Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence are noted above.

Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the Agenda, and if so, to formally declare that interest.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which the Board is responsible.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time, if required.

There were no public questions asked at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18^th March 2025 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th March 2025 be approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

Presentation support by Lee Buggie, Public health specialist and Francesca Vale, Public health Practitioner food and health

Lee Buggie, Public Health Specialist, and Francesca Vale, Public Health Practitioner, provided an update on various initiatives and achievements around the Food and Health Strategy. Francesca began by discussing the growth of the partnership, highlighting their award for the township, which was the first in Greater Manchester. She also mentioned their recognition in Westminster and shared insights from their visit to Copenhagen, where they learned about the city's educational program that ensures 90% of food is organic.

Francesca then moved on to discuss the implementation of auto-enrolment for free school meals, which has benefited 200 children. She emphasized the need to address thresholds and universal credit to further improve the program. David Catterall's role in overseeing the Greater Manchester market partnership was also highlighted, focusing on school catering and working with other markets across the region.

The Right to Grow campaign was introduced, aiming to utilize unused council land for community growing projects. Legal teams have drafted a lease agreement for community growing, and a community growing page has been created to map sites for groups to use. The Fast-Food Takeaway Matrix, part of their food health strategy, was discussed, providing recommendations for fast food takeaways based on specific criteria. The Licensing Matrix, which links to the Fast-Food Takeaway Matrix, was also mentioned as a tool for considering healthier options for takeaways.

During the Q&A session, Councillor Tariq thanked Francesca for her contributions and acknowledged the hard work of David Catterall and Andrew Cowen. He also mentioned an upcoming visit on the 8th and 9th of July to showcase their food partnership event.

Councillor Smith inquired about the criteria for the Right to Grow campaign and whether there is a limit on the number of approvals. Lee Buggie responded that it would depend on council resources and public liabilities. Councillor Smith also inquired about using non-green spaces for town centre regeneration, to which Lee replied that they are considering all applications and public liabilities. Councillor Smith requested the involvement of children and young people in future initiatives.

Will Blandamer thanked the presenters and emphasized the importance of linking their initiatives to health scrutiny and the free school meals program. Councillor Pilkington asked about the difference between the Right to Grow campaign and the Incredible Edible initiative. Francesca explained that the Right to Grow campaign is led by the same force behind Incredible Edible and aims to be more robust and sustainable.

Councillor Southworth inquired about the support available for these initiatives, while Councillor Fitzgerald discussed the food partnership's access to food from farms and the role of community groups in making meals with food from food banks.

Actions and Agreements:

• The update provided by Francesca Vale and Lee Buggie was noted and appreciated.
• Further exploration of the Right to Grow campaign's criteria and potential expansion to non-green spaces will be undertaken.
• The involvement of children and young people in future initiatives will be considered.
• Continued collaboration with partners in Stockport and Salford to improve the free school meals program.  ...  view the full minutes text for item HWB.105a

Gill Mirabitur Early Years Advisor to support this item

Gill Mirabitur Early Years Advisor delivered a presentation on the importance of early education, describing it as the “best part of life.” She provided an overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the process used to assess children’s development through the Early Years Profile, which informs the Good Level of Development (GLD) measure.

Gill emphasised the need for a whole-system approach, where all professionals across Bury take collective responsibility for improving outcomes for children, particularly in neighbourhoods facing greater challenges. She highlighted that while Bury has at times outperformed national averages in GLD, there remain significant disparities between groups particularly among boys, children with English as an Additional Language (EAL), and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The presentation included borough-wide data comparisons, showing year-on-year trends and the widening gender gap. Gill noted that EAL children often catch up by Key Stage 2, but early years outcomes remain a concern. She also acknowledged the complexity of data collection, as many children fall into multiple overlapping categories.

Councillor Tariq welcomed the presentation and shared a personal reflection on the stigma some families feel when sending children to early years settings. He raised concerns about the long-term cost implications for schools if early years gaps are not addressed. Gill agreed, noting that early intervention is both more effective and more economical than later remediation.

