Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure and housekeeping arrangements for the Council Chamber were noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 December 2025

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 17 December 2025 be approved as a correct record.

The Board considered the appointment of a Vice – Chair.

RESOLVED that Karen Hawkins be appointed as Vice- Chair of the Board with immediate effect until the end of April 2027.

The Board received a presentation outlining the Neighbourhood Health Improvement Programme.

Key points included:

·       The programme supported the national ambition to shift care from hospital to community and from treatment to prevention.

·       Stockton had been selected as one of 43 areas for Phase One.

·       Focus would be on the most deprived areas, particularly Central Stockton and Portrack.

·       Emphasis on collaborative working, early intervention, and prevention.

·       Initial focus areas included:

o   Frailty (65+)

o   Individuals aged 50–65 with multiple long-term conditions

o   Community-based case finding

Progress to date:

·       Programme mobilisation across partners

·       Governance structures and decision-making routes established

·       Initial cohort identified using shared data

·       Engagement with VCSE sector and community groups

·       Integrated delivery supported by clear assurance and evaluation processes

Engagement activity included:

·       Workshops with over 50 partners

·       Establishment of a Community Voice Group

·       Reducing Inequalities workshop delivered

Next steps:

·       Ongoing testing and scaling of delivery models

·       Continued engagement with national programme

·       Development of integrated neighbourhood teams

·       VCSE and community co production

Discussion

·       Members welcomed the focus on prevention, early intervention and reducing inequalities.

·       Importance of partnership working and alignment with existing provision to avoid duplication was highlighted.

·       Need for meaningful community engagement and visible outcomes for residents was emphasised.

·       Members noted differing needs across pilot communities and stressed the importance of building trust over time, avoiding consultation fatigue.

·       Members supported building on existing community assets and infrastructure.

·       Concerns noted regarding pace of development and reliance on further national guidance.

·       Members referenced links to wider initiatives, including Pride of Place, and suggested a future report or presentation to the Board.

·       It was noted that an interim Neighbourhood Health Plan would be brought to the Board in March for discussion, ahead of submission.

RESOLVED that the update and discussion be noted/actioned as appropriate.

The Board received an update on the monitoring and accountability framework for the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Key points:

·       A high-level delivery plan had been developed for Year 1.

·       Commitment leads would identify Year 2 milestones by February 2026.

·       Deep dive sessions focus on:

o   Healthy weight / good food

o   Early years

o   Social isolation and loneliness

·       A Power BI outcomes dashboard is in development:

o   Will align with national and local outcome frameworks

o   Enable benchmarking and trend analysis

·       End-of-year reflections will be gathered via structured self-assessment across:

o   Successes

o   Inequalities

o   Community engagement

o   Partnership working

o   Challenges

Next steps:

·       March Board: End-of-year report and reflection session

·       April Board: Agreement of future deep dive topics

Key points

·       Need for a pragmatic approach to performance monitoring, focusing on key priorities rather than all activity.

·       Use of partner self-assessment aligned to strategy priorities noted.

·       Flexibility in format and timing of sessions discussed and would be considered outside the meeting.

RESOLVED that the progress and plans be noted/agreed.

The Board considered a report on updating the Health and Wellbeing Board webpage.

Key proposals:

·       Publication of updated Terms of Reference with explanatory context.

·       Clear articulation of the Board’s role as a statutory committee and strategic partnership.

·       Updated membership information.

·       Inclusion of:

o   Overview of the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

o   Summary of the monitoring and accountability framework.

Discussion highlighted:

·       Importance of clarity, transparency, and accessibility.

·       Opportunity to strengthen communication and public understanding.

RESOLVED:

1.    that the proposed updates to the webpage be approved.

2.    that further options for proactive communication be explored.