The Health and Wellbeing Board of Warwickshire Council met on Wednesday 14 January 2026 to discuss a range of important public health matters. Key topics included the Director of Public Health's annual report, proposed changes to the Board's governance, and plans for joint communications. The Board also reviewed updates on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, the Better Care Fund, and strategies for health protection and creating healthier places.

Director of Public Health Report 2025

The Board was scheduled to receive and comment on the 2025 Annual Report of the Director of Public Health, titled Growing Up Online. This report focuses on the impact of social media on young people's wellbeing, highlighting emerging harms such as misinformation, loneliness, and the influence of commercial determinants. The report includes recommendations for parents, education providers, and system partners to address these issues.

Warwickshire Integrated Neighbourhood Team

A presentation was scheduled from the Warwickshire Care Collaborative regarding the Warwickshire Integrated Neighbourhood Team.

Health and Wellbeing Board Governance Review

The Board was set to receive and comment on proposed changes to its governance and membership. A review, supported by the Local Government Association, aimed to ensure the Board's arrangements are fit for purpose for delivering the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-31. Proposed changes include a Drive, Sponsor, Observe approach and adjustments to membership to better connect Place Partnerships with the Board.

Health and Wellbeing Board Joint Communications Plan

A report was presented proposing the development of a Joint Communications Plan to strengthen relationships between the Board and Place Partnerships, and to improve public engagement with the Board's strategic priorities. The plan aims to align messaging, coordinate campaigns, and improve internal communication.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Work Programme

The Board was to note updates from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) work programme. This included approving the publication of the Thriving Adults JSNA and the LGBTQ+ JSNA. The Board was also encouraged to use the data from these JSNAs in their decision-making and was informed about the upcoming release of a new Local Population Dashboard.

Better Care Fund Progress Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Better Care Fund (BCF) priorities and performance against national metrics. The report also detailed planning for the next year, including a review of schemes funded by the Local Authority Better Care Grant element of the BCF.

Coventry & Warwickshire Health Protection Strategy

The Board was asked to note the publication of the Coventry and Warwickshire Health Protection Strategy 2025-2030 and endorse its accompanying action plan and ongoing review. The strategy identifies four key priority areas: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs), population immunisations, reducing health harms from environmental hazards, and Tuberculosis (TB).

Creating Healthier Places in Warwickshire Using the Health in All Policies (HiAP) Approach

This report provided an update on the progress made in implementing a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach across Warwickshire. It highlighted achievements in embedding health considerations into decision-making across organisational, service, and system levels, with examples from planning, the natural environment, transport, and a whole systems approach to healthy weight.

Warwickshire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) Annual Report 2024-2025

The Board was to receive the 2024-2025 Annual Report from the Warwickshire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB). The report provides an overview of multi-agency safeguarding activity, with a focus on the changing landscape of safeguarding partnerships and the formal separation of adult and children's safeguarding boards. It highlights prevalent forms of abuse and the work of the Vulnerable Adult Risk Management (VARM) process.

Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) Annual Report 2024-2025

The Board was also scheduled to receive the 2024–2025 Annual Report of the Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP). This report reviews multi-agency safeguarding arrangements for children and young people, reflecting on a year of transformation and Warwickshire's role as a national pathfinder for the Families First for Children reforms. It details trends in safeguarding data, persistent challenges, and strategic priorities for the upcoming year.

Healthwatch Warwickshire

An update on the work of Healthwatch Warwickshire was scheduled.

Forward Plan

The Board's Forward Plan was also to be reviewed.