Councillor Fitzgerald expressed support for the progress made in Whitefield SEND provision and highlighted the value of local hubs in supporting EAL children. She referenced a school in her ward with 36 languages spoken and noted that while EAL children often catch up, poverty and other contextual factors must also be considered.

Councillor Smith raised the issue of school readiness, particularly for children whose parents return to work early. She stressed the importance of the first 1000 days of life and the need for coordinated support to ensure children are developmentally prepared for school.

Jon Hobday Director of Public Health acknowledged the volume of data available and emphasised that the evidence base for effective interventions is strong. He encouraged the Board to work together to ensure these interventions are implemented consistently across the system.

In response, Gill outlined ongoing work with GMCA, including support for multilingual children and the development of cultural capital training. She also referenced the EYAT model and the need to spotlight physical development as a key area for improvement.

It Was Agreed

·         The Board noted the presentation and thanked Gill Mirabitur for her comprehensive update.

·         It was agreed that a follow-up report and action plan would be brought back to the Board within six months, focusing on targeted support for EAL, SEND, and disadvantaged groups in early years settings.

Adrian Crook Director of Community Commissioning will support this item,

Adrian Crook, Director of Adult Social Services and Community Commissioning, provided an overview of the latest performance report. He has held the post since 2015 and outlined the scope of services delivered.

The report highlighted key performance metrics, including four measures related to avoidable admissions, where an algorithm narrowly missed the target by 10%. Intermediate care services also fell just short of the benchmark by 0.9%, though falls prevention met its target and was supported by a best practice case study.

Residential admissions have remained steady despite a 5% population growth, which is not currently reflected in departmental metrics. The urgent and school rapid response service, funded through the Better Care Fund (BCF), continues to be the busiest and highest performing, handling approximately 350 cases per month.

The Q4 performance and integrated reports were positively received, with input from eight external experts. Kath-Wynne Jones noted that indicators in specific areas are expected to improve before July. From 1st July, data will be refined to exclude certain cohorts, allowing for more accurate performance tracking.

Positive developments were also reported in dementia care, supported by the Pathway Data Frontrunner Programme, and the “Getting It Right First Time” initiative, which uses tailored metrics to monitor the flow of elderly patients. Fairfield Hospital was recognised as the top performer nationally in this area.

Councillor Pilkington emphasised the importance of embedding preventative measures across all services. The urgent care service, based at Textile Hall and limited to Bury residents, remains a key access point. Will Blandamer confirmed that site-specific data is available, and Dr. Fines reported a significant cultural shift, with staff now welcoming rapid response calls.

Kath Wynne Jones added that the borough is currently ranked second nationally in terms of performance, with a notable reduction in hospital deaths. A community event at Fairfield’s canteen was highlighted as an example of integrated support for primary care, helping to build confidence in delivering new models of care.

It Was Agreed

·         The report be noted

Steven Senior, Public Health Consultant, presented the Health Protection Annual Report, highlighting key achievements and ongoing challenges across infection control, vaccination, and environmental health. Over the past year, 77 common outbreaks were recorded, including COVID-19, flu, and D&V, with 16 outbreaks managed in care homes. A total of 90 outbreaks were reported overall, with additional isolated cases in schools.

The team has strengthened infection control through risk-based audits and joint visits with adult social care. Environmental monitoring, including air quality assessments near Pilsworth landfill, continues to ensure public safety. Templates are being developed to support care homes in managing Legionella risks.

Vaccination efforts were bolstered by a successful MMR catch-up campaign in response to a local outbreak. NHS GM secured 800 MMR doses, with 35% administered to residents from the most deprived areas, helping to reduce health inequalities. The Local Vaccine Assurance Group continues to support uptake, particularly among older adults.

Hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance are decreasing, supported by improved medicines optimisation. The report also noted the importance of maintaining capacity, with only 1.4 FTE staff currently delivering this essential work. Concerns were raised about potential staffing changes due to ICB restructuring.

It Was Agreed

·        
The Board noted the Health Protection Annual Report and acknowledged the significant work undertaken to protect public health across the borough.

Sophie French, Public Health Specialty Registrar to support his item

Sophie French, Public Health Registrar presented the sexual health needs assessment Bury ranks in the lower half nationally for several sexual health indicators. The assessment identified disparities in access, testing, and outcomes, with a focus on reducing inequalities and improving service delivery. Sophie discussed presented eight recommendations.

Eight Key Recommendations:

1. Align Stakeholders: Share the STI Prioritisation Framework to unify efforts, especially for underserved groups.
2. Promote Chlamydia Screening: Focus on women in deprived areas, ensuring consistent delivery across localities.
3. Introduce 4CMenB Vaccination: Prevent up to 40% of gonorrhoea cases through targeted immunisation.
4. Boost HPV Vaccination Uptake: Restore pre-pandemic levels, leveraging the streamlined school-age schedule.
5. Support DoxyPEP Use: Increase confidence among clinicians and patients with updated guidance for high-risk groups.
6. Expand Mpox Vaccination: Scale up routine vaccination as supply grows, improving prescribing practices.
7. Raise Shigellosis Awareness: Target GBMSM communities, including trans women and marginalised groups.
8. Continue Opt-Out HIV Testing: Maintain implementation across ORB and oversee related immunisation programmes.

Cllr Pilkington raised concerns about digital access and testing coverage, noting commissioning complexities.

Will Blandamer & Jon Hobday praise the report’s clarity and ambition, with Jon stressing the need for funding to support implementation.

It Was Agreed

·         The Board noted the assessment and endorsed further work to explore implementation and funding opportunities.

There are no items for consideration under this quadrant.

Will Blandamer Executive Director, Health and Adult Care

and Deputy Place Lead - NHS GM, to support this item

Will Blandamer, Executive Director of Health and Adult Care and Deputy Place Lead for NHS Greater Manchester, introduced the item by highlighting the significant progress Bury has made in developing its neighbourhood working model. Each of the five neighbourhoods is increasingly working in a collaborative and integrated way, with strong relationships forming across services. An emerging model of family hubs is taking shape, aligning with the national NHS direction of travel towards multi-disciplinary public service delivery.

The voluntary, community, and faith sector (VCFA) continues to play a crucial role in this transformation. There is growing capacity and momentum within the VCFA, supported by initiatives such as the Bury Fund and broader public service reform efforts. Bury is seen as being well advanced in this space, with its approach aligning closely with the Greater Manchester vision for integrated care and community empowerment.

A key development is the “Live Well” model, part of Andy Burnham’s public service reform agenda. Each locality is invited to define its own Live Well approach, supported by a £10 million investment fund. This model combines advice, guidance, and community strengthening, and Bury is actively working through its options to shape a localised version of Live Well that reflects its strengths and priorities.

Helen Tomlinson from the VCFA shared insights from other boroughs and emphasised that Bury’s approach, while distinct, can build on this learning. She highlighted the importance of not just having a central hub, but also ensuring that the surrounding “spokes” including faith-based and community spaces are supported and aligned. The VCFA is well placed to complement and enhance the Live Well offer, and there is a strong emphasis on ensuring that community voice is embedded in the model.

Councillor Fitzgerald queried whether the £10 million Live Well investment is a one-off or recurring fund. Helen responded that further clarification is needed, particularly around whether funding can be carried over and how different aspects of the fund might be leveraged to create additional social value. Councillor Tariq added that the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, led by Andy Burnham, is committed to playing a leading role in transforming lives through this initiative.

It Was Agreed

·         The report be noted

Jon Hobday, Director of Public Health to provide a verbal update.

Jon Hobday, Director of Public Health, provided an update from the Greater Manchester Population Health Board.

It was agreed:

That the update be noted.

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business.