The Health and Wellbeing Board met on 20 April 2026 to discuss a range of critical public health initiatives. Key decisions included the endorsement of the Hertfordshire's Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-2029, the agreement to extend the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy until March 2027, and the approval of the Better Care Fund Framework for 2026-27. The Board also noted progress on the Age Friendly: Live Better strategy and the Healthy Places and Whole Systems Healthy Weight programmes.

Hertfordshire's Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2026-2029

The Board noted the Hertfordshire's Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2026-2029¹, a multi-agency plan developed in partnership with local authorities, health partners, criminal justice agencies, voluntary sector organisations, and survivors. The strategy aims to prevent harm, protect victims and survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and support recovery. It adopts a gendered, trauma-informed, intersectional, and survivor-led approach, with four key priorities: acting before harm occurs, identifying and stopping those causing harm, increasing safety for victims and survivors, and providing support after harm has occurred. The Board discussed how senior leaders and their organisations could support the delivery of this strategy.

Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy Refresh – Development Framework

The Board agreed to extend the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022–26 by 12 months, until March 2027. This extension will allow for the completion of the latest Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), alignment with statutory guidance and Integrated Care System priorities, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders and communities. A development timeline was presented, with the refreshed strategy expected to be approved by April 2027. The Board endorsed the proposed development approach, governance arrangements, and guiding principles, which emphasise an integrated and connected system, meaningful engagement, an evidence-led approach, understanding local needs, shared ownership, a life course perspective, prevention, reducing inequalities, and alignment across system strategies.

Better Care Fund Framework 2026-27 and Expectations for Alignment to Neighbourhood Health

The Board approved the Better Care Fund (BCF) NHS Q3 2025-26 report, noting its performance metrics, achievements, and financial position. They also reviewed the BCF Framework 2026-27, which supports the integration of health and social care in line with the government's Neighbourhood Health objectives. The BCF has demonstrated strong performance in areas such as reducing emergency admissions, preventing discharge delays, and supporting carers. The Board was assured that the BCF already aligns with neighbourhood health principles, including prevention, early intervention, and integrated neighbourhood-based services. The Board was also informed that the BCF Plan 2026-27 will be presented in July.

Neighbourhood Health – National Framework, Planning, Governance and Programme

The Board noted the NHS England and Department of Health & Social Care Neighbourhood Health Framework, which sets out a national direction for organising care around local communities. The framework designates Health and Wellbeing Boards as central to developing neighbourhood health, with responsibilities including setting vision and priorities, agreeing neighbourhood geographies, and leading joint planning. The Board noted local progress in developing Neighbourhood Health across Hertfordshire and Central East and supported the proposal to establish a Hertfordshire Neighbourhood Delivery Committee. This committee will act as a multi-agency forum to translate national policy into local delivery arrangements, align planning, and monitor progress.

Age Friendly: Live Better Strategy and Delivery Plan

The Board endorsed the strategic objectives and delivery plan for the Age Friendly Communities Hertfordshire programme, now branded as Age Friendly: Live Better. This programme, funded by Public Health Hertfordshire and delivered in partnership with Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership, aims to improve the quality of life for older people by focusing on health and wellbeing, inclusion, and community integration. The programme addresses eight key areas influencing ageing, with a current focus on four pillars: Community Health and Wellbeing, Social Participation and Employment, Home, and Transport. The Board was invited to champion the programme by joining the network, signing the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, and engaging in various activities.

Healthy Places and Whole Systems Healthy Weight Programmes

The Board noted the progress of the Healthy Placemaking programme and the launch of the Healthy and Safe Places Framework, which aims to embed health and wellbeing into spatial planning. They also noted the Whole Systems Healthy Weight Programme, which addresses the complex factors contributing to excess weight across the population. The Whole Systems Healthy Weight Board has been established to coordinate efforts, with initial priorities including supporting healthier weight in pregnancy, early years settings, and workplaces. The Board was asked to endorse these programmes and support their inclusion in the refreshed Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Governance Boards – Progress Highlight Reports and Feedback from HWB Community of Practice

The Board noted the progress highlight reports from its five sub-boards: Violence Against Women and Girls, Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Board, Children and Young People's Commissioning Oversight Board, Better Care Fund Board, and the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity Health and Care Partnership. They also noted feedback from the Health and Wellbeing Board Community of Practice session, which focused on the new Young Carers Service and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy refresh. The Board was invited to comment on the reports and the Community of Practice Forward Plan, and to advise if any specific areas warranted a more detailed review.