Agenda and minutes

To welcome all to the meeting, introduction and receive apologies.

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.

Apologies were noted as above.

The Chair welcomed Helen Coombes, the recently appointed Executive Director of Adult Services, Lancashire County Council, having replaced Louise Taylor who had retired since the last Board meeting in November 2024.

The Board noted that Dave Carr, Policy, Commissioning and Children's Health, Lancashire County Council had replaced Jacqui Old, Education and Children's Services for this meeting.

The Chair welcomed Zoe Swithenbank, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University who was observing the meeting as part of a research study.  The title of the project is "An analysis of how local public health systems interact with complex policy initiatives addressing social and health inequalities" and the meeting had been identified as one which would help to illuminate how the systems within which public health functions address health inequalities.

Members of the Board are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

There were no disclosures of interest in relation to items appearing on the agenda.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:  That the Board agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2024.

To receive an overview of the work and reach of Lancashire Adult Learning (LAL) across the Lancashire 12 districts and evidence of the significant impact adults who engage in the wide-ranging curriculum experience.

Nicola Hall and Sarah Haworth, Lancashire Adult Learning (Part of the Nelson and Colne College Group) provided an overview of the work and reach of Lancashire Adult Learning across the Lancashire 12 districts and evidenced the significant impact adults who engage in the wide-ranging curriculum experience. 

The Board were introduced to four learners who are currently undertaking some of the courses provided (and have previously accessed courses) by Lancashire Adult Learning and who wanted to share their own experiences of learning and how it has helped to improve their health and wellbeing.  One of the learners had accessed support from Inspire, further to introduction by Lancashire Adult Learning, which has helped immensely. Other learners spoke about the support of the teachers and the service, reducing isolation, increasing confidence and helping participation in the local community. 

The report highlighted the value of the learning and skills opportunities, and received a presentation as appended to the minutes:

The Board noted that in 2024, Lancashire Adult Learning delivered 2259 courses across Lancashire, which included 510 courses online and are delivered in partnership with different organisations who have access to learners who need diverse types of provision.

In particular Lancashire Adult Learning can design and deliver courses to meet identified need and is not constrained by the current curriculum.

Lancashire Adult Learning engages with the Library Service, currently delivering courses in 53 establishments, focussing on health and wellbeing and family learning.  The courses are generally fully subscribed, and the delivery is in the heart of the communities, accessible and meets the needs of those borrowers/learners who live within that community.

The Board congratulated Lancashire Adult Learning who has recently been identified as the number one Adult Learner College in England.

Following the presentation, the following comments were made:

• It was inspiring to see services working together in supporting people with the most needs in Lancashire to turn their lives around.
• Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board were asked to spread the word about the work that Lancashire Adult Learning does across Lancashire.
• The current Library project now engages with 2,500 learners and commenced from a small opportunity of seven courses and 35 learners.  Lancashire Adult Learning are also connected with the Family Hubs and work strategically with them across Lancashire.
• Lancashire Adult Learning can provide courses for those accessing support from other local services.  All tailored learning is free and some qualifications through those services are also free. Lancashire Adult Learning is keen to work more strategically with those local partners.
• There are several partners that Lancashire Adult Learning currently has a strategic relationship with, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust.

Resolved:   That the Health and Wellbeing Board:

(i)  Recognised the crucial role Lancashire Adult Learning plays in reducing health inequalities, improving the determinants of health and increasing opportunities and aspirations for adults across Lancashire.

(ii)  Reviewed the links between Lancashire Adult Learning, the work of the board and its member and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive a brief summary and progress updates on some key pieces of work taking place under the Better Care Fund framework and discuss.

Jane Cass, Partnerships and Collaboration, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Chair of the Lancashire Better Care Fund Board and Sue Lott, Urgent Care, Acute and Prisons, Adult Social Care, Lancashire County Council provided a  brief summary and progress updates on work taking place under the Better Care Fund framework.

The report has been prepared on behalf of the Chair of the Lancashire Better Care Fund Board for the Health and Wellbeing Board, containing details of:

·  Lancashire Better Care Fund Quarter 3 Submission

·  Lancashire Quarter 3 Finance Report

·  Lancashire Better Care Fund Reset Progress: Support Offer Projects

Ø  Intermediate Care Demand and Capacity Modelling

·  Integrated Care System Better Care Fund Review Project

·  Facilitated Support to Find a Solution

·  Lancashire Better Care Fund Board

·  Equipment and Adaptations

Discussion following the presentation identified that it is important for the Board to receive the outcomes and recommendations from the BCF review at the earliest opportunity.

The 2025/26 BCF planning guidance had not been released yet. 

Resolved:  That the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board:

(i)  Confirmed that the better Care Fund Review undertaken by 31ten be discussed at the March Board.

(ii)  Noted the ongoing work to collate the information required for the Quarter 3 submission will be shared with members at the March Board.

An item of Urgent Business may only be considered under this heading, where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Members' intention to raise a matter under this heading.

There was not any other business received.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held at 2.15pm on 11 March 2025, Clayton Brook Village Hall.

A joint workshop with Lancashire Place Partnership will take place prior to the meeting at 1.00pm.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held on 11 March 2025 at 2.15pm, Clayton Brook Village Hall, Clayton Brook, Clayton-le-Woods, Bamber Bridge PR5 8HL.  Prior to the meeting on the same date, there will be a joint informal workshop between the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board and the Lancashire Place Partnership at 1.00pm.