Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Councillor K Caan, welcomed all attendees to the meeting and introduced the VCSE partners in attendance: Eilis O’Donnell (CV life), Mel Smith (Grapevine) and Natalie Thomson (CRASAC).

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 October were agreed and signed as a true record.

Matter Arising:

Minute 19 (Director of Public Health and Wellbeing Update)

In response to a question from Councillor L Bigham on the outcome of a planned evaluation meeting looking at health access for refugees and asylum seekers, the Director of Public Health confirmed that there would be a report available shortly on this and she would ensure that Councillor Bigham would received a copy.

Verbal update of the Chair.

The Chair, Councillor Caan, updated the Board on the following matters:

·  “16 Days of Activism” against Gender-based Violence took place in November and December 2025 and included lighting up in orange City landmarks including Broadgate and the Whittle Arch to symbolise hope for a future free from violence. The 16 Days focussed on the escalating problem of online abuse and its impact, aligning with the broader campaign to end gender-based violence.

·  Coventry HIV Fast Track Cities Initiative - In October 2025 the Board confirmed their shared commitment to end HIV Transmission and Stigma. As a follow up to this, a letter from Lily Makurah, Consultant in Public Health, was circulated asking for nominates for a representative to work on this initiative. There was also an invitation to a launch event on 11^th February 2026 and Members were encouraged to attend.

Verbal report of the Director of Public Health & Wellbeing.

The Board received a verbal update of the Director of Public Health and Wellbeinghighlighting the following:

·  Public Health Awards – these would be reinstated and, in due course, nominations would be sought.

·  TB - The number of cases of TB in Coventry were rising, mirroring a national trend,  the City Council’s public health team were actively working with NHS colleagues to address the increase.

·  Child Poverty – work was ongoing looking at the efficiency of the process for supporting victims of sexual abuse and assault.

·  Obesity – Leeds Beckett University were currently leading pilot research in  weight management, which could offer significant learning that could inform the City Council’s work on obesity.

·  Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy – work was currently ongoing in relation to refreshing the Board’s strategy.

Verbal report of the Chief Integration Officer, Coventry and Warwickshire, ICB.

The Board received an update on Coventry and Warwickshire ICB’s clustering with Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB.  Work was progressing and was currently at the end of the first stage of restructuring with announcements of executive directors expected in the coming weeks.

Briefing Note of the Population Health Policy Officer.

Pete Fahy introduced a presentation detailing the Community Integrator and National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) to describe to the Board the Coventry approach to the implementation of Neighbourhood Health

The presentation included:

·  NHS 10 Year Plan, NHSE National Neighbourhood Guidance and Neighbourhood Health Partnership Framework

·  Background to the NNHIP

·  The issues aimed to address through this programme – Population Management Approach

·  Our emerging Neighbourhood Health model

·  Implementation progress to date

·  Measuring progress

·  Next steps

The Purpose:

·  To seek ongoing input and leadership from Coventry Health and Wellbeing Board as the Neighbourhood Health Programme develops and specifically sign off of the plan by April 2026, incorporating Better Care Fund.

The Chair thanked all for the detailed presentation and questions were taken on the following:

• National guidance and projections to 2040.
• PHM Stage 1 findings and Coventry cohort analysis.
• Neighbourhood Health Integrated Team (INT) model, community care transformation timeline, and system resource measures.
• Focus on shared digital records and prevention strategies.
• Questions raised about ensuring communities are informed and empowered.
• Emphasis on health equity assessment and representation.

Discussion points:

• Need for true representation and learning from national approaches.
• Integration with children’s services.
• Physical hubs alongside virtual models.
• Opportunities for co-location and digital enablers.
• Workforce challenges and importance of collaboration.
• Digital records and shared risk.
• Prevention strategies, green spaces, and early intervention.
• Voluntary Sector – inclusion and role as delivery partners
• How changes would be communicated, including GPs and any services changes
• Mechanisms in place to ensure that all communities were informed and encouraged to contribute so that they could shape the process.

Verbal Report of the Public Health Consultant and Coventry HDRC Director.

The Board noted a presentation which summarised the work of the HDRC – a collaboration which aimed to reduce unfair health differences in the City by building research capacity.  The programme aimed to:

• Strengthen research capacity and capability in local government.
• Conduct research where evidence is lacking.
• Embed a culture of evidence-based decision-making and impact.
• Address wider determinants of health.
• Improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

Benefits of HDRC

• Greater involvement of councils, VCSEs, and residents in research.
• Enhanced skills, knowledge, and experience in conducting and using research.
• Evidence-informed decision-making for complex issues.
• Better outcomes and value for money in new research.

HDRC Support

• Offers research training, evidence reviews, bid writing, evaluations.
• Connects with collaborators for research development.

Additional Points

• Evidence jigsaw slide presented.
• Learning and training opportunities shared.
• Two case studies highlighted.
• Future funding: HDRC 2.0 (2027–2032), expected announcement soon.
• Reflection on past achievements and future goals.

In conclusion, the Board were requested:

• For support in respect of the upcoming bid.
• Align HDRC with wider partner priorities.
• Input to shape HDRC focus areas.

Verbal update of the Chair – Health and Wellbeing Board Members Headline Updates

The Board noted the Work Programme.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved

There were no other items of public business.