Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

1.    To consider adoption of the Lincolnshire Districts Health and Wellbeing Strategy and associated action plan as a framework for improving health and wellbeing across the County.

2.    To commit to working closely with partners in the public, private and voluntary sector to implement the strategy and positively impact on health outcomes for residents of Lincolnshire.

Decision

1.    That the document ‘The Role of District Councils in tackling Health Inequality and the Social Determinants of Health’ as a summary of the work undertaken by District Councils on the social determinants of health be noted.

2.    That the Lincolnshire Districts Health and Wellbeing Strategy as a document which provided the Council with the framework for improving health and wellbeing in Lincoln be adopted.

3.    That engagement in both the further development of this strategy and the delivery of the actions outlined be committed to in full.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reasons for the Decision

As part of the response to Covid-19 the seven Lincolnshire Districts developed a culture of working closely together to identify and address challenges. Since then, the Districts had continued to embed this collective approach to both strategic and operational issues, with a particular focus on the role of District councils in addressing health inequalities.

Lincolnshire district councils were committed to developing an ambitious agenda for improving health and wellbeing in Lincolnshire, focussed on:

·       a strategic, long-term approach to improving outcomes

·       a sense of opportunity and ambition - district collaboration

·       a holistic view based on social determinants

·       developing system leadership.

The 2021 Health and Care White Paper and establishment via the NHS of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) underlined the vital importance of health and care partners working together to focus on prevention and addressing the wider determinants of health.

District Councils were reflected in the governance arrangements for the ongoing development of the ICS and tackling health inequalities via membership on the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board and the Better Lives Lincolnshire Working Group. In addition, all district councils had active relationships with the relevant Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to support the successful delivery of action at a local level.

Districts were in a position, alongside partners, to take a proactive role at this pivotal stage for Lincolnshire in supporting the reshaping of policy, strategy and delivery and improving outcomes. Therefore in 2021 the seven districts collectively engaged PA Consulting to work alongside Leaders, Chief Executives and key officers in developing a county-wide District Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

There have been a number of key activities and early successes of the strategy as detailed within the officer’s report.

Note: Councillor Neil Murray joined proceedings at this stage.