The Adult Social Care, Health and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on 2 September 2025 to discuss the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, neighbourhood health, public health, and the committee's work programme. The committee was scheduled to receive presentations on the development and priorities of the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, and on the work of Integrated Care Northamptonshire to develop and deliver neighbourhood-based health and care services. They were also scheduled to consider and approve their draft work programme for the 2025-26 municipal year.

Public Health Priorities, Risks and Challenges

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation giving an overview of priorities, risks and challenges relating to the Public Health function in West Northamptonshire. Public health aims to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of the population, prevent health problems, and reduce health inequalities¹.

Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation giving an overview of the priorities and development of the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). Integrated Care Boards are statutory bodies that bring together NHS organisations and local authorities to plan and deliver joined up health and care services to improve people’s health and wellbeing².

Neighbourhood Health and New Models of Care Programme

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation giving an overview of work by Integrated Care Northamptonshire to develop and deliver neighbourhood-based health and care services. Integrated Care Northamptonshire is a partnership of health and social care organisations working together to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Northamptonshire³.

Committee Work Programme 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to consider and approve its draft work programme for the 2025-26 municipal year. According to the draft work programme, the committee planned to discuss the following topics at future meetings:

• Priorities and challenges relating to the delivery of Adult Social Care. The Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health, and Regulatory Services was expected to present their priorities and challenges for the delivery of Adult Social Care.
• The Community Safety Partnership Annual Report.
• The outcomes of the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) inspection of the council's Adult Social Care function. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England⁴.
• Adult Social Care workforce planning, and recruitment activities into skilled roles within care services.
• The quarterly performance of the council's Adult Social Care function, including performance reporting, budgeting, and demand forecasting.
• The council's priorities and progress for providing services supporting the principle of prevention.
• The development of the council's Community Funding Grants Programme and the priorities for grant allocations set by the council.
• The formulation and implementation of the council's Domestic Abuse Strategy, as required by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021⁵.
• Communication regarding the services the council provides across its Adult Social Care function, and how access to such service can be maximised across different communities.
• How the council plans to address health inequalities across West Northamptonshire.

The committee also planned to review and provide scrutiny input into the development of Local Area Partnerships (LAPs). LAPs work at a neighbourhood level with communities to identify, prioritise and plan to solve problems early.

The committee also planned to work with the Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee on how young people with additional needs are supported to make the transition from children's social care to adult social care.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2025. At that meeting, the committee received presentations on the key priorities, risks, and challenges for services areas within its remit, focusing on Adult Social Care, and Community Safety. The committee also discussed the development of its work programme for the 2025-26 municipal year.