Lewisham's Health and Wellbeing Board has agreed to significant changes in its membership and terms of reference, aimed at enhancing its effectiveness and inclusivity. The updates, approved at a meeting on Monday, 14 September 2026, follow insights from a July 2026 governance workshop which identified the need for clearer, more proportionate arrangements that bring the right people together to support the Board's core purpose, especially as health and care arrangements evolve.
Key among the changes is the addition of a housing directorate officer representative. This move is intended to strengthen the Board's ability to consider health across the Council's wider work, recognising housing as a key determinant of health and wellbeing. This representation will directly address issues related to the impact of housing on health and wellbeing, as outlined in the Lewisham Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025–2030.
Representation from the voluntary and community sector has also been strengthened, with specific requests for input from Lewisham Black Voluntary Network, Age UK, and Lewisham Local. This is designed to bolster voluntary sector input and provide wider community insight across the Board's work.
Voting rights have been clarified to ensure all members, with the exception of paid council officials, can vote. The quorum has been set at two elected members and two partner representatives. Furthermore, substitutes will now be formally permitted to attend and vote with advance notice. This change aims to provide continuity of organisational representation and make the existing informal practice clearer and more transparent, aligning with the Council's existing constitutional approach where substitutes can vote if attending in place of a voting member.
Flexibility has also been introduced regarding the Mayor's membership. The wording has been amended from The Mayor and such councillors as they may appoint
to The Mayor and/or such councillors as they may appoint.
This allows the Mayor the option to serve as a member, appoint other councillors, or both.
These updates are expected to enhance the Board's effectiveness and inclusivity, making its governance arrangements clearer, more proportionate, and better aligned to its role as a place-based partnership providing collective leadership on health and wellbeing in Lewisham. The anticipated tangible benefits include a broader understanding of factors affecting health and wellbeing and a more comprehensive approach to addressing them.
Further details on the updated terms of reference can be found in the Public reports pack.