To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Anna Coles (who was represented by Lee Baxter), Pat Harris, Tara Harris, Paul Northcott, Simon Tapley (who was represented by Chris Winfield), Pat Teague and Councillor David Thomas.

Karen Barry, Vice-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board chaired the meeting in the absence of the Chair, Councillor David Thomas. 

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 4 December 2025

The minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 4 December 2025 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Vice-Chair.

No interests were declared.

To note the response to consultation and endorse the post consultation Strategy document for Council approval.

The Board received an update on the responses to consultation on the Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026 – 2030.

The Board noted that the consultation had taken place during January and February 2026, the 112 responses received with comments from the consultation analysed, and the key findings were summarised within the submitted report.  The Board was advised that the Strategy aligned with the Devon Health & Care Strategy, the Torbay Community and Corporate Plan, and the Adult Social Care Strategy.

Members discussed the need for regular spotlight sessions on key themes, an annual review of priority areas, the development of an action plan to monitor delivery of the Strategy, and the importance of agreeing a joint narrative to promote both the Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Devon Health & Care Strategy.

Resolved by consensus:

That the Health and Wellbeing Board note the responses to the consultation and endorse the final version of the Torbay Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for submission to Council for approval.

To review and ratify the One Devon Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan for 2026-2031.

The Public Health Consultant, Julia Chisnell and Public Health Practitioner, Olivia Jones, presented the submitted Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2026 – 2031 report and provided an update to the Board.

The Board noted that around 20 people die by suicide in Torbay each year, although data remained up to two years behind due to delays with the coroner service. 

Members were updated on progress against local priority areas including the increased awareness of available support (including the Torbay Community Helpline), addressing Torbay’s risk factors for suicide, and building on the success of the Baton of Hope 2025.  The event had involved strong community participation, wide partnership working, and generated positive feedback and increased public awareness.

Legacy actions included strengthening community connections, strengthening support for children and young people, partnership development, increasing training and support for local organisations, and developing peer support networks.

Devon?wide collaborative activity continued, including real time suicide surveillance and suicide bereavement support.

Resolved by consensus:

The Board noted and ratified the Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2026–2031.

To note the Neighbourhood Health Development Programme.          

The Board received an update on the submitted report on the Neighbourhood Health Development Programme in the South Local Care Partnership.

Members were advised that final national guidance had yet been issued on neighbourhood health plans, which would be overseen by Health and Wellbeing Boards.  However, NHS Devon, with partners, had been developing an implementation process for neighbourhood health and integrated neighbourhood teams, with wide collaboration across statutory, voluntary and community sectors. 

National frameworks were still in development, and locally Torbay and Devon were progressing work across all service areas, supported by emerging governance structures.  A draft Neighbourhood Health Prospectus was being prepared to provide a shared framework, and a Neighbourhood Development Maturity Matrix had been circulated to stakeholders for feedback.  A workshop was planned for 30 June 2026 for Health and Wellbeing Board members and wider partners to review progress in the creation of neighbourhood plans and consider the role of the Board in their development and oversight. 

Resolved by consensus:

Members noted the progress made to date towards the Neighbourhood Health Development Programme.

To note the quarterly monitoring report.

The Board received an update on the submitted Torbay Better Care Fund 2025 – 2026 Quarter 3 monitoring report.

Emergency admissions remained off track, as they had been since May 2025, and updates were provided on ongoing programmes aimed at reducing avoidable admissions, improving navigation and offering alternatives to emergency departments, increasing community?based support, and targeting people through rapid response teams.

An improvement plan had been requested from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, which would be monitored through the Better Care Fund (BCF).

The BCF target for discharge delay for each month of the 2025/26 financial year is to achieve 89% of adult patients discharged from acute hospitals on their discharge ready date.  Torbay has exceeded this target throughout the year.

It was noted that the BCF target of 74 people per quarter entering long?term care had been met in Quarter 1 and performance was better than the set target in Quarter 2 and 3.  Whilst achieving the local BCF target and improvements are being made Torbay continues to have high numbers in long?term bed?based care.

Financially, the programme expected to spend approximately 75% of its allocation by the end of Quarter 3; however, year?to?date expenditure as of December 2025 was £21,083,874 against a £30,268,205 budget.

Resolved by consensus:

That the Torbay Better Care Fund 2025 – 2026 Quarter 3 report be approved.