To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Pat Teague, Aging Well Assembly and Councillor David Thomas, Leader of the Council.  In the absence of Councillor David Thomas, the Vice-Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board Matt Fox chaired the meeting.

Temporary Chief Inspector attended in the place of Chief Superintendent Roy Linden, Devon and Cornwall Police, Chris Winfield attended in the place of Adel Jones, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Mike King attended in the place of Sarah Newham, Department for Work and Pensions.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 22 June 2023.

The minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 22 June 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman.

To consider the report on developing women’s health hubs.

(Note: presented by the Deputy Director of Commissioning, Out of Hospital, NHS Devon).

The Deputy Director of Commissioning – Out of Hospital, NHS Devon

 outlined the submitted report which sought support and endorsement of the Health and Wellbeing Board for the establishment of the ‘Improving Women’s Health’ group. This group has the purpose of developing, promoting, and locally implementing the Women’s Health Strategy. 

Furthermore, Women’s Health Hubs have been announced by the Department of Health, forming a key component of the national Women’s Health strategy. One-off non-recurrent funding to NHS Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB) was announced in July 2023. The key local priorities identified were regarding Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), menopause care and digital solutions. 

Members welcomed the focus on LARC and menopause management requesting an update on the progress of the Women’s Health Hubs to be presented to the Board at its meeting in December.

By consensus Members resolved that:

1.         The report on Developing Women’s Health Hubs be noted;

2.         The Health and Wellbeing Board supports the work of the Improving Women’s Health Group.

To consider the Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 6 monthly monitoring reports.

(Note: presented by the Director of Public Health, Torbay Council).

The Director of Public Health, Torbay Council outlined the submitted report which set out progress made against the priority programme areas of mental health and wellbeing; good start to life; supporting people with complex needs; healthy ageing and digital inclusion.

The Board was asked to specifically note the risks and mitigation of the digital inclusion programme being paused and the resulting impact of being able to deliver the local digital citizen enablement strategy and Health and Wellbeing Strategy objectives.

By consensus Members resolved that:

1.         the update on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy be noted;

2.         the progress in delivery of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy be noted;

3.         the risk in relation to the digital inclusion programme be noted;

4.         the updates to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy wording be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the Local Care Partnership Business Programme.

(Note: presented by the Locality Director (South and West), NHS Devon).

This item was deferred.

To consider the report on the Better Care Fund Plan.

(Note: presented by the Locality Director (South and West), NHS Devon).

Justin Wiggins, Head of Integrated Care (South and West) informed the Board that Better Care Fund (BCF) plans were required to be developed and signed off by Health and Wellbeing Boards within each Local Authority footprint.  The Board noted that previous plans had been undertaken on an annual basis.  However, national guidance had changed with the current planning cycle now covering two financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25. 

The Board was advised that Torbay BCF plans were submitted to the Better Care Fund exchange on 28 June 2023. Supplementary information was requested seeking further clarity on assumptions made in:

· demand and capacity planning;

· narrative linked to addressing inequalities; and

· ensuring triangulation of information in both narrative and planning templates with national planning requirements.

Subsequently, Torbay had received notification that plans had been approved by the regional panel and will now progress to the national panel for endorsement with national approval letters due to be issued (subject to the plan being signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board).

In consideration of the recommendations set out in the submitted report the Board considered recommendation ‘supports the review of Torbay Better Care Fund and develops an overview of the findings that outlines key issues, challenges and confirmation of schemes identified as contributing to the objectives and metrics of the 2023-2025 Better Care Fund.’ to be outside the scope of the Board and therefore by consensus resolved that the Health and Wellbeing Board:

1.         approves the Torbay Better Care Fund submission;

2.         endorse the governance arrangements described in the submitted report; and

3.         endorse that governance and oversight is undertaken by the Health and Well Being Board Executive.

To consider the Healthwatch Annual Report.

(Note: presented by the Chief Executive Officer of Healthwatch Torbay and Engaging Communities South West/Strategic Lead for Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay).

The Chief Executive of Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, Pat Harris outlined the ‘Together we’re making health and social care better - Annual Report 2022-23’ which set out the wide range of engagement, representation and impact undertaken by Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay over the past year.

By consensus Members resolved that the Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay ‘Together we’re making health and social care better - Annual Report 2022-23’ be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the Turning the Tide on Poverty and Cost of Living work programmes.

(Note: presented by the Director of Public Health, Torbay Council).

The Board noted a verbal update provided by the Director of Public Health, who advised that Torbay faced such a challenge in responding to crises due to having a low level of resilience in local families and communities.  The Director of Public Health informed the Board that work was undertaken last winter to identify what can be done to prevent and address impacts as the winter gets colder.  The work identified the following issues: resilience of those that need to respond – voluntary sector was vulnerable due to increasingly complex situations that volunteers were being presented with.  Vulnerability in the public sector – pressure for those who were on the front line.  Housing – stable accommodation was key and this was getting more challenging.  The Divisional Director for Customer and Community Services, Tara Harris who was responsible for managing to temporary accommodation advised that the main reason for individual and families presenting as homeless was due to the lack of money and landlords leaving the market.  Officers were awaiting government announcements regarding Household Support Fund for next year and housing discretionary payments. 

Furthermore, Members were advised that trends were suggesting more of the working population were seeking universal credit.  Mike King, Department for Work and Pensions advised that historically there was an increase in unemployment and insecurity of work, at this time of year, but the Department for Work and Pensions was also noticing that employers were paying less than previously or offering less hours.

Members challenged whether the focus of Turning the Tide on poverty, should the focus be on building resilience rather than just responding to acute needs.

To receive an update on the Risk Register.

(Note: presented by the Director of Public Health, Torbay Council).

The Board noted the report on the Risk Register and sought clarification as to who identified the risks and the justification for including some and not others such as the economy.  This was an area that was referred to the Executive Group to review and make recommendations to the Board.