutions, and the potential for neighbourhood health centres to integrate with existing community assets. Concerns were raised about the language used, such as frailty, and the need to ensure a focus on children and young people within neighbourhood health plans.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Progress

The Board received an update on the review of progress against the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-26. The strategy has been extended to March 2028. A stakeholder survey received 153 responses, with the highest engagement in the priority area of Good emotional and mental wellbeing throughout life. The refreshed Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) has also been published. A more comprehensive report detailing the findings of the survey and the JSNA, along with recommendations for future priorities, will be presented at the next Board meeting.

Refresh of the Hertfordshire Carers Strategy and Action Plan

The Board was presented with a refreshed, all-age Hertfordshire Carers Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2028. Developed through co-production with carers and partners, the strategy focuses on five key outcomes: Be informed, A life beyond caring, Maintain health and wellbeing, Receive consistent, joined-up services, and the newly added Being safe. The strategy acknowledges the significant value of unpaid carers and aims to support their wellbeing and help them balance caring with their own needs. Discussions highlighted the importance of integrated working, early identification of carers, and the specific needs of young carers, including their transition into adulthood. The Board agreed to note and comment on the proposed strategy and action plan and endorse both.

Best Start Family Hubs Progress Update

An update was provided on the development and delivery of Best Start Family Hubs (BSFH) in Hertfordshire, aligning with the Every child has the best start in life priority. The initial phase focuses on Stevenage and Watford, building on the existing Family Centre Service. The hubs aim to integrate health, education, and social care services, with a focus on early intervention and support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Board agreed to identify how they could support the strengthening of connections between midwifery and BSFHs as part of a more holistic antenatal pathway; foster a stronger culture of health, children's services and public health services working together, forming matrix teams within BSFH which would enable information sharing between professionals supporting families, earlier triaging to targeted and specialist support for some families and prevention of escalation; health partners actively identifying and referring families into BSFHs, particularly the Evidenced Based Interventions (EBIs); ensuring children, young people (CYP) and families are reflected in Neighbourhood Health plans, including referencing good level of development; plans for Neighbourhood Health Centres and Mental Health Neighbourhood Centres fully exploit opportunities for integration with BSFHs, ensuring key community assets are working together to support families; and health services identified to support infants, children and families accept referrals from Family Centre Service in the same manner they accept referrals from primary care and other professional referrals. A report on this business will be considered by the Children and Families Cabinet Panel at its autumn 2026 meeting.

Hertfordshire VCFSE Alliance Conference Update

Adam Thapar, Director of the Hertfordshire VCFSE Alliance, provided an update on the outcomes of the Alliance's conference. The conference confirmed a strong appetite within the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to work as equal partners with statutory bodies. Key messages included a desire to move beyond engagement to genuine partnership, a commitment to delivering preventative services, and a need for stronger collaboration and connectivity between statutory services and community organisations. The value of community insight in informing strategic decision-making was also emphasised. The Alliance plans to establish thematic groups to focus on areas such as prevention, neighbourhood working, and mental health. The Board agreed to note and comment on the feedback from the VCFSE Alliance conference.

Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Boards Progress Highlight Reports

The Board reviewed the progress highlight reports from its five sub-boards for the period April to June 2026. These reports summarised key activities and achievements. The Board agreed to note, comment on and approve the Quarter One 2026/27 highlight reports, including the progress and achievements of each Sub-Board, and to note and comment on the feedback from the recent Health and Wellbeing Board Community of Practice session.