The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund plan for 2026-27, the role of the Board in Neighbourhood Development, and the Forward Work Plan. The meeting will also cover the retrospective sign-off of the Better Care Fund plan, which was submitted ahead of formal approval due to timing constraints.

Better Care Fund 26-27 Plan Submission

A significant item on the agenda is the retrospective sign-off of the 2026/27 Better Care Fund (BCF) plan. This fund is a key mechanism for integrating health and social care services, aiming to improve residents' health outcomes by supporting them to stay well at home, facilitating hospital discharge, and ensuring care is delivered at the right time and in the right place. The plan, which was submitted on 19 May 2026 to meet national deadlines, requires formal endorsement from the Health and Wellbeing Board. The BCF is comprised of three funding streams: the NHS Minimum Contribution, the Local Authority Better Care Grant, and the Disabled Facilities Grant. For 2026-27, the total pooled budget is £53,956,148. The report outlines how the plan aligns with national priorities such as Hospital to Home, Analog to Digital, and Sickness to Prevention, and demonstrates compliance with national conditions for integrated care, expenditure, and governance. Notable areas of increased investment include £792,000 more for the integrated Digital Health and Care Technology service, bringing its total BCF investment to £2,092,000, and £183,000 for Sensory support services. The Board will consider two options: approving the plan, which would allow funding to be released, or declining to approve it, which would necessitate a rapid reshaping of the plan. Officers recommend approving the plan to ensure the continued delivery of essential services.

Health and Wellbeing Board's Role in Neighbourhood Development

The Board is scheduled to receive a presentation from the Director of Public Health regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board's role in Neighbourhood Development. This discussion is expected to outline how the Board can contribute to the development of services within local neighbourhoods. The Greenwich Health and Care Partnership, with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust acting as the Health Host, is developing a neighbourhood operating model across four footprints: Central, East, South, and West. This model aims to bring care closer to residents, simplify access, and organise joined-up support around local needs. The new Health and Adults Services Vision for 2026 to 2031, with its pillars of Strength in People, Strength in Communities, and Strength in Diversity, provides a strategic framework for BCF commissioning and aligns with the Council's Our Greenwich missions. Public engagement has informed this direction, with residents highlighting the need for trusted community touchpoints and clear routes for contributing their lived experience.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Work Plan

The meeting will also introduce the Health and Wellbeing Board's Forward Work Plan for initial discussion. Members of the Board are invited to suggest priorities and future agenda items to help shape the plan. This will provide an opportunity for the Board to influence its future direction and ensure it addresses the most pressing health and wellbeing issues facing the borough.

The meeting will also include standard procedural items such as receiving apologies for absence, announcing any urgent business, and members declaring any interests. The minutes from the previous meeting on 10 March 2026 are also scheduled for confirmation.