Agenda and minutes

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Nick Mannion be appointed the Chair.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Nick Mannion be appointed Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board for the 2026–27 municipal year.

It was moved and seconded that Louise Barry be appointed as Vice Chair.

RESOLVED:

That Louise Barry be appointed Vice Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board for the 2026–27 municipal year.

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the first meeting of the municipal year and noted the expanded membership of the Board following the introduction of the Neighbourhood Health Framework.

The Board formally recorded its thanks to former Chair Councillor Sam Corcoran for his leadership and contribution.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Dr P Kearns (GP  Representative), Councillor S Gardiner (Opposition Representative CEC), G Murphy (CEO East Cheshire NHS Trust), D Godfrey (Executive Director of Children and Families), I Wilson  (Chair, Cheshire East Health and Care Partnership), Dr D Holden (GP Representative),  I Moston (CEO Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Inspector A Baker, Cheshire Constabulary) J Adams (NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board), Tom Barton, (CEO Everybody Health & Leisure) and R Burgess (NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board).

Jason Murray (Neighbourhood Police Inspector, Cheshire Constabulary) and Kerry Shea (Deputy CEO and Director of Health & Communities, Everybody Health & Leisure) were present as substitutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

There were no members of the public registered to speak.

It was noted that Councillor Bennett-Wake would speak under Item 12.

To receive a report on The Neighbourhood Health Framework and Neighbourhood Health Planning.

The Board considered a report outlining the Neighbourhood Health Framework and the additional responsibilities placed upon Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Members noted the requirement to deliver a series of “must dos” by March 2027, the replacement of Health and Wellbeing Strategies with Neighbourhood Health Plans, and the scale of transformation required across the system.

Members expressed concern regarding the scale, pace and capacity required to deliver these changes and noted the importance of partnership working and dedicated resources.

RESOLVED:

That

1.    The requirements of the Neighbourhood Health Framework and the new responsibilities of the Health and Wellbeing Board be noted.

2.    That quarterly reports will be provided to update on the progress being made to deliver the ‘must do’s.’

3.    That the Board support the need for Partners to put in place dedicated capacity to lead this programme of work.

To consider a report on the Better Care Fund 2026- 2027.

The Board considered the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026–27.

Members noted the scale of the programme and its focus on integration, prevention, and community-based care.

Discussion highlighted the importance of the voluntary and community sector and the need for a clearer engagement plan.

Officers agreed to develop and report back on a structured engagement plan with the voluntary and community sector.

It was proposed, seconded and voted on that the wording of the recommendation be amended to replace the word ‘approve’ with ‘endorse’, on the basis that Cabinet was the decision-making body rather than the Health and Wellbeing Board, due to the financial value of the Better Care Fund.

RESOLVED:

That the Health and Wellbeing Board endorse the Better Care Fund Plan for Cheshire East for 2026/27.

To receive a report on the Sexual Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) review.

Link to Sexual Health JSNA Full Report

The Board received a presentation on the Sexual Health JSNA.

Members noted key findings relating to STI rates, inequalities, barriers to access and declining screening rates among young people.

Discussion focused on improving accessibility, reducing stigma, and enhancing digital engagement, particularly for young people and those in rural areas.

A query was raised about how potential boundary changes following the May elections will be reflected in future data comparisons. Officers agreed to explore this further with the relevant service.

RESOLVED:

That the Health and Wellbeing Board note the key findings and recommendations within the JSNA review.

To receive the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025.

The Board received the Director of Public Health Annual Report titled “Healthy Minds in a Connected World.”

Members noted the focus on the impact of digital environments on mental wellbeing, particularly for children and young people.

The Board thanked the officer for her work on the report and wished her well for her future career as her trainee placement with the Public Health Team was ending.

RESOLVED:

That the Health and Wellbeing Board

1.    Note the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025

2.    Endorse the key priorities for local and system-wide action

3.    Support integration of digital wellbeing into relevant strategies and partnerships

To receive a report on the Green Spaces for Wellbeing Pilot.

The Board considered a report and received a presentation on the Green Spaces for Wellbeing Pilot.

The scheme was a 3-year social prescribing pilot aimed at improving health and wellbeing through connection with nature, reducing pressure on GP and health services, and addressing health inequalities. It had been delivered by Parks and Grounds with Public Health and NHS funding, aligned to the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

The programme was developed between November 2022 and April 2023, with delivery from April 2023 in Crewe and Macclesfield. It included 12-week programmes, drop-in and taster sessions for adults (18+), with referrals via professionals or self-referral. Activities included gardening, habitat creation, wildlife identification, art, mindfulness, and fitness. The Programme expanded to include outreach and volunteering opportunities.

Key strengths highlighted included high-quality sessions and strong facilitation; effective partnership working, particularly with Everybody Health & Leisure; park locations well suited to delivery.

The challenges highlighted included limited integration with wider services and communities, insufficient marketing and promotion and restricted geographical reach and referral process issues. There was also the ongoing funding uncertainty.

The next steps included continued community use of green space facilities and programme branding. There would be further development of legacy offers such as online resources and further volunteering opportunities.

Councillor Bennett-Wake attended the meeting to speak in relation to this item, having facilitated some of the Victoria Park sessions. She expressed disappointment that only approximately half of participants completed the course and highlighted what she considered to be a contradiction in the report's findings, which suggested both that a 12-week programme was difficult for some participants to commit to and that a longer programme may have been beneficial. She stressed the need to engage ward councillors, faith groups and community organisations more effectively, noting that social prescribing was not reaching the intended audience. She added that, with modest funding and volunteer support, similar initiatives could be delivered across the borough's parks.

RESOLVED:

That the Health and Wellbeing Board note the report and its recommendations for future projects around design, access and engagement, programme delivery and workforce and resources.