The Chair welcomed participants to the meeting and introduced the new members of the Committee: Dr Sy Ganesaratnam (Vice Chair), Dr Laura Jarvie and Dr Karen Worthington.

Apologies were received from Sarah Goad and Jane McSherry (Elizabeth Fitzpatrick attended as substitute).

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

The Head of Strategic Commissioning introduced the paper, which had been circulated to members. He drew members’ attention to the Health in all Policies paper presented in June, which introduced the ambition to put health, equity and sustainability at the centre of the Health and Wellbeing Board’s policy making.  Actively Merton is the first exemplar of this work. 

The aim is to increase activity and connectedness among residents, presenting a strong alignment with the Borough of Sport priority. Actively Merton has a particular focus on 4 to16 year olds and those over 60s, as those who can benefit most from a more active lifestyle.

In response to questions, the Head of Strategic Commissioning confirmed that while the Borough of Sport focused on sport, Actively Merton has a wider scope and that the two programmes complement each other. It is a priority of the council to increase physical activity including sport, which requires a strong partnership effort.

Members stressed the importance of considering any costs to participate in activities, especially given the financial pressures on families of the cost of living crisis, and to ensure that facilities and programmes are accessible to all.

RESOLVED:

-       That the HWBB discussed and agreed the approach to increasing physical and social activity in a way that residents want it, through the Actively Merton programme, the first Health in All Policies exemplar

-       That the HWBB noted the synergies between Actively Merton and the council’s corporate priority for Merton to be a Borough of Sport and HWBB members agreed to support and increase as awareness for both programmes.

-     That HWBB member organisations committed to providing input on the component parts of actively Merton during initiation and on-going support to the programme.

A verbal update to be provided at the meeting.

The Health on the High Street Project Manager introduced the report.  The Project Manager highlighted the purpose of the project, developed following the success of vaccinations for COVID in shopping centres, to explore whether other services could be delivered in new ways. Health on the High Street is now a key project in delivery of Merton’s Local Health and Care Plan (slides from the presentation are attached to the minutes).

The Project Manager outlined the progress made through a range of activities being delivered as part of to the programme. He referenced several voluntary sector partners that he has linked with across the borough and members suggested additional opportunities to connect including to help avoid any duplication of effort where existing projects are in place. Progress to date and the evaluation framework that is planned were welcomed.

RESOLVED:  That the Board noted and commented on the report.

The Head of Commissioning and Market Development introduced the report which had been circulated to members. He gave an update on the latest developments in social care reform and the recent autumn statement that has put back much of the planned reforms for a further two years. No similar advice has been given on the planned CQC assessments and preparations that are going ahead for this were outlined. Members commented they will be interested to see the ICB (Integrated Care Board) framework alongside adult social care and agreed the need to plan together with learning from SEND.

In response to questions, it was confirmed that the first two years are baselining periods to gain an understanding of each local authority’s strengths and weaknesses, although it was not yet clear what that would mean in terms of inspection activity, it was expected that reasonable notice of inspections would be provided.

RESOLVED:

-       That the Board noted the upcoming social care reforms now scheduled to take effect in 2025 and the work that has been undertaken to prepare for the implementation of the reforms.

-       That the Board noted that the implementation timetable for charging reform changed following the Government’s Autumn Statement on the 17th of November 2022, with implementation being moved from October 2023 to October 2025. The Care Quality Commission Assurance arrangements were still scheduled to come into effect in April 2023.

A verbal update to be provided at the meeting.

The Executive Place Lead, Merton and Wandsworth with the Deputy Director, Merton Health and Care Together presented (slides from the presentation are attached to the minutes).

The Innovation Fund has been significantly oversubscribed with bids and it was suggested that there may be an opportunity to look at future funds, or other ways, of supporting some of these. Members recognised that a great deal of work has taken place in a short period of time. Both funds are likely to be repeated next year and the need for early planning involving the voluntary sector was agreed. 

It was agreed that it would both help manage expectation and support planning if it was known what funds are available to each borough for the Innovation Investment Fund (as is currently the case for the Inequalities Investment Fund) and the Executive Place Lead confirmed that he had made this request.

RESOLVED:

That the Board noted the report.

A verbal update to be provided at the meeting.

The Deputy Director, Merton Health and Care Together.presented the update to the Mayor of London’s ‘six tests’ and the greater emphasis and depth now placed on health inequalities, together with specific changes to the hospital bed test (slides from the presentation are attached to the minutes).

The position of the council was made clear, in that it is united in its opposition to taking services away from St Helier.

RESOLVED:

That the Board noted the report.

The Director of Public Health introduced the report, noting that the proposal to invite a Young Inspector to the Board had come from their presentation to the September meeting of this Board. As the appointment would be non-voting and a pilot for six months, it would not require changes to the Terms of Reference for the Board.

RESOLVED:

That the Board agreed that a nominated Young Inspector be appointed to attend the Health and Wellbeing Board at the invitation of the Chair for an initial period of six months.