Chairs Update

v  Better Care Fund (bcf)– Noted the planning requirements were published at the end of September 2021 with the submission date on the 16th of November 2021. The expectation is that regional assurance will then take place between the 16th of November 2021 and the 7th of December 2021. The outcome of regional assurance will then be shared on the 7th of December, 2021 with formal approval letters issued from the 11th of January, 2022 the Board had quite an extensive discussion about this at the last meeting and Members all recognised that the Better Care Fund is a real is an opportunity for the Health and Well-Being Board Partners and the Towerhamlets Together  Partnership to really drive integration there is an expectation that the Section 75 agreements will be signed and in place by the 31st of January, 2022. The biggest change for this year is the metrics which now focus on avoidable admissions; length of stay; discharged to normal place of residence and residential admissions.

v  The Board was reminded that it had undertaken a review the local BCF scheme earlier in the year and the Section 75 proposals do reflect this. It was noted that whilst there is a requirement for the local Health and Well-Being Boards to sign off local plans, as the next Board meeting is not now scheduled until the 1^{st of} February 2022 the current approach is for there to be a delegated signed off by Denise Radley Corporate Director Health, Adults and Community and Deputy Chief Executive and Siobhan Harper from Northeast London (NEL) CCG. Although the Chair will review the BCF proposals before they are submitted on the 16^{th of} November 2021 this is as mentioned above a delegated submission by the Corporate Director Health, Adults and Community and Deputy Chief Executive on behalf of the Board.

v  Adult Social Care Strategy 2021 – It was noted that the Board is developing a new strategy in adult social care that will set out the plans over the next 3-5 years, outlining what will be done differently and what difference it will make. The Strategy has gone through a very extensive engagement and co-production process in the run up to publication and this strategy is now being finalised and will be launched in the coming weeks. The Chair stated that she hoped that everybody present had, had a chance to feed into the process, but she will ensure that the Board will see the consultation proposals and if Members have not yet read the draft that when they review the document they will agree that all the issues are covered although if Members wish to raise any issues then they should get in touch immediately.

v  Board Terms of Reference – Noted that due to changes in NHS structures and ways of working within the current pandemic has warranted an interim review of the current Health and Wellbeing Boards Terms of Reference. With a view to taking a more in-depth review as to how the Board are organised following the establishment  of the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Partnership in 2022 and to really energize some of those structures  Accordingly, the Board will undertake this light touch review now and by the next municipal year there would be an in-depth refresh on how the Board is be organised going forward.

v  Community Champions - Noted a Community Champions will be recruited and work is ongoing to identify a community champion to join the Board.

v  2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference – Noted that the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference was being held Glasgow, Scotland and it has been suggested as Health and Well-Being Board could show their support to the development of climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems by submitting a letter to COP26.