The Merton Council Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund Q3 report, updates on the Healthy Places priority of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the annual public health report. The meeting also included a verbal update on joined-up services and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy's Year 2 actions.

Better Care Fund Q3 Report 2025/26

The Board was scheduled to receive and note the Better Care Fund (BCF) Q3 report for 2025/26. The BCF is a government initiative established in 2015/16 to drive integration between health, housing, and care services. It operates as a pooled fund, jointly managed by the local authority and the South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB), with a total value of £26,885,638 for 2025/26. The report indicated that by the close of Quarter 3, 78% of the fund had been spent across 50 schemes designed to meet national BCF objectives. The report highlighted that the target for avoiding hospital admissions was not expected to be met, with mitigations outlined within the report. The BCF plan supports various Adult Social Care services, including reablement, hospital social work teams, equipment provision, and voluntary and community services like the Dementia Hub, as well as intermediate care services such as the Enhanced Rehabilitation Service and specialist end-of-life care. These services aim to facilitate timely hospital discharges, prevent avoidable admissions, and support individuals in regaining independence, thereby contributing to the sustainability of Adult Social Care and NHS services.

Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy – Healthy Places Action Updates

Updates were scheduled on the seven actions within the Healthy Places priority of the Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030. These actions encompass creating healthier, greener, and more sustainable environments; increasing physical activity through initiatives like the Borough of Sport and active travel; enhancing local recruitment and career opportunities via Employ Merton; implementing climate strategies to reduce carbon emissions and build resilience; driving up housing standards; creating safe and secure environments; and reducing the impact of poverty, including child poverty. The report detailed achievements to date, such as the launch of the Borough of Sport initiative, which has seen significant increases in active participation, and the development of a Playing Pitch Strategy. Active travel achievements included the installation of segregated cycle routes and a borough-wide 20mph speed limit. Employ Merton, a job brokerage scheme, had helped place residents into jobs and supported over 500 individuals. Climate action initiatives included the installation of rain gardens and tree planting. Housing standards were being addressed through selective and additional licensing schemes, with hundreds of premises inspected and improvements made. The Safer Streets Neighbourhood Wardens team had been launched, and a new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy was set to launch. Progress was also reported on the Cost-of-Living Strategy, with numerous events held and significant financial savings achieved for households through energy assessments. The Board was asked to note these updates and support the development and progression of these activities.

Annual Public Health Report 2026-27: Merton on the Move

The Board was scheduled to discuss the Annual Public Health Report, which focuses on physical inactivity. This report is a statutory duty that outlines health and wellbeing challenges, highlights good practices, and calls for partner collaboration. Physical inactivity is a priority for the Chief Medical Officer for England, with a general trend of increased sedentary behaviour. The report explored the reasons behind inactivity, how certain groups are disproportionately affected, and strategies to overcome barriers. It noted that physical activity offers significant health benefits, including improved physical and mental health, and referenced Chief Medical Officer guidelines for recommended daily physical activity. The COM-B model of behaviour (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation) was used to analyse inactivity. For children and young people, societal, environmental, and technological changes were identified as factors. For adults, a lack of time and family commitments were cited as primary reasons for inactivity. Merton's Borough of Sport initiatives were highlighted as providing opportunities for residents to become more active, with over 45 sport programs and projects rolled out since September 2023, reaching over 42,000 participants. Case studies from residents were included, and plans were in place to work with the Housing and Sustainable Developments Team to inform the regeneration of Morden Town Centre. The report's recommendations were intended to inform the second year of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Board was asked to review and endorse the recommendations within the report.

Merton Alliance Development

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the Merton Alliance development. This initiative involves partners working together to formalise structures for addressing opportunities and challenges over the next 12-24 months. A memorandum of understanding was agreed in December 2025, outlining collaborative ways of working, including an operating model for neighbourhood health and care, and early priorities such as resourcing and engagement. Work on maturity assessment and development days was planned. A broader update was anticipated for a future Health and Wellbeing Board meeting once Neighbourhood Planning Guidance became available.

Strong Communities Dashboard and Action Updates

The Board was scheduled to review the Strong Communities Dashboard, which tracks seven key items. One item focuses on establishing a collaborative approach to insight and engagement, ensuring the voices of groups with known health disparities inform decision-making. The dashboard data indicated that males in the most affluent areas of Merton were predicted to live 8.3 years longer than those in the most deprived areas, a figure lower than previous data points but similar to London. For females, the difference was 4.6 years. Self-reported wellbeing measures showed 5.2% of people had low satisfaction. Emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures in those aged 65 and over were generally higher in the most deprived wards. Updates were also scheduled for specific actions within the Strong Communities initiative, including mapping mechanisms to support engagement between the voluntary and community sector (VCS), seldom-heard groups, and people with lived experience with decision-makers; building capacity within the VCS to support evaluation and local evidence bases; aligning VCS grant funding with Merton's strategic priorities and establishing longer-term funding; and establishing an annual Health and Wellbeing Board celebration event. The report highlighted the significant contributions of the volunteer and community sector, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, and noted the sector's reliance on funding. The use of software called 'Plinth' was mentioned for understanding the impact of family hubs and early intervention offers. An event was planned for 2026 as part of the biannual Merton Partnership Summit. Actions related to funding aimed to provide a clearer funding landscape and explore other grant activities.

Strong Communities Action 4: Support Community-Led Initiatives

This agenda item was scheduled to cover support for community-led initiatives that upskill residents through the Civic Pride and Community Climate Action Funds. The Community Climate Action Fund has been running for eight years, funded by developers, while Investing in Neighbourhoods has run for two years, funded by Merton Council. The report highlighted examples of projects focused on upskilling residents, such as Merton Garden Streets, Friends of Mostyn Garden, The Wheel, The Preloved Studio, and Create Not Hate. A further report was expected to go to Cabinet in February.

Healthwatch Update

The Board was scheduled to receive an update from the Head of Healthwatch Merton. The report noted proposed changes to the NHS 10-year Plan, which included the potential abolition of local and national Healthwatch organisations and the establishment of a new patient experience directorate within the Department of Health and Social Care. These changes would require legislative amendment. Currently, Healthwatch Merton is funded until March 2027, with local funding confirmed for all local Healthwatch services until at least the end of March 2027. Going forward, Merton Healthwatch will continue as normal, with a commitment to existing projects and a focus on shorter-term work. Concerns were raised about safeguarding the independent, local, integrated, and person-led voice in Merton beyond March 2027.

Joined-up Services Highlights and Health and Wellbeing Strategy Year 2 Actions

Verbal updates were scheduled for these agenda items, providing highlights of joined-up services and an overview of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy's Year 2 actions.