Decision details

Lucy Wearmouth, Head of Population Health, provided the Board with an update on the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  The Board was informed that the information being presented would provide background to the refresh process and, at a high level, set out the distinctions between the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the Health and Care Plan, and the emerging Neighbourhood Health Plans, to ensure clarity about the role and purpose of each. The update would also set out the proposed timeline for developing the refreshed strategy and explain the approach to stakeholder engagement.

The Board was reminded that the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy runs until 2027, and Rachel Spencer-Henshall presented the midpoint review to the Board in September 2025. The Strategy remains a statutory requirement, with the Health and Wellbeing Board responsible for its oversight and implementation. It also continues to be one of the partnership’s four key strategic documents.

The Board was informed that the update was being set within the context of the wider system changes outlined by Vicky Dutchburn.  The refresh of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy will need to be carefully managed to ensure alignment with those developments.

Informal conversations have already taken place with several Board members to gather early feedback on the current strategy. This included reflections on opportunities for improvement, experiences of how the Strategy has functioned over the past three to four years, and views on how members would like to shape the next phase and how it could potentially change for the future.

The Health and Wellbeing Strategy sits at the highest level, providing the overarching strategic vision for Kirklees. It sets out the long?term direction for improving population health and defines the core priorities for the system setting out the long?term priorities for improving health and wellbeing in Kirklees. It is intended to be a short and focused document that provides overarching direction, sitting above the more detailed operational plans.  Alongside this, the Health and Care Plan will continue to be developed and will ultimately evolve into the Neighbourhood Health Plan.

The Board was provided with the proposed timetable for developing the refreshed Strategy:

-        Stakeholder engagement is scheduled to take place from September this year through to January 2027. This engagement will include Board members.

-       The refreshed Strategy will then be brought back to the Health and Wellbeing Board for consideration and approval at the appropriate stages.

-       Findings from the engagement activity undertaken in March and April 2027 will be used to inform the development of the revised Health and Wellbeing Strategy in June 2027.

-       The final version of the strategy will then be presented to the Board in October 2027 for approval.

In terms of next steps, the first stage will focus on engagement with partners. This is expected to include gathering partners’ feedback on the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy, including views on its strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for development. Input from the Board on these proposed areas of focus is welcomed.

Feedback will be sought on the existing strategy, including views on where changes could be made to strengthen and improve it, supported by the intelligence already available. It would be beneficial to establish a set of key principles to guide the development of the revised strategy, and these principles will be developed in collaboration with the Board.

Consideration will be given to the known challenges within Kirklees, as well as the strengths, assets, and existing gaps. Board members are also asked to reflect on their own organisational strategic priorities and those shared across the wider partnership. Stakeholder engagement will include Health and Wellbeing Board members, key partners, other relevant forums, and identified groups. Further feedback will be sought from the Board on any additional stakeholders who should be included in the engagement process.”

RESOLVED:

That Lucy Wearmouth be thanked for providing an update on the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Strategy.