Agenda item

Louise Wallace, Director of Public Health, introduced the report which set out the outcome of the November 2025 workshop on the future role of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The report proposed next steps relating to the Board’s role and membership and invited members to consider these.

In introducing the report, Louise highlighted that, following a period of significant system change, the Board had taken the opportunity to reflect on whether its current arrangements were enabling it to add maximum value. Members were reminded that, while the Board’s statutory responsibilities were fixed, there was flexibility in how it operated beyond those requirements.

She highlighted the relationship between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the North Yorkshire Health Collaborative as a key area for consideration, including ensuring that the two bodies complemented one another, avoided duplication and worked together effectively, including through an annual review of respective work programmes.

Reference was also made to the Board’s way of working, including meeting four times per year, with two in‑person meetings focused on development activity and deeper exploration of priority areas arising from the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Louise drew attention to the proposed membership arrangements and the flexibility to invite additional attendees to support discussion of specific themes.

It was noted that national guidance on neighbourhood health had been published after the report had been finalised and that this would need to be reflected in the Board’s future work programme.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:

·         The Chair emphasised that the workshop had been undertaken to understand what members wanted from the Board and how it could operate most effectively, highlighting the importance of maintaining flexibility in approach while ensuring that statutory responsibilities were met.

·         It was highlighted that NHS Foundation Trusts supported a focused core membership for statutory business, alongside flexibility to involve a wider range of partners in workshops.

·         Members discussed new expectations around neighbourhood health, including closer working with Integrated Care Boards and links to Better Care Fund requirements. It was emphasised that neighbourhood health was not solely an NHS policy and required the involvement of all partners, with Health and Wellbeing Boards seen as playing a leading role across the local system. It was highlighted that Health and Wellbeing Boards would be expected to co‑produce and agree neighbourhood health plans, ensuring that they delivered agreed outcomes and aligned with the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The importance of contributions from the VCSE sector and embedding people’s voices was emphasised.

·         The Board’s role as the governance route for the local area SEND partnership was highlighted, including oversight of the forthcoming SEND Reform Plan and alignment with the Best Start in Life programme. Members emphasised the importance of coherence between SEND reforms, neighbourhood health planning and Best Start in Life activity.

·         Concerns were raised about the pace and scale of system change, particularly in relation to Integrated Care Board arrangements, and members welcomed the clearer role for the Board in providing leadership and stability during a period of significant change.

·         In response to a query on meeting arrangements, it was clarified that while the intention was to hold two online and two in‑person meetings each year, this would remain agenda‑led, with flexibility to extend in‑person meetings where this would add value.

·         Members welcomed the proposals and supported the overall direction of travel.

Resolved

a)    That the Board approves the recommended approach and next steps outlined in the report.

b)    That the Board recommends to Full Council that the membership of the North Yorkshire Health and Wellbeing Board, as outlined in Appendix B of the report, is approved.