The Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to discuss the Lancashire Better Care Fund and progress on Neighbourhood Health Plans. The Board formally ratified the 2025/26 Quarter 3 Better Care Fund submission and agreed to expand the Neighbourhood Health Working Group to include representation from district Health and Wellbeing Partnerships and voluntary sector partners.

Lancashire Better Care Fund Update

Matthew Emerson, Director of Strategic and Integrated Commissioning for Lancashire County Council, presented an update on the Lancashire Better Care Fund (BCF). The Board formally ratified the 2025/26 Quarter 3 BCF submission, which had been previously approved by the Chair under delegated authority. A workshop held earlier in the year had informed longer-term planning for 2026/27 and 2027/28, with an improved alignment with neighbourhood-level delivery identified as a future requirement.

Performance for Quarter 3 indicated that data for emergency admissions was unavailable, and performance for discharge delays was not on track due to incomplete data returns, although it was noted that performance had since improved. Residential admissions performance remained on track. Financially, approximately 75% of the annual budget had been spent. The Board was informed that an increased focus was required on unpaid carers, Disabled Facilities Grants, intermediate care, and co-production.

Following the presentation, Board members raised concerns regarding the transparency and clarity of BCF budget lines, the sufficiency of financial detail for political scrutiny, and the lack of systematic collection and use of service-user experience in reporting. Concerns were also raised about limited opportunities for innovation due to the rigidity of long-standing BCF allocations and the need for clearer accountability regarding Integrated Care Board (ICB) contributions. The Board requested a more detailed breakdown of BCF expenditure at a future meeting.

Resolved:

• The Health and Wellbeing Board formally ratified the Quarter 3 2025/26 Better Care Fund submission.
• Officers were requested to provide, at a future meeting, enhanced financial detail and improved clarity of budget lines, along with a further update on the position regarding Integrated Care Board contributions.

Progress Report for Neighbourhood Health Workshop

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities, and Jackie Moran, Integration Place Leader for Lancashire East at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, provided an update on the development of Lancashire's Interim Neighbourhood Health Plan. The presentation outlined the national and local context, the proposed approach to neighbourhood health, emerging priorities, and planned next steps.

The Board noted that national NHS guidance on neighbourhood health was still in draft and its publication had been delayed. However, national direction continued to emphasise the reduction of health inequalities and unwarranted variation, a shift from treatment-focused models to prevention and community-based support, and a requirement for each Health and Wellbeing Board to produce both a strategic neighbourhood plan and an annual operational plan.

Lancashire's approach aligns with the national Neighbourhood Health Improvement Programme and is being developed through a phased, evidence-informed process, drawing on learning from early implementer sites in Blackburn with Darwen and Morecambe Bay. The vision presented reinforced a life-course model – Start Well, Live Well, Age Well and Die Well – supported by integrated neighbourhood teams and an emphasis on co-production and community activation.

Proposals forming the basis of Lancashire's strategic neighbourhood plan include the adoption of a life-course approach, strengthened co-production with residents, voluntary, community and faith sector partners, and wider system stakeholders. A district-level neighbourhood footprint will serve as the starting point, with flexibility to reflect local needs and existing arrangements. Early priority population cohorts have been identified through data analysis, including children and young people, adults experiencing multiple disadvantage, and older people, particularly those living alone. Further development work is required regarding the scope of services, the design of integrated neighbourhood teams, outcomes and metrics, and improved data granularity, including ward-level indicators across Lancashire.

Following the presentation, members raised points for consideration, including the need for clear, demonstrable evidence of progress and measurable improvements, the importance of fully involving voluntary, community, and faith organisations in service design and delivery, and concerns that an exclusive focus on the most deprived areas might miss opportunities for early progress elsewhere. Suggestions were made for reforming the Board's structure or meeting format to a more workshop-based and thematic approach, drawing on good practice from other areas, and the need to ensure alignment with wider initiatives such as Pride in Place programmes.

Resolved:

• The Neighbourhood Health Working Group will be expanded to include representation from district Health and Wellbeing Partnerships and voluntary sector partners.
• Detailed data, analysis, and proposals will be prepared ahead of the planned May 2026 workshop, where the scope of services, priority neighbourhoods, and models for integrated neighbourhood teams will be further developed.

On-Tour Board Meetings

The Chair invited members to reflect on the benefits and considerations of holding future Board meetings in community venues. Members noted the value of situating discussions within the lived community context, observing that meeting in local settings could enhance understanding of residents' experiences and strengthen the Board's connection to place. It was emphasised that chosen venues should reflect aspiration and hope, being welcoming and aligned with the Board's commitment to improving health and wellbeing outcomes. Members cautioned that such approaches must avoid appearing tokenistic without genuine community engagement and highlighted the importance of ensuring community involvement is meaningful and sustained.

Resolved: The Board will continue to meet in the community where appropriate.

The Board also noted that this was Sam Gorton's final meeting, and the Chair expressed appreciation for her 10 years of service as Clerk.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held at 2.00pm on 19 May 2026, with the venue to be confirmed.