NHS England
Councils are currently discussing the future funding of specific health services and addressing long waiting lists for neurodivergent assessments.
Kensington and Chelsea Council recently urged NHS England, the national health service for England, to secure long-term funding for the Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service beyond 2027, following a cross-party plea in October 2026. Concurrently, Croydon Council's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee heard in October 2026 about persistent long waits for neurodivergent assessments within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which are largely managed by NHS England.
In August 2026, Brent Health Board noted a £1.3 million overspend on its Better Care Fund for the 2025-26 financial year, primarily due to increased community equipment costs, with the West and North London Integrated Care Board funding the deficit. Richmond Council's Health and Wellbeing Board also adopted a renewed focus on preventative measures and tackling health inequalities in October 2026.
The North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) is set to merge with the North London ICB on 1 April 2026, creating a single organisation for strategic commissioning across 13 London boroughs, a development examined by Kensington and Chelsea's Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee in November 2025. Redbridge Council is also implementing a SEND improvement plan in response to Ofsted findings from May 2025, which identified 'systematic failures' in the borough's SEND partnership, including the North East London Integrated Care Board.
Key facts
- Kensington and Chelsea Council passed a motion in October 2026 urging the NHS to ensure long-term funding for the Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service beyond 2027. Source
- Croydon's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee heard in October 2026 about long waits for neurodivergent assessments in CAMHS. Source
- Brent Health Board reported a £1.3 million overspend on its Better Care Fund for the 2025-26 financial year in August 2026. Source
- The North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) is set to merge with the North London ICB on 1 April 2026. Source
- Ofsted found 'widespread and/or systematic failures' in Redbridge's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) partnership in May 2025, requiring a Priority Action Plan. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 22 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